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How to Add Start Tiles to the Taskbar in Windows 8

The Desktop mode on Windows 8 retains the taskbar which allows you to create shortcuts to programs that you use frequently. It's functionality can give you an advantage with the ability to pin internet links, media as well as provide a...
Method 1 of 5:

Pinning a Modern App to the Taskbar

  1. How to Add Start Tiles to the Taskbar in Windows 8 Picture 1How to Add Start Tiles to the Taskbar in Windows 8 Picture 1
    Switch to the Modern user interface. Press the ⊞ Win key on the keyboard or click on the Windows icon on the taskbar to open the Modern user interface.[1] The Modern interface features applications and features unique to Windows 8.
  2. How to Add Start Tiles to the Taskbar in Windows 8 Picture 2How to Add Start Tiles to the Taskbar in Windows 8 Picture 2
    Pin a Modern app tile to the taskbar. Right click on a tile to bring up a menu. Click on 'Pin to taskbar' to pin a shortcut of the Modern application to your taskbar.
  3. How to Add Start Tiles to the Taskbar in Windows 8 Picture 3How to Add Start Tiles to the Taskbar in Windows 8 Picture 3
    Click on the icon on the taskbar to start the application. When you return to the Desktop mode, your application will immediately appear on the taskbar. Clicking on the icon will start the program.
Method 2 of 5:

Pinning an Application or a Shortcut to the Taskbar

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    Drag an icon to the taskbar. In Desktop mode, you are able to obtain a taskbar shortcut from either the Desktop or the File Explorer. Click and hold onto an icon of an application or shortcut then drag it over the taskbar and release the mouse button to create a shortcut on the taskbar.
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    Pin a shortcut or application from the Desktop or File Explorer. Right click on an application or shortcut from the Desktop or from File Explorer to open up a menu then click on 'Pin to taskbar' to have the shortcut appear on the taskbar.
  3. How to Add Start Tiles to the Taskbar in Windows 8 Picture 6How to Add Start Tiles to the Taskbar in Windows 8 Picture 6
    Pin media to an application. Specialty programs such as media players will allow you to pin shortcuts to files for quick access. Locate a file of a specific format format then click and drag the file onto a compatible application. Right click the application to show the list of pinned media files.
Method 3 of 5:

Pinning the File Explorer to the Taskbar

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    Use the search function. The File Explorer, previously known as File Manager, allows you to browse files on your computer. Starting File Explorer gives you shortcuts to your removable media, hard drives and disk drives. There are two ways to bring up the search system.
    1. If you are on Desktop mode, click on the Windows icon or press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard to bring up the Modern user interface. In the top right corner of the screen, click on the magnifying glass to bring up the search function.
    2. Move your mouse to the bottom right of the screen to bring up the Charms Bar. Click on the magnifying glass icon to bring up the search option.
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    Search for the File Explorer program. Type in 'File Explorer' to bring up the File Explorer application.
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    Pin the File Explorer to the desktop. Right click on the File Explorer search result and choose 'Pin to taskbar' to have it appear on the taskbar.[2]
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    Pin a folder to the File Explorer shortcut. Click and hold over a folder then drag the folder over the File Explorer icon. Right click the File Explorer icon to bring up the list of pinned folders.
    1. This method does not allow you to pin a folder onto the taskbar separately.
    2. You can unpin a folder shortcut by right clicking on the File Explorer icon then clicking on the pin icon that corresponds to the link you want to remove.
Method 4 of 5:

Pinning a Toolbar to the Taskbar

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    Pin a toolbar to the taskbar. A toolbar acts as a folder and you are able to choose from presets or a specified folder of your choice. Right click on an empty space on the taskbar then click on 'Toolbars.' Select one of the presets or choose 'New toolbar' to browse for a folder on your computer. Browse for a folder you would like to convert into a Toolbar then click on 'Select Folder.'[3]
    1. There are also specialty toolbars including the address bar. The Address toolbar acts as a shortcut for opening your default web browser and allows you to type in a URL then press ↵ Enter to open your desired web address.
  2. How to Add Start Tiles to the Taskbar in Windows 8 Picture 12How to Add Start Tiles to the Taskbar in Windows 8 Picture 12
    Expand and contract a toolbar. Click and hold onto either the grip or the name of the toolbar and drag left or right to expand or contract the toolbar. Expanding the toolbar to the left will show icons within the folder. Double clicking the grip or name will cause it to expand and contract quickly without having to drag the toolbar.
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    Customize the toolbar. You are able to change attributes of the toolbar. Right click on the toolbar to show a menu to change attributes of the toolbar.
    1. Clicking on 'View' will let the icons in the folder appear large or small.
    2. Click on 'Show Text' to show or hide the text of the icons that appear when the toolbar is expanded.
    3. Click on 'Show title' to show or hide the name of the toolbar or folder.
    4. Click on 'Open Folder' to open the contents of the folder in File Explorer.
    5. Click on 'Close toolbar' to remove the toolbar from the taskbar.
Method 5 of 5:

Pinning Internet Explorer Links to the Taskbar

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    Open Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer allows you to place bookmarks on your taskbar to have quick access to websites or web applications you use frequently. You can search for the Internet Explorer application in the Modern user interface by pressing the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard or clicking on the Windows icon. Click on the Internet Explorer application.
    1. If you do not see the application you can search for the web browser by clicking on the magnifying glass in the top right corner then typing in 'Internet Explorer' and clicking on the application to start the web browser.
    2. Internet Explorer will need to open in Desktop mode and not in Modern mode. To make sure it opens in Desktop mode, open the Modern UI. In the top right corner click on the magnifying glass to search for 'Internet Options' and click on the matching result. In the new window, click on the Programs tab. Under the 'Opening in Internet Explorer' section, make sure the drop down is set to 'Always in Internet Explorer on the desktop' and place a check mark next to 'Open Internet Explorer tiles on the desktop' then click on 'OK.'
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    Pin the website link to the taskbar. There are two ways to pin a bookmark on the taskbar.
    1. Click and drag the website's tab of the Internet Explorer window to the taskbar. Release the mouse button to place the link on the taskbar.[4]
    2. Click and drag the icon of the website from the address bar to the taskbar. Release the mouse button to place the link on the taskbar.
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    Pin the website link to the Internet Explorer taskbar icon. You can pin a link or bookmark to the Internet Explorer taskbar icon without placing a separate icon for the bookmark. You can perform this in two ways. Right click the Internet Explorer icon to show a list of pinned websites.
    1. Click and drag a bookmark over the Internet Explorer icon.
    2. Click and drag the website icon from the address bar over the Internet Explorer icon.
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