Forum Discussion
Pinning: Where & How
Drew1903 Thanks for the feedback on Pinned Sites. We are working through that whole story presently, and do plan on offering Pin to Start. Currently, if you click on ... > Apps > Install this site as an app, it will show up on your Start menu, on the Taskbar, as well as the Desktop. Feedback on this workflow is really crucial for us, so we appreciate you trying it out and letting us know what you think.
-John
johnjansen wrote:We are working through that whole story presently, and do plan on offering Pin to Start. Currently, if you click on ... > Apps > Install this site as an app, it will show up on your Start menu, on the Taskbar, as well as the Desktop. Feedback on this workflow is really crucial for us, so we appreciate you trying it out and letting us know what you think.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the idea of pinning webpages as apps aims to allow users to open extra https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/hosting/webview2 windows on desktop instead of sticking to one browser window? This might be suitable for dynamically updating webpages, as well as adding live tiles for them to Start Menu, as suggested here.
When it comes to linking webpages not frequently updated and neither aimed to be constantly monitored, I don't believe their shortcuts should be placed to Start Menu or Taskbar, since it can bring chaos to critical Windows productivity zones. For determined Taskbar users, I suggest to create a separate Taskbar Tab for links or Weblinks Toolbar similar to Desktop Toolbar - to save critical Taskbar space. For weblinks in Start Menu I suggest to dedicate a separate area My Web at Glance on the right, not mixing them with Programs Strip.
The most suitable place IMHO for frequent page shortcuts is browser's New Tab Speed Dial. It should retain dual functionality. It must auto collect most frequently visited pages. But users should be allowed to Edit the Dials by putting other pages they prefer. Once edited, such Dials can't be auto replaced with other frequent dials. Also, a user should be allowed to change number and size of dials. I tested many New Tab Chrome extensions, and think https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/the-new-tab-customize-you/ddjdamcnphfdljlojajeoiogkanilahc/related?hl=en is a good example of basic simplicity combined with user enabled adjustments.
Since users are now allowed to add frequent shortcuts to Speed Dial manually, and for some its a lot more important than placing weblinks to Taskbar or Start Menu, I suggest to add "Pin to SpeedDial" to other webpage pinning options.
johnjansen In the process of testing this, I discovered that an app I created earlier and that is still pinned to my Taskbar as an app does not appear in the list when I click on manage apps.
The pinned entry opens the app, but it is not on my Start menu or my Desktop and is no longer able to be "managed". The app info option when the app is open works.
This is another example of the complexity is introduced by the current requirement to create and app just to pin a shortcut to a website to the Taskbar.
johnjansen I don't understand the approach that is being taken here versus the way this worked on Edge. I agree with Drew1903 that this approach is counter intuitive in two ways. If I want quick access to a website, why do I need to create an app? If I want it pinned to the taskbar, why should it appear on Start and Desktop too?
Regarding feedback on the workflow, the current approach creates a many step process.
1) Create an app which I don't need since I am just looking for a shortcut to a website
2) Remember to pin the newly opened app to the Taskbar because if I don't it will disappear when I close the app
3) Remember to delete from the Start menu if I don't want the website in my Start menu
4) Remember to delete from the Desktop if I don't want the website on my Desktop
5) Remember to delete the app if I decide I no longer want the shortcut pinned to my Taskbar
In the comment webpage that appeared after I removed the app after testing, it says apps may be able to do things that websites can't. But if all I want is a shortcut to a website, making me create an app that has no additional functionality does not bring a benefit as far as I can see.
For something that used to be one click the complexity of creating/managing/deleting an app and managing two alternatives I didn't really want seems a lot of overhead for me as the consumer.
ms4132
Thank you for spelling out 5 Pillars of Stupidity. Nicely detailed. And, then, someone right after has lent more support to what we are all saying. I had neglected to mention, I also, discovered it gone from the taskbar if not pinned there, meaning yet, another otherwise unnecessary step. Do not make things less efficient than they are in Edge. Supposed to be improving things. Won't do that by omitting good stuff or making more, unnecessary steps to do the same thing! Sure can go from Calgary to Winnipeg via Edmonton FIRST, but, sure really silly extra kms & time that makes no good sense, cannot be justified.
And, to repeat, don't want stuff all over the desktop or having to open Start or Desktop toolbar. Edge does it right, just keep the status quo.
Cheers,
Drew
johnjansen
"we appreciate you trying it out and letting us know what you think."
John,
I think I didn't want 'it' running as an app, in the 1st place. Nor was there any need or desire to have it in ALL the 3 locations rather than just, only on the taskbar and or Start; best is like Edge wherein WE can choose where WE pin things. Also, there is no yearning to splatter icons all over the desktop or having to unnecessarily open Desktop toolbar frequently.
It is good news to know y'all on working on putting these things in place with Edge C as they are in Edge. "Don't 'fix' what isn't broken"
Btw, for many things or many times, since the taskbar is always at hand, pinning something there makes sense, in so much as, why open Start 1st when one is already staring at the taskbar.
Cheers,
Drew
