Having your regularly used applications on the Start Menu under the “Favorites Applications” section will come in handy as it will enable you to quickly launch the application.  You can also create shortcuts (or technically speaking, links) on your Desktop to your favorite applications but some of us prefer a cleaner desktop.

To add an application to your “Favorite Applications” section of the start menu, select the application.  You can use the “More Applications…” button on the start menu to select it.

Once you have identified the application that you regularly use, right click on the icon and select “Add to Favorites”.  It’s as simple as that.