The Quick Launch toolbar

The Quick Launch toolbar (also called the application launcher) provides one-click access to commonly
used programs. It provides an alternative to going through the Start menu to start these programs (and
can be handy when your desktop icons are covered by some large program window). When you point to
an icon in the Quick Launch toolbar, you’ll see the name of the program or service that the icon
represents.
The Show Desktop icon on the Quick Launch toolbar provides a service I wish I had on my real desktop.
When you click it, all open windows on the desktop are instantly swept out of view, so you can see your
desktop again. Clicking that button a second time brings all the clutter back onto the desktop. As
discussed later, you can also bring items back onto the desktop one at a time, by clicking their taskbar
buttons, which will be visible whenever you have programs open on the desktop.