Windows 7 Quick Launch Bar: Grouping Shortcuts

Enhancing Application Launching with Free Launch Bar

The Quick Launch Bar serves as a convenient mechanism for swiftly initiating applications. However, a heavily populated Quick Launch Bar can become disorganized, lacking the ability to rearrange shortcuts or categorize them effectively.

In Windows 7, the Quick Launch Bar is, by default, hidden. It can be readily added to the Taskbar for easy access. Alternative launcher tools, such as those residing in the Windows system tray, offer similar functionality.

Introducing Free Launch Bar

Free Launch Bar is a utility designed to enhance the Quick Launch Bar by enabling shortcut grouping, along with the addition of titles, separators, and submenus. It maintains full compatibility with the standard Windows Quick Launch Bar, utilizing the same folder for shortcut storage.

Installation Process

To install Free Launch Bar, begin by extracting the downloaded .zip file. Subsequently, execute the appropriate file – either the 32-bit or 64-bit version – based on your Windows installation.

If prompted by User Account Control, confirm the action by clicking Yes. Note that this dialog may not appear depending on your UAC settings.

The setup wizard will greet you with a Welcome screen. Proceed by clicking Next.

Review the License Agreement and indicate your acceptance by clicking I Agree to continue the installation.

The Choose Components screen presents no optional selections; simply click Next to proceed.

The Choose Install Location screen allows you to specify the installation directory. Accepting the default location is recommended. Click Install to begin the installation process.

A progress indicator will display the installation status. Upon completion, a Quick Start Guide will appear. Click Next when ready to continue.

The Completing the Free Launch Bar Setup Wizard screen signifies the end of the installation. Click Finish to close the wizard.

Configuring and Using Free Launch Bar

As outlined in the Quick Start Guide, initiate Free Launch Bar by right-clicking on the Taskbar and selecting Toolbars | Free Launch Bar from the context menu.

By default, the Quick Launch Bar will appear as a toolbar on the Taskbar.

To create a new group or folder, right-click anywhere on the bar and select New | Menu. This menu also provides options for inserting separators and creating new shortcuts.

Enter a name for the new menu in the provided field. Accept the default settings by clicking Finish, or customize them by clicking Next.

First, select the desired View Mode. We selected the Default option. Click Next.

Choose the icon size for the menu. We opted for Small icons. Click Finish.

The newly created menu will initially be empty. Populate it by dragging and dropping shortcuts from other locations on the Quick Launch Bar.

Shortcuts can also be dragged directly from the desktop into the new menu.

NOTE: To duplicate a shortcut to both the desktop and the Quick Launch Bar, hold down the Ctrl key while dragging.

Customization Options

You can rename any shortcut on the Quick Launch Bar, regardless of its group affiliation. Right-click the shortcut and select Rename.

The Enter name dialog box will appear. Enter the new name and click OK.

Add titles to indicate groups within a group. Titles function as separators with accompanying text. Right-click above the desired title location and select New | Title.

Enter the title text in the dialog box and click OK.

Free Launch Bar offers further customization through its settings. Right-click on any part of the Quick Launch Bar and select FLB Settings.

The Settings dialog box provides access to various options, including tip styles. To disable tips, click Tips and then Disable tips. Alternatively, choose a different tip style, such as Balloon tips.

Assign hotkeys to shortcuts by right-clicking and selecting Hot key.

Enter the desired hotkey in the Button key edit box and click OK.

The hotkey will be displayed next to the shortcut and in the tips (if enabled).

Manage hotkeys on the Settings dialog box by clicking Hotkeys in the menu.

Adjust any other desired settings and click OK to save your changes.

Toggling Free Launch Bar

To temporarily disable Free Launch Bar, right-click on the Taskbar and select Toolbars | Free Launch Bar (without ellipses). To re-enable it, select the option with ellipses.

NOTE: The Free Launch Bar option will replace the standard Quick Launch Bar option in the Toolbars submenu.

Download Free Launch Bar from http://www.freelaunchbar.com/.

A paid version, True Launch Bar, offers additional features like plugins, skins, and virtual folder support. However, Free Launch Bar provides sufficient functionality for basic shortcut grouping and organization, allowing for unlimited groups and submenu levels.