Follow these steps to enable and configure your Quick Launch Toolbar.
The Quick Launch menu is located on the bottom left of your screen, right next to "Start".
Right click on the empty space next to "Start", you will see an option called Toolbars to select.
You will need to click on "Quick Launch" to enable it.
To add items to the Quick Launch simply drag the icons of the programs you wish to add onto the empty space near "Start".
One good feature is the "Desktop" icon, it's a lifesaver.