I've used Quick Launch for several years, since it came out in Windows XP (I think). Someone here was kind enough to point me to creating the Programs toolbar. And, although mention has been given both of these toolbars, I've noticed quite a few new folks lately, so I thought I'd point them to the easy way. Especially since everyone misses the old Start Menu.
Also there's a "rep" button you can choose if you want to add something nice for the author(s) of these toolbars.
Note that I have Windows 8.1 installed and Microsoft's excuse for a start menu is first in line . . . that's OK, better than the Windows 8 way to get there. After that, there's Programs and then Quick Launch.
To install the Programs Toolbar, first, unlock the Taskbar, then follow the instructions in this link: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2460-start-menu-toolbar-create-windows-8-taskbar.html to create your Programs Toolbar. I didn't go all the way to "startmenu". I stopped at Programs. Programs is all the way over to the right (it was in mine anyway). Grab the handle (triple line of vertical dots) and pull it all the way over to the left, right next to Microsoft's link to Metro. Go to the other side and push everything all the way over to the left until only Programs and >> are showing. You can now lock the Taskbar, or if you want to keep going . . .
To install Quick Launch, unlock the Taskbar, then follow the instructions in this link: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5069-quick-launch-add-taskbar-windows-8-a.html. Instructions are given to move Quick Launch to where you want it.
With a little effort, these two toolbars along with Microsoft's excuse for a Start Button will be all you need. All my installed programs are on the Programs bar and those I use most are kept on Quick Launch which is even faster (but not by much) than the Programs bar.
Also there's a "rep" button you can choose if you want to add something nice for the author(s) of these toolbars.
Note that I have Windows 8.1 installed and Microsoft's excuse for a start menu is first in line . . . that's OK, better than the Windows 8 way to get there. After that, there's Programs and then Quick Launch.
To install the Programs Toolbar, first, unlock the Taskbar, then follow the instructions in this link: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2460-start-menu-toolbar-create-windows-8-taskbar.html to create your Programs Toolbar. I didn't go all the way to "startmenu". I stopped at Programs. Programs is all the way over to the right (it was in mine anyway). Grab the handle (triple line of vertical dots) and pull it all the way over to the left, right next to Microsoft's link to Metro. Go to the other side and push everything all the way over to the left until only Programs and >> are showing. You can now lock the Taskbar, or if you want to keep going . . .
To install Quick Launch, unlock the Taskbar, then follow the instructions in this link: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5069-quick-launch-add-taskbar-windows-8-a.html. Instructions are given to move Quick Launch to where you want it.
With a little effort, these two toolbars along with Microsoft's excuse for a Start Button will be all you need. All my installed programs are on the Programs bar and those I use most are kept on Quick Launch which is even faster (but not by much) than the Programs bar.
My Computer
System One
-
- OS
- Windows 8.1
- Computer type
- PC/Desktop
- System Manufacturer/Model
- HP Pavilion 500-056
- CPU
- AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
- Memory
- 8 GB
- Graphics Card(s)
- AMD Radeon HD 8570D
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Acer 23"
- Screen Resolution
- 1920 X 1080
- Hard Drives
- 1 TB
- Keyboard
- Logitech Wave K350
- Mouse
- Logitech M510
- Internet Speed
- Fast
- Browser
- Firefox
- Antivirus
- Windows Defender