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Create handy shortcut menus on your Windows taskbar

This trick works in Windows XP, Vista, and 7 (to my knowledge—it might work in earlier versions, too).

I thought this was a newbie tip, but a lot of people come into my office and point to my shortcut folders on my taskbar, wondering how the heck I did it. Here's how.

1. Create one or more folders on your desktop (actually they can go anywhere but the desktop seems to be the easiest way to do this). Give them fairly short names (I use 'Apps' and 'Games').
2. Right click on an empty area of your taskbar, and choose Toolbars > New Toolbar.



3. Browse to one of the folders you just created on your desktop and click Select Folder.
4. You can repeat this process as many times as you want.

Now you can start placing shortcuts to all of your frequently used applications & games in your newly-created folders. These shortcuts will automatically show up in your new shortcut menus.

Ahhhh...only nine icons on my desktop. It's a beautiful thing.

You can also add sub-folders (like I did; see my first image above) to further organize your shortcut menus. This keeps your desktop clean and ... let's just face it, takes your nerdiness to the next level.

Related posts:

1. Some of my favorite Windows keyboard shortcut keys
2. Fixing Windows 7 Aero Snap feature with dual / multiple monitors
3. Q&A: Why does Windows report less hard drive space than my computer actually has?
4. Can’t find the ‘Snipping Tool’ in Windows Vista? Read this.