Windows 11 Quick Launch -

Windows 11 Quick Launch: How to Bring Back the Classic Toolbar (and Better Alternatives)

If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11 from Windows 10, 7, or XP, you might be looking for a familiar friend: the Quick Launch toolbar. That small area next to the Start button, where you could one-click launch apps like Chrome, Explorer, or Spotify without pinning them to the taskbar.

Pro Tips for Quick Launch Efficiency

1. Keyboard Shortcuts (The Fastest Launch) Windows 11 automatically assigns keyboard shortcuts to the first 10 icons pinned to your taskbar. windows 11 quick launch

⚠️ Limitation: Windows 11’s taskbar is less customizable than Windows 10’s. You may not be able to move the Quick Launch perfectly to the far left, and the "unlock taskbar" option is missing in standard Windows 11 22H2 and newer. Windows 11 Quick Launch: How to Bring Back

I want the old Show Desktop button next to Quick Launch.
Press Win + D or click the very thin, invisible strip at the far-right end of the taskbar (it still works). I want the old Show Desktop button next to Quick Launch