"Offering free computer help, hints, and tips to the Internet populace." Now with over 3,820 tips!

Windows 7

Access Taskbar Button Jump List without Right-Click

SUMMARY: Another way to access the Jump List of a button on the Windows 7 Taskbar without using the right mouse button.

Buttons on the Windows 7 Taskbar, as well as other pinnable items, display various features in what are called Jump Lists. Depending on the button, these lists may provide access to frequent or recently-accessed files by the application, a shortcut to close all open application windows, and common application tasks. For example, Internet Explorer 8's Jump List provides quick access to opening a new tab and InPrivate Browsing.

Jump Lists normally can be accessed by right-clicking on a button in the Windows 7 Taskbar. However, there is another way.

Click and hold on a taskbar button, then move your mouse pointer up. If you do so slowly, you will notice a Jump List fading and moving up into view - move the mouse pointer quickly and the Jump List pops up.

To close the Jump List, you can press Esc, release the mouse button and click elsewhere, or keep the mouse button clicked and move the pointer down.

This tip was written for Windows 7 RC. Screenshots and information are subject to change between this and the official release of Windows 7.