Menu that pops up when you hit the Windows key

[Guest]

I am just guessing that there some built-in feature that adds frequently
started apps to the menu list pops up when you hit the Windows key ( or
click on the Windows flag "start" button at the lower left). Almost
certainly based upon how often the app is started, among perhaps other
considerations. How do I add my own selection to this menu?

If I right click on the icon of an app in the list, I can remove it, simply.

Very specifically, I want to start Windows Explorer at times that an app
filling the screen cannot be minimized, which seems to be when there is a
sub-window process going that would have to be canceled before the main
window could be minimized. What I have been doing is hit the Windows key,
All Programs, Accessories, then selecting Windows Explorer. I have been
doing this for several years.

Quite by chance, as I was checking out the navigation to verify that what I
was describing what I was doing was accurate, I had a little idea that maybe
if I right-clicked on the item in the All Programs list, I could choose to
add it to the start menu. All these years I have been wishing that I knew
how to do this, and only in the last few minutes did I learn that there is
such a thing as Pin to Start Menu. I doubt that I would ever thought to
Google on "Pin to Start Menu."

Even though I have stumbled onto the answer to my own question, I am going
to go ahead and post it in case it may help someone who, like I, was
ignorant of how to do it.

 

[Jose]

I am just guessing that there some built-in feature that adds frequently
started apps to the menu list pops up when you hit the Windows key ( or
click on the Windows flag "start" button at the lower left).  Almost
certainly based upon how often the app is started, among perhaps other
considerations.  How do I add my own selection to this menu?

If I right click on the icon of an app in the list, I can remove it, simply.

Very specifically, I want to start Windows Explorer at times that an app
filling the screen cannot be minimized, which seems to be when there is a
sub-window process going that would have to be canceled before the main
window could be minimized.  What I have been doing is hit the Windows key,
All Programs, Accessories, then selecting Windows Explorer.  I have been
doing this for several years.

Quite by chance, as I was checking out the navigation to verify that whatI
was describing what I was doing was accurate, I had a little idea that maybe
if I right-clicked on the item in the All Programs list, I could choose to
add it to the start menu.  All these years I have been wishing that I knew
how to do this, and only in the last few minutes did I learn that there is
such a thing as Pin to Start Menu.  I doubt that I would ever thought to
Google on "Pin to Start Menu."

Even though I have stumbled onto the answer to my own question, I am going
to go ahead and post it in case it may help someone who, like I, was
ignorant of how to do it.

You poor fellow - all those years!?

Do you know about the Quick Launch toolbar? Maybe that is what you
need.

Right click an empty area of your Windows Taskbar (in the bottom of
your screen). Look at Toolbars and make sure Quick Launch is checked.

The Quick Launch area is to the right of your Start button and you can
add, delete, hide icons that will start frequently used applications -
like IE, with just a single click. You will probably want to
customize it to suit yourself.

Be careful not to double click the icons in the Quick Launch toolbar
out of habit or you will start two of whatever it is - like two IEs.
Sometimes that is a good thing, but sometimes not.

Of course, you should quickly remove the IE icon and replace it with a
Firefox icon. It is easy to customize.

Do a google search about it and there is more to read than you care to
know, or come back here.

 

[Olórin]

I am just guessing that there some built-in feature that adds
frequently started apps to the menu list pops up when you hit the
Windows key ( or click on the Windows flag "start" button at the
lower left). Almost certainly based upon how often the app is
started, among perhaps other considerations. How do I add my own
selection to this menu?
If I right click on the icon of an app in the list, I can remove it,
simply.
Very specifically, I want to start Windows Explorer at times that an
app filling the screen cannot be minimized, which seems to be when
there is a sub-window process going that would have to be canceled
before the main window could be minimized. What I have been doing is
hit the Windows key, All Programs, Accessories, then selecting
Windows Explorer. I have been doing this for several years.

Quite by chance, as I was checking out the navigation to verify that
what I was describing what I was doing was accurate, I had a little
idea that maybe if I right-clicked on the item in the All Programs
list, I could choose to add it to the start menu. All these years I
have been wishing that I knew how to do this, and only in the last
few minutes did I learn that there is such a thing as Pin to Start
Menu. I doubt that I would ever thought to Google on "Pin to Start
Menu."
Even though I have stumbled onto the answer to my own question, I am
going to go ahead and post it in case it may help someone who, like
I, was ignorant of how to do it.

Windows key + E will fire up Windows Explorer, too.

 

[Jose]

Windows key + E will fire up Windows Explorer, too.

Yes it does, and I seem to have gotten hung up on Internet Explorer
and the question was about Windows Explorer.

Your can add a Quick Launch icon for Windows Explorer - or a game or
Outlook or just about anything (I think).

I am a little obsessive about efficiency, so if there is a quick way
to do something I do a lot and can do it without having to move my
hand to the keyboard and pressing some keys and just do it with a
little slide and a single mouse click, that is for me!