Quick launch toolbar on NT 4.0, is it possible?

[CCs]

Hi, I was wondering if it is possisble for an NT 4.0 machine to have that quick launch tool bar like Windows 98 sitting on the taskbar? Normally to get it on 98, you would simply right click on the task bar and choose "Toolbars". But on NT this option is not available.

Many thanks in advance.

[NDC]

NT4 was made right after Win95 was released, so the GUI on NT4 takes after the GUI on Win95 which also didn't have the "Quick Launch Task Bar", so as AFAIK, it isn't possible, but if there is, I would also like to know, that is one of the reasons I migrated to Win2K from NT4..... I think NT4 is more responsive than Win2K. Perhaps it's all that cosmetic work on Win2K that makes the responsiveness a bit slower on Win2K Pro Vs. NT4 Workstation..

[This message has been edited by NDC (edited 12-11-2000).]

[CCs]

I too thought it was impossible. But heres the funny part. Theres a PC at my workplace which has NT 4.0 on it. And this PC HAS that tool bar on the task bar. If i right click on taskbar i get that "Toolbars" option.

Heres the details from Windows NT Diagnostics.

Microsoft (R) Windows NT (TM) Workstation
Version 4.0 (Build 1381: Service Pack 6)
x86 Uniprocessor Free
blah blah

I've tried loading SP6 on my NT4 box but still doesn't work.

I'm not sure why, but another fact is that the NT4 with the tool bar is a DELL Optiplex GX110. It came shipped with pre loaded NT and software etc...

Maybe thats the reason? has DELL fiddled around with NT 4.0 to get this? If so, i might use the restore CDs that came with it and try to load it on my pc. I'll have to correct video and sound problems tho. But no big deal. Just want the DELL NT OS loaded. What do you think? Is there another way to get this toolbar?

[NDC]

Well, I know for a fact that the SP6a for NT4 doesn't have the Quick Task Launch Bar feature added when you install the SP.... I'me beginning to laen towards the suggestion that it is perhaps something that Dell might have done to customize NT4.... I'm looking in search engines now that may show anything about it... Tell me if you find anything... http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[NDC]

The quick launch is a part of active desktop which is included with IE4. In order to use the quick launch user must have IE4. IE5 does not include this feature but if you install IE4 and then IE5 on top of it you'll be fine.

http://www.paperbits.com/support.asp?mid=2785


I can't try it on my machine because I no longer have NT4 installed. Try it on your system and tell me how it goes.... Thanks. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by NDC (edited 12-11-2000).]

[CCs]

Good job! It works!

OK heres now it went.

I had IE 5.5 (didn't have the toolbar)
I uninstalled IE 5.5 and installed IE 5.0
STILL NO TOOLBAR!
I uninstalled IE 5.0 and installed IE 4.0
WORKS!
I then updated to IE 5.5
WORKS!

So verdict is you need IE 4.0 to get the toolbar, after that you can upgrade to whatever version of IE you want.

Many thanks to you NDC!

Also, if you go thru "Start" then browse thru your "Programs" folders you can acutally right click and get options, just like windows98.

Cheers.



[This message has been edited by CCs (edited 12-11-2000).]

[NDC]

You're very welcome, CCs. I learned something from this as well. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[shadow]

Yes, as you have found out, the IE4.01 service pack 2 will get you the active desktop stuff including the quicklaunch.
You end up with NT looking like 98.
The download is available at Tucows only in the NT download section - Browsers.