Quick Launch the Microphone?

Question

I would like to put the microphone in the Quick Launch toolbar / system tray like it was in windows XP. I tried using this tutorial http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/add-or-remove-programs-on-the-quick-launch-toolbar but all it does is put it onto the taskbar not the quick launch toolbar; any ideas?

Answer 1

The instructions you used are a bit out of date, those were for Vista (released in 2006), not Windows 8.1 (released 2013).

To get an instant shortcut to start the Sound Recorder, do this:

1. Go to your Start screen
2. Type recorder and see the search results appear.
3. Right-click the microphone icon for sound recorder, and click "Pin to Taskbar".

The new icon on your taskbar can be moved where you want it, and clicked anytime to start the sound recorder (or switch to it if you've already started it).

Answer 2

If you want the Microphone default location to be minimized, just click that button.  It should remember your preference.

No it won't be there by default. I was hoping it could be there every time I start the computer.

Thanks for all your help (▰˘◡˘▰)

You do not have to click the minimize button. Simply say, "Minimize speech recognition," and when you wish to maximize it from the Hidden Icons position, say, "Maximize speech recognition." You do realize that speech recognition will be running when you hide it, so you will have to say Stop Listening once it is hidden and cannot be seen. Then you will need to say Start Listening to activate it.

Make sure Enable voice activation is checked in Advanced Speech Options.

Marty Markoe

Answer 3

The instructions you used are a bit out of date, those were for Vista (released in 2006), not Windows 8.1 (released 2013).

To get an instant shortcut to start the Sound Recorder, do this:

1. Go to your Start screen
2. Type recorder and see the search results appear.
3. Right-click the microphone icon for sound recorder, and click "Pin to Taskbar".

The new icon on your taskbar can be moved where you want it, and clicked anytime to start the sound recorder (or switch to it if you've already started it).

Not the sound recorder but the Microphone for voice dictation. I don't want it to be such a large icon I prefer the tiny icons how would I do that?

Answer 4

Waste of space.  Then you'll have one icon that can start Sound Recorder, plus a second duplicate button when it's already running.  Why not a single icon to do both?  No wasted space, no duplicates, and no confusion over which icon to use.

Answer 5

Windows 8.1 doesn't have a Quick Launch toolbar unless you are using Windows 8.1 in desktop mode and have followed the Windows 7 instructions on setting up Quick Launch..

See here.. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/add-the-quick-launch-bar-to-the-taskbar-in-windows-7/