Here is how you can pin a folder to the taskbar in Windows 7:
Source: http://www.unawave.de/windows-7-tipps/folder-to-taskbar.html?lang=EN
First click with the right mouse button on the desktop.
In the context menu select “New” -> “Text Document”:
(If the file extension “txt” does not appear, previously deactivate in Windows Explorer via menu “Organize” -> “Folder and search options” -> tab “View” -> “Hide extension to known file types”.)
Ignore the warning from Windows 7 and answer the question:
“Are you sure you want to change it?” with “Yes.”
After this click on the file with the right mouse button. Now a menu item “Pin to Taskbar” appears. Choose this and a new icon appears in the taskbar.
Now open Windows Explorer and search for the desired folder. Hold down the “Shift” key and simultaneously click with right mouse button on the desired folder. Only this way the context menu shows the context menu entry “Copy as path”. This way allow to copy the correct path detail of the folder into the Windows clipboard.
Next, click with right mouse button on the icon in the Taskbar and then again with the right mouse button on the “Program” (here: “Holiday 2009”). In the context menu select “Properties”.
Now change on tab “Shortcut” the “Target”. Clear this field and press “Ctrl + V”. This inserts the previously copied folder path from the Windows clipboard into the “Target” field. See the different folder names:
Not: “C:\Users\[username]\My Pictures\Holiday 2009”
But: “C:\Users\[username]\Pictures\Holiday 2009”
Depending on different languages also the part “User” can vary.
A suitable icon can now be selected with the button “Change Icon”. Either from the offered file “SHELL32.dll” – or from other DLL files with icons. Here is a list of other files with attractive icons which are already included in Windows 7.
The “program” on the desktop (here: “Holiday 2009.exe”) may be deleted. The new shortcut in the taskbar can now be used immediately. However, the changed icon appears only after a reboot. If the mouse hovers over the shortcut in the taskbar then the name appears as a “Tooltip” above the link.