Make taskbar icons behave like quick access


trashbag

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Local time
11:51 AM
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3
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Hi!

I've looked around a bit and tried some third-party software but can't find a solution to this.

I have 13-14 applications pinned to the taskbar. I've sorted them somewhat after how often I use them. But after some time (weeks, months) and depending on my behaviour I sometimes end up with starting application 3, 5, 8, 11 (from left to right in the taskbar). When clicking between the apps I then sometimes accidently open another app located between the ones I'm using at that time and an application which I don't want to start launches. You can say that I have a "digitally fat finger" 😅

So I'm looking for a setting or a third-party software where you can make the taskbar act a bit like quick access does inside the file explorer. Either choosing to sort by recently used taskbar icons from left to right or choosing to sort by frequently used taskbar icons from left to right.

I hope you understand my question. Do you know if I can find this inside any software or change anywhere inside Windows/regedit?
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 Pro Version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.3007)

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If you would use either Explorer Patcher (Free) or StartAllBack (Shareware, pay a very small amount after one month trying) to tweak the taskbar, you could use the good old Quick Launch. With which you can choose in which order they appear and they always stay on the same place on the taskbar.

Like this:

001631.jpg

If you might want to use the QuickLauch, you can find here how to do that (after you enabled the taskbar of StartAllBack or ExplorerPatcher):


BTW. The extra distance between the start button and the first symbol in the quick launch is there because I made my own start button version with extra space beside it.
 

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Thanks, but...

"and they always stay on the same place on the taskbar."

That's kind of what I don't want. I want to find a way where the icons switch positions depending on how often I use them.

I tried Explorer Patcher and then quick launch. I tried to sort the icons in different ways in the quick launch folder itself (%UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch) but when then using quick launch from the taskbar the shortcuts stayed sorted by name even if I sorted them by last used in the folder.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI
    CPU
    12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-12450H
    Motherboard
    MS-16R8
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU
    Monitor(s) Displays
    No external screen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD
    Browser
    Brave & Firefox
Inside Quick Launch Folder after launching some applications in testing purpose (sorted by recently used)

PD8KrlX.png


When using Quick Launch from taskbar (still sorted by name)

5lqFTR2.png


My goal is to have the taskbar icons sorted by:
* Most used
or
* Last used
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI
    CPU
    12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-12450H
    Motherboard
    MS-16R8
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU
    Monitor(s) Displays
    No external screen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD
    Browser
    Brave & Firefox
Last edited:

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    Logitech wireless
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    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
My goal is to have the taskbar icons sorted by:
* Most used
or
* Last used
Not gonna happen..., unless you make that determination yourself, rearrange them manually in like manner, and then leave it!

You'll have to use another method or app, to be viewed from some other location.

The only application, that I'm familiar with, that will render a list of last used applications, in that order, is QTTabBar...

6115.jpg
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook

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