Using Quick Tools for Google Applications

Do you regularly use online applications from Google? Gmail for your email, Google Docs office suite or Google Calendar to your calendar? Why not place shortcuts to your favorite Google applications on your computer? That is what you can do with the free Quick Tools for Google Apps

Once installed, Quick Tools for Google Apps is housed in the notification area to the left of the Windows clock and gives you one-click access to your favorite Google applications. The software also informs you of new messages you receive on Gmail and upcoming appointments on your calendar.

Some tasks are directly accessible by the software menu and in Windows Explorer, such as the possibility of creating a new appointment or to send a file from your computer to Google Docs. Learn how to properly install Quick Tools for Google Apps, to associate with your Google Account and use it to monitor and manage your new events of Gmail, Calendar, Docs and Google Notebook.

Microsoft. NET Framework:

Quick Tools for Google Apps requires version 3.5 of Microsoft. NET Framework to run. Initially, you should check the version already installed on your computer. If it is not updated, you must install version 3.5. To check it on your version, go through these steps:

• Click the Start button and then click Control Panel.
  
  
• Double click the Add / Remove Programs.
  
  
• In the list of installed programs, locate the Microsoft. NET Framework. Verify that the version installed is at least 3.5. If so, you can skip to the next step .
  
  
• If the installed version is less than 3.5 or if the Microsoft. NET Framework is not installed, go to this webpage
  
  
• Click the Download button.
  
  
• Save the file to your hard drive.
  
  
• Once the file is downloaded, click Run.
  
  
• Confirm the launch of the installer by clicking the Run button.
  
  
• Select I read the license agreement ... then click the Install button.
  
  
• The software is then downloaded and installed on your computer.
  
  
• Once installation is complete, click Exit.
  
  
• Then restart your computer as you proposed.

Installing Quick Tools for Google Apps:

Quick Tools for Google Apps runs in the Windows system tray and notifies you of new email and calendar events. You can quickly perform tasks such as adding appointments to your calendar or uploading files and folders to Google Docs.

• Download Quick Tools for Google Apps and save it anywhere on your hard drive.
  
  
• Click the Run button.
  
  
• Confirm the launch of Setup Quick Tools for Google Apps by clicking the Run button.
  
  
• If version 3.5 of Microsoft. NET Framework is not installed on your computer, a message warns you. Click the No button and return to the previous step .
  
  
• Triple-click the Next button.
  
  
• Then click the Close button.

Configure your Gmail account:

To be notified of incoming messages on Gmail and quick access to your mail, you must enable automatic secure connection to Gmail.

• Log into your Gmail account.
  
  
• Click on the Settings section.
  
  
• In the "Connection Navigator, select the option Always use https protocol.
  
  
• Click the Save Changes button.
  
  
• Finally close the window of your browser.

Associating Quick Tools to the account:

Now that your Gmail account is properly configured, you can associate Quick Tools for Google Apps to your account for quick access. just follow the below steps for doing the same:

• By the end of the installation and then when you start Windows, the Quick Tools for Google Apps is displayed in the notification area to the left of the clock. Click on it with the right mouse button.
  
  
• In the menu that appears, choose Add account
  
  
• In the Google login, enter the email address of your Google account and your password.
  
  
• Click the Save button.
  
  
• You are now warned of new messages you receive on Gmail and your new appointment. Click on a message title to open or double click the icon Quick Tools for Google Apps to open your Gmail.
  
  
• Click the right mouse button on the icon Quick Tools for Google Apps Google to display shortcuts. You can then access your calendar, your documents, your messaging, add appointments, take notes, etc..

Customize Quick Tools for Google:

You can easily customize Quick Tools for Google and select the shortcut to display settings and notifications of new messages or appointments.

• Click the right mouse button on the icon Quick Tools for Google. In the menu that appears, click on Edit current account.
  
  
• In the section Enable Apps, uncheck the boxes in front of the Google applications that you do not, to lighten the menu.
  
  
• Then open the Mail tab. You can configure the interval of checking for new messages (every 2 minutes by default), the duration of the window display notifications, etc..
  
  
• Open the Calendar tab. Popup window Check the box to be notified by a bubble next appointment.
  
  
• Then click the Save button.