How do I add the AOL icon to my desktop?

When the AOL software is installed on your computer, several shortcut icons are created in different areas of the computer for convenient access. You may see the icons in the following areas:

• Desktop
• Windows taskbar (next to the clock)
• Quick Launch bar (next to the Start button)

If you don't find the AOL icon on your desktop, you can easily restore/add it to your desktop by following the instructions given below.

How to

1. Add an AOL icon to the desktop
2. Rename the AOL icon

Add an AOL icon to the desktop

When the AOL software is installed, a shortcut (AOL icon) is created on your desktop. The AOL icon on your desktop allows you to quickly sign on to the AOL service. If your desktop icon is missing or if it points to a version of the AOL software that is different from the one that you would like to use, you can add a new shortcut.

You can add an icon to your desktop by either dragging the AOL icon from the Start menu and dropping it on the desktop or navigating to the AOL folder and adding a shortcut to your desktop.

Option 1: Using the Start menu

• Click the Start button, click All Programs or Programs, click AOL, and then click and drag AOL #.# (# is a number that denotes the version of the AOL software. Example: AOL 9.6, AOL 9.5) to your desktop. The AOL icon is added to your desktop.

  

Option 2: Navigating to the AOL folder

1. Open AOL System Information.

Note: If you are unable to open AOL System Information, you can manually navigate to the AOL folder by following the instructions in our online help article Open App Folder. Click the Back to previous page button in that online help article to return to this article, and then continue from Step 3.

• If you are using Windows 7/Vista, click Start. In the Search box, type system, and then click AOL System Information. If prompted by the User Account Control window, click Yes or Continue. The AOL System Information 2.0 window appears.

  

  IMPORTANT: If no window appears, check the Windows taskbar for a flashing tab. If you see the flashing tab, click it. The User Account Control window appears. Click Yes to open the AOL System Information window.

  

• If you are using Windows XP/Me/2000/98, click Start and select Run. In the Run window, type sinf, and then click OK. The AOL System Information window appears. If prompted, click OK.

  

2. Click the AOL Software or AOL tab, and then click Open App. Folder.

Note: If you don't see the Open App. Folder button, you can manually navigate to the AOL folder by following the instructions in online help article Open App Folder. Click the Back to previous page button in that online help article to return to this article, and then continue from Step 3.

3. Right-click the aol or aol.exe file, select Send to, and then click Desktop (create shortcut).

4. Close all open windows. You'll now find the aol - Shortcut or shortcut to aol.exe icon on your desktop.

Rename the AOL icon

You can rename the AOL icon on your desktop to make it more meaningful to you.

To rename the AOL icon

• Click the aol - Shortcut or shortcut to aol.exe icon to highlight it, and then tap the F2 key on your keyboard. Type the desired name, and then tap the Enter key on your keyboard.

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