Forum Discussion
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Drew1903 I have to say, I've never been a big user of the Desktop Toolbar. My preference is to have a few folders on the desktop (apps, url's, and so forth), where I can tuck things that I need (or think I need). I have to say, however, that I'm using the start menu tiles much more, along with some apps on the Taskbar, especially now that we can arrange apps into folders in Start. I hated that in Windows 8, but now that it doesn't really take over in 10 like it did in 8, I'm finding that I use it more.
Regards,
Dan
Dan_AI4GK
Dan et al,
Understand the Desktop toolbar IS ones Desktop icons! It's use simply means the Desktop icons can be told to not show, thus, a clean, clear Desktop screen... except for its wallpaper or whatever. Instead, they are accessed via a list at the taskbar, handy & pretty. Basically, nothings changes, but, for a nicer 'look'.
Now, while we are talking about applications 'display', Start menu, pinning & such, it gives me an opportunity totell y'all about something you may, really, like. I have used it since back in Win7. I have given it to many clients & others & everyone uses it & likes it, a lot. It allows having ALL applications in a windows explorer window which, lives on the taskbar. It does each & every application individually visible rather than, looking in folders or having to know what fold holds something. Of course it can be assigned to all desktops when using multiple desktops. I will provide the instructions to have & use this and a couple of examples of it.
Instructions for creating Applications window
Using, %windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}
Rt Clk on Desktop > New > Shortcut
In Location put %windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}
Hit OK or Next (whichever it is)
In Name change explorer.exe to Applications
Hit Done or OK (whatever it is lol)
Now you click on the created desktop shortcut icon, Open it.
Now get rid of the Nav tree & change the View to List.
Lives on Taskbar as long as only Minimised. Have to redo from the desktop icon only if & when a reboot has been done.
NB: The created desktop icon can be changed from the default if desired.
I, personally, haven't, really, used a start menu much since sometime back during 7. Occasionally, I find myself using the contextual menu. There's tiles on my mobile. Just a 'me' thing, I can help others with the tiles, but, they've never thrilled or interested me much for my own use. This ⬇ comes with a 😉
Cheers,
Drew
- Drew1903Apr 29, 2019Silver Contributor
Dennis5mile Dan_AI4GK
You're welcome, Dennis. I reckoned someone would like it. And, btw, here's what you get if you Rt Clk on items in that window
As for "Now, you can pin it to the taskbar"... that is not new, but, you're confusing something a wee bit. That is pinning the desktop shortcut which, by default, doesn't have an appearance wanted. After it is configured how one likes it & minimised, that is what lives on the taskbar and that cannot be pinned there. It can be used that way, but, would, still, need to be configured to the preferred display style. Will always open like this until tweaked (Compare to the other examples I showed where the Nav tree is removed & it's not using these HUGE icons, Tiles). If you do it that way & not how I instructed, every time you open it from that Pin, it will have gone back to Tiles (view)! Albeit without the Nav tree. It only works right as the instructions describe. There's no real benifit or gain to pinning the shortcut.
Cheers,
Drew - Dan_AI4GKApr 29, 2019Steel ContributorThanks! That's pretty cool!
- Dennis5mileApr 29, 2019Silver Contributor
Drew1903 wrote:Dan_AI4GK
Dan et al,
Understand the Desktop toolbar IS ones Desktop icons! It's use simply means the Desktop icons can be told to not show, thus, a clean, clear Desktop screen... except for its wallpaper or whatever. Instead, they are accessed via a list at the taskbar, handy & pretty. Basically, nothings changes, but, for a nicer 'look'.
Now, while we are talking about applications 'display', Start menu, pinning & such, it gives me an opportunity totell y'all about something you may, really, like. I have used it since back in Win7. I have given it to many clients & others & everyone uses it & likes it, a lot. It allows having ALL applications in a windows explorer window which, lives on the taskbar. It does each & every application individually visible rather than, looking in folders or having to know what fold holds something. Of course it can be assigned to all desktops when using multiple desktops. I will provide the instructions to have & use this and a couple of examples of it.
Instructions for creating Applications window
Using, %windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}
Rt Clk on Desktop > New > Shortcut
In Location put %windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}
Hit OK or Next (whichever it is)
In Name change explorer.exe to Applications
Hit Done or OK (whatever it is lol)
Now you click on the created desktop shortcut icon, Open it.
Now get rid of the Nav tree & change the View to List.
"Lives on Taskbar as long as only Minimised. Have to redo from the desktop icon only if & when a reboot has been done."
NB: The created desktop icon can be changed from the default if desired.
Cheers,
DrewYou can now pin to taskbar...
And it will stay when you close it...
Drew1903 Thanks for this little tool...
Dennis5mile