Windows 7 Desktop tips and tricks

Desktop tips and tricks

The short time it takes you to organize your desktop can save you time and help make your computing experience simpler and more pleasant.

Move program shortcuts to the Quick Launch toolbar

Many people keep program‌ shortcuts on their desktop, but open windows can block your view of the desktop.
 The Quick Launch toolbar solves this problem because it is on the taskbar,
 which is visible even when you have windows open. For example,
if you’ve added a web browser shortcut to the Quick Launch toolbar and you are working in a document,
 you don't have to minimize the document window to open the web browser.
 Instead, you can click the web browser icon on the Quick Launch toolbar.

Quick Launch toolbar

For more information, see Add or remove the Quick Launch toolbar or Taskbar: recommended links.

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Organize files and programs on the Start menu

On the Start menu, you can find shortcuts for programs you've used recently.
And, if you want to keep a program shortcut in one place so you can always find it
 you can pin it to the Start menu.

Start menu

To pin a program icon to the Start menu

You can find files, documents, folders, and other items you've been working with recently
in Recent Items on the Start menu.

To find recent items on the Start menu

1. Click the Start button .
2. Point to Recent Items. Files you've worked with recently should appear in the list.

For more information, see Add or remove Recent Items on the Start menu and Customize the Start menu.

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Don't store files on the desktop

To improve your computer's performance and find files more easily, it's best to store files
 in the Documents folder rather than on the desktop.

To access files from your desktop, create a desktop shortcut instead. For more information,
 see Create or delete a shortcut.