Windows 7 Tip of the Week
Customize Pinned Taskbar Shortcuts

Tip date: February 19, 2010
Tipster: Daniel A. White

When you right-click a shortcut in any modern Windows version and choose Properties, you're presented with the Property sheet for that item, which provides a number of options that you can configure and use each time the underlying application (or document or folder location) is run. In the case of applications, there are some key options you can configure here on a shortcut-by-shortcut basis, including what kind of window is opened (maximized, normal) and even advanced properties like "Run as administrator."

It'd be nice if you could set these properties for shortcuts that are pinned to the Windows 7 taskbar. But as you may have noticed, when you right-click a button on the Windows 7 taskbar, the new Jump List functionality kicks in instead. If only there was a way...

It turns out there is a way. Every Windows 7 Jump List has a stock set of choices that will appear regardless of whether the developer has customized that application's functionality. These are Application Name, Pin this program to/Unpin this program from the taskbar, and Close window.

The first choice, Application Name, actually takes the form of the application's name, so if you access the Jump List for, say, Mozilla Firefox, that first entry will read as Mozilla Firefox. This entry can be used for a number of things. For example, if the application is already running, you can click this entry to open a new window. You can also use this entry to access the underlying shortcut's Property sheet.

To do so, open the Jump List for a button on the Windows 7 taskbar. Then, right-click the Application Name entry (i.e. "Mozilla Firefox"). You'll see the familiar context menu appear. Choose Properties to access the Property sheet.

Note: As you can see, the context menu for the application name entry also provides quick access to the "Run as Administrator" choice. This is handy if you need to do this only occassionally and don't want to change the underlying shortcut to always run that application with administrator privileges.

--Paul Thurrott
February 19, 2010

Windows 7
Tip of the Week

Use Wireless Hosted Networking to Share An Internet Connection Wirelessly

Master Libraries

Prevent Windows Update from Automatically Rebooting Your PC

God Mode

Use the Reliability Monitor to Find What's Wrong with Your PC

Get a Free Power Efficiency Report for Your PC

Restore Windows 7 Without the Crapware

Save Time and Money with Windows Anytime Upgrade

Save Even More Money with a TechNet Standard Subscription

Personalize the Taskbar

Get Free TV Content with Media Center

Personalize Your Desktop with Wallpaper and Aero Themes

Use SkyDrive with Windows Explorer (Part 2)

Access the Taskbar with Keyboard Shortcuts

Create Fun Panoramic Photos ... For Free

Use SkyDrive with Windows Explorer

Find Your Way in Explorer with Breadcrumbs

PC-to-PC Sync

Save Money on Multiple Windows 7 Installs with a TechNet Plus Subscription

Smarter File Copying

Using Aero Snaps with Multi-Monitor ... And Other Keyboard Shortcuts

Checkbox Select

Full Screen Toggle

Computer Management

They Don't Call Them "Essentials" For Nothing

Customize Pinned Taskbar Shortcuts

Search the Internet with Start Menu Search

Run Windows Live Messenger from the Notification Area

Hide Unwanted Windows Updates

Tip of the Week Home

Related Reading: Windows 7

Windows 7: Need to know
Review
Product Editions Comparison
Product Editions Overview
Windows 7 Tip of the Week
Availability
Pricing
FAQ
Screenshots

Install and upgrade guides
Windows 7 Clean Install Screens
Upgrading to Windows 7: Intro
Upgrade from XP to Windows 7
Upgrade from Vista to Windows 7
Clean Install with Upgrade Media
Windows 7 Upgrade Scenarios
Windows 7 Deployment

Windows 7 features
** Windows 7 Feature Focus **
Microsoft Security Essentials
Windows Live Movie Maker
Windows 7 Features in WHS PP3
Internet Explorer 8
Windows 7 Play To
Windows 7 Device Stage
Windows 7 Multi-Touch Shots
Windows 7 Multi-Touch
Media Center: Netflix, Internet TV
The Windows 7 Netbook Experience
Activation Technologies Update

Commentary
Windows 7: Mark Russinovich
Best Tech of 2009: Windows 7
A Look at the Windows 7 Ads
Is Windows 7 Enterprise Ready?
Making the Business Case: Win7
The Fat Lady Sings
Windows 7: The New NT?
Windows 7 Starter
Windows 7: Windows Touch
Rescue Me: Win7 Compatibility
When Should Business Deploy 7?
Windows 7: Choice is Good
Windows 7: Simple vs. Easy
Windows 7: What's In A Name?

Shipping Seven
Part 1: January 2008
Part 2: April 2008
Part 3: Microsoft Speaks
Part 4: Pre-PDC Presentation
Part 5: From M3 to Beta
Part 6: Public Beta
Windows 7: Past, Present & Future

Windows 7 vs. Snow Leopard
Part 1: Oh, It's On!
More soon...

Windows 7 Secrets
I don't just know Windows 7, I wrote the book! Check out my latest book, Windows 7 Secrets!

But wait, there's more!
Visit my Windows 7 Activity Center to view every Windows 7 article I've ever published, dating back to 2007. And check out my Windows 7 posts on the SuperSite Blog!