Add or remove buttons from the Windows 7 toolbar with Explorer Toolbar Editor

The Explorer app in Windows 7 comes with a toolbar which includes various command buttons for fast access to common tasks. It is not possible to customize it. Windows 7 does not include any option to change the set of buttons on the toolbar. I am happy to introduce my freeware, Explorer Toolbar Editor, which allows you to add more buttons to the toolbar, or remove them easily.

First, download Explorer Toolbar Editor from its home page:

Explorer Toolbar Editor

Click on the Download button to save it as a Zip file. Then right-click on the Zip file, click Extract All and a select a suitable location for the folder. Open the extracted folder and click ExplorerToolbarEditor.exe to run the app.

You have two tabs on that window. The File or folder selected tab means that buttons you add are only shown when you select a file or folder. The Nothing selected tabs means that buttons are only displayed on the toolbar when you have not selected anything in the folder.

To configure the toolbar with new options, select one of those tabs and then a suitable folder/library from the directory tree. You can select multiple folder types by holding CTRL or SHIFT key. Then click on Add buttons to open the window in the shot below.

There, you can select numerous check boxes to add extra options to the toolbar. Select a few check boxes, and click Add to close the window. If you open Windows Explorer and the folder you selected to add the options to, you should find new buttons on the toolbar. If you added the buttons to a folder with the File or folder tab selected, click on a file to locate the options. In the shot below, I have added new Explorer options to the Pictures folder.

To remove buttons, select a folder in the Explorer Toolbar Editor window. Folder buttons are then shown on the right of the window as below. Click on one of those buttons and select Remove buttons. Alternatively, if you've added new buttons to a folder you can remove them by clicking Restore Defaults.

You can also reorder the buttons on the Windows Explorer toolbar. Select a button on the right pane, and then use the arrows to move it to an alternative position on the toolbar.

Explorer Toolbar Editor is a great tool for configuring the Windows Explorer 7 toolbars. Now you can add a much wider variety of folder/file options to its toolbar, and remove any that are not so essential. If you have suggestions on how to improve the app, I am always open to your comments.