Windows 8: Using and Creating Desktop Toolbars

Windows 8 desktop mode still provides Toolbar support in the Taskbar. This feature allows adding additional functionality to the taskbar by adding any of the four built-in toolbars or allowing for the creation of a custom one.

To enable or disable the toolbar functionality, use the context menu in the taskbar.

• Right-click the taskbar, and select Toolbars in the pop-up menu.  From here you can select one of the built-in toolbars, or create a custom one based on links in a folder.
• Below is a list of the built-in toolbars: 
• Address: Use this toolbar to open up URLs, or run commands (such as CMD.EXE) from the taskbar.  Works similar to the Run... command (WinKey + R).
• Links: Provides quick access to the Internet Explorer Favorites (e.g. bookmarks).
• Touch keyboard: Provides access to the Windows on-screen keyboard.
• Desktop: Provides quick access to shortcuts, folders and files on the desktop.

To create a custom toolbar:

• Right-click the taskbar, and select Toolbars > New toolbar... in the pop-up menu.  
• When the file dialog appears, select a folder that contains shortcuts, documents, applications, or even other folders that you want to access via this feature.
• Press the Select Folder button.

The new toolbar will be available in the right-hand part of the taskbar.  To disable a built-in toolbar, or to delete a custom one, all you have to do is uncheck it in the Toolbars pop-up menu.