I would suggest that you copy the desktop shortcut into the "Quick launch" and show the first 1 or 2 icons at the beginning with rest in the menu. Use "Ctrl+right mouse button" to copy into the quick launch (you should see "Copy" on the tool-tip as you drag it).

I don't know if you can put it into the SysTray or not but it doesn't belong there.

For those on Windows 7 that miss their Quick Launch Bar, it is still available, see item # 12 in http://dmcritchie.mvps.org/windows-7/win7.htm

It's already in my Quick Launch bar. I want it in my System Tray like my email client and anti virus program are so that it stays open but out of the way. If it didn't take so long to open I wouldn't care. And besides....who's to say what belongs in the System Tray and what doesn't? ;)