Hide apps inside the Start Menu for a clean desktop.
Run the installer. Your screen and taskbar may flicker or temporarily disappear; this is normal as the tool modifies Windows Explorer.
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Open the program you want to use as a quick-launch shortcut. Right-click its icon on the taskbar. Select .
Based on extensive user feedback and testing, the following practices help ensure a stable and productive Quick Launch experience in Windows 11. windows 11 quick launch
If you miss the efficiency of a dedicated shortcut zone, you are in luck. While Windows 11 removes the native right-click option to add custom toolbars, you can still easily bring the Quick Launch experience back.
Method 1: Recreate Quick Launch Using Taskbar Folders (The Native Workaround) Hide apps inside the Start Menu for a clean desktop
Once you've enabled Quick Launch, you'll see a new section on the taskbar that displays your favorite applications, files, and folders.
Regardless of which method you use, you'll want to optimize your new Quick Launch toolbar for a clean, space-efficient appearance. Right-click the toolbar area and uncheck "Show Text" to hide descriptive labels, then uncheck "Show Title" to remove the folder name. These adjustments transform the toolbar into the classic icon-only display that veterans remember. NINA_DIARY_2003
Since we cannot pin this folder as a toolbar directly to the taskbar, the next best native solution is to pin it to your File Explorer menu or create a dedicated desktop dock. Right-click an empty space inside the Quick Launch folder. Select New > Shortcut .
Flow Launcher takes a similar approach with an emphasis on speed and extensibility. Press Alt + Space , type a few characters, and Flow Launcher immediately shows matching applications, files, or system commands. The fuzzy search capability means you don't need to type exact names—partial matches and approximations work perfectly. Flow Launcher integrates with Everything Search for instant file finding, supports web search shortcuts, and can even control media playback across your system.