Create a List of Applications on the Windows 8 Task Bar

Create a folder in your system that will host the popular application shortcuts.

Create shortcuts to the applications you want displayed in that folder (right-click the source EXE, then in the target folder right-click and select Paste shortcut).

Right-click the task bar and under Toolbars, select New toolbar...

Select the folder you created.

You can rename the shortcut folder to whatever you need, and see all the shortcuts in the folder (see screen shot).