I don't like how Windows 7 always groups icons on the taskbar by application (for instance, all the Chrome icons together, then all the Explorer icons, etc). I want to be able to have a Chrome icon followed by an Explorer icon followed by a Chrome icon. Note that I'm not talking about combining here, I'm talking about grouping.
Well, apparently there's a program out there called 7 Taskbar Tweaker, which lets you do exactly that (it also has a few other options, like turning off the hover-over thumbnail preview). Here's where I downloaded it from: http://rammichael.com/7-taskbar-tweaker
Quote from: Thorin on March 01, 2011, 05:08:30 PM
I don't like how Windows 7 always groups icons on the taskbar by application (for instance, all the Chrome icons together, then all the Explorer icons, etc). I want to be able to have a Chrome icon followed by an Explorer icon followed by a Chrome icon. Note that I'm not talking about combining here, I'm talking about grouping.
Well, apparently there's a program out there called 7 Taskbar Tweaker, which lets you do exactly that (it also has a few other options, like turning off the hover-over thumbnail preview). Here's where I downloaded it from: http://rammichael.com/7-taskbar-tweaker
Sounds like every version of Windows has the equivalent of "Button Boogie" (W95-W2K) or "Taskbar Shuffle" (WXP, WV) which gives the user the kind of precise intuitive control over the taskbar that really should be there in the first place...
Once I discovered the magic of Windows Key + Tab the task bar ceased to matter, also I find myself hovering the cursor over the program group and picking the right window (rather than tabbing through god knows how many open instances of "program" I might have running...)
Nice to know there are options, but I actually prefer the windows 7 default way.
FYI: Taskbar Shuffle lets you drag+drop move around the tasks in your taskbar, which as I've said really should be a builtin part of any modern OS. the grouping that is relatively recent = something others may find helpful, but I find damn annoying.
Quote from: Darren Dirt on March 01, 2011, 10:16:41 PM
FYI: Taskbar Shuffle lets you drag+drop move around the tasks in your taskbar, which as I've said really should be a builtin part of any modern OS. the grouping that is relatively recent = something others may find helpful, but I find damn annoying.
What do you mean? You can drag and drop change the order of any task item in Windows 7 as is.
Quote from: Lazybones on March 01, 2011, 11:05:41 PM
What do you mean? You can drag and drop change the order of any task item in Windows 7 as is.
finally.
Every Windows version before that didn't let you do that simple thing.
And are you telling me in W7 you can no longer uncheck the "combine tasks into Groups" function?
I like the new taskbar as well. I like the preview mode as has been mentioned. I don't really need to know how many IE or Chrome or Outlook windows I have open anymore. The Rolodex Windows + Tab, Alt-Tab Thumbnail view or the Window Preview have pretty much removed that need for me. In fact, before Windows 7/Windows 2008 R2, I would run a double sized taskbar for all the windows and quicklaunch items. Now I'm a single bar again, even though my "PINs" are more than half of it.
One thing I'd still like to see in Windows is the concept of multiple desktops. Generally I keep my desktop clean but that's only because if I add all the shortcuts and crap I use I end up with the programs menu all over again anyway.
I could have different desktops for the various tasks I need to switch to every now and again (SQL Dev, testing, documentation, etc)
Quote from: Mr. Analog on March 02, 2011, 08:29:32 AM
One thing I'd still like to see in Windows is the concept of multiple desktops. Generally I keep my desktop clean but that's only because if I add all the shortcuts and crap I use I end up with the programs menu all over again anyway.
I could have different desktops for the various tasks I need to switch to every now and again (SQL Dev, testing, documentation, etc)
you mean the thing that most video cards have included forever in their extra software? or am I imagining things...
but yeah, that kind of feature should be Built In to an OS.
Quote from: Darren Dirt on March 02, 2011, 09:09:46 AM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on March 02, 2011, 08:29:32 AM
One thing I'd still like to see in Windows is the concept of multiple desktops. Generally I keep my desktop clean but that's only because if I add all the shortcuts and crap I use I end up with the programs menu all over again anyway.
I could have different desktops for the various tasks I need to switch to every now and again (SQL Dev, testing, documentation, etc)
you mean the thing that most video cards have included forever in their extra software? or am I imagining things...
but yeah, that kind of feature should be Built In to an OS.
Nope, not talking mutli-display desktop I'm talking you have completely
different desktops you can switch between.
Very similar to what you find in more Linux Desktop Distros I believe is what Mr. A is looking for.
Quote from: Melbosa on March 02, 2011, 09:16:31 AM
Very similar to what you find in more Linux Desktop Distros I believe is what Mr. A is looking for.
Yep, exactly, I'm pretty sure it's part of X and the different Distros implement it differently. But when I use it I love it and I'd love to see it as a feature in Windows.
Taskbar Shuffle - I used to use that on XP. 7 lets you drag-n-drop.
Grouping - if I could group icons based on the activity, that'd be fine. I arrange things on my taskbar so I have, for instance, the email about the bug I'm fixing then the code then the test runner that I'm running unit tests in then the browser that I'm testing manually in. If I'm working on two bugs, I'd like to repeat that pattern.
Rolodex - while the Windows+Tab feature looks neat because you can see what the window looks like, I don't like that you have to press the key combo once to activate, then again to move to a different window. Niggling details that I have to get used to, as it acts just a little different than Alt+Tab.
Multi-Desktop - in XP you could enable multiple desktops through the TweakUI Powertoy, I think. Wait, it's Virtual Desktop Manager (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx). In 7 there are several third-party tools that allow this functionality, but I haven't tried any of them. Keep in mind that switching between desktops can either mean switching from one filtered view to another, or can actually cause programs on the desktop you're leaving to be paused. Most Linux distros just do the former.
QuoteKeep in mind that switching between desktops can either mean switching from one filtered view to another, or can actually cause programs on the desktop you're leaving to be paused. Most Linux distros just do the former.
Yup. typically in X, it just filters the windows. KDE 4 however has been working towards full "activities" where you can set activities to "pause" everything that's running in them. At least if the app is only in that single activity. Another feature is that Apps with activity support, can filter their own state to only show things relevant for that activity. Like for instance, say you're working and have entered the "work" activity, your IM and Mail client could only show contacts and folders for work. Family and friends would/could be filtered out. Its not 100% there yet though, but they are working towards that goal.
I learned a new Windows 7 keyboard shortcut today: Win+B. This sets focus to the Notification Area (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa511448.aspx) (that we all call the system tray).
Thus I can select any icon in the system tray by pushing Win+B and then using the arrow keys to move to the correct icon. That Win key is getting more and more useful!
Got Windows 7 running yesteday.
First off I realized what you were complaining about:
Quote from: Thorin on March 01, 2011, 05:08:30 PM
I don't like how Windows 7 always groups icons on the taskbar by application (for instance, all the Chrome icons together, then all the Explorer icons, etc). I want to be able to have a Chrome icon followed by an Explorer icon followed by a Chrome icon. Note that I'm not talking about combining here, I'm talking about grouping.
I definitely hate the way the "child" tasks stay "glued" to the parent when you try moving things around the taskbar. Sometimes I want the "parent" to be on the left, with some other apps/tasks following, and the "children" after all of those.
So I was tempted on seeing if TaskbarShuffle works in W7. But instead Google helped me find this...
http://superuser.com/questions/168022/disable-windows-7-taskbar-grouping-not-combining
and then of course, THIS: http://rammichael.com/7-taskbar-tweaker
and now I realize it's the solution YOU mentioned too 8)
looking at the feature list, I'm excited to run it tonight, maybe at last I will have the control I need.
and PS: wow AMAZING how many features/options that have been removed (not just turned off) in WV/W7 :(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_Vista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_7
I mean, geez, they force this "grouping" on you, give you the option to turn off the "combining", but they also take away the NUMBER that used to show up if you DID want combining. wtf... I never liked/used it, but now it's pretty much useless imo. And that's only one feature they broke.
and zomgwtf:rag: why is the "UP ONE FOLDER" button gone? instead of being an option to enable/disable? SOME OF US WANT IT, not just cuz we aren't "used to" the "breadcrumbs" ... the reason is perfectly articulated here:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itproui/thread/a66fc7b0-fcfe-4369-b767-e93a73f80924/#fc4c780e-d78b-4ab2-b606-28ecf9f6d1a2
and also: "The problem with this breadcrumb navigation is I cannot just ctrl click on a folder in that breadcrumb list to open a new window in one of the folders near the folder where I am now. With the up-folder button I could CTRL+click it and go up a level and navigate to my other folder and voila, now I have two windows open."
warning/note to self:
http://www.sevenforums.com/customization/142991-cant-disable-grouping-since-trying-7-taskbar-tweaker.html
"Whatever 7 taskbar tweaker changed, it seems Windows 7 is no longer listening to grouping options, even in the registry."
in other words, I better make sure my "grouping" option is set the way I want before running W7TT.
Quote from: Darren Dirt on March 18, 2011, 11:03:43 AM
and now I realize it's the solution YOU mentioned too 8)
You're welcome?
I'll really be throwing "thank you"s your way if you can tell me how I can a nice visual gui style "search" in Explorer, like the old days, like what is demonstrated in this Vista video:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/videos/buzzbee01_low.asx
I would like to visually see all the typical metadata choices a typical techie uses all the freakin' time when searching for certain file content/filename matches. Cuz I do *NOT* want to learn this entire new syntax BS: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/technicalresources/advquery.mspx
i gotta admit, much improved configuration, I can finally hand-pick the folders and subfolders I want to index, and exclude the children etc. yay.
http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/windows-7-file-search-indexing-options/
But not that awesome if the actual INTERFACE for searching is now only the "simple" one which is so basic as to be virtually useless.
( LOL (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/default.mspx) <-- "User Experience that Helps You Stay Productive: Windows Search has a familiar user interface for instantly finding files and e-mail messages located on your PC and connected resources ? plus one-click access to move, delete, copy, burn, attach, or drag and drop files where you need them." )
dammit dammit dammit why can I not see the "Advanced Search" button like they show in all these videos? http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/overview/videos.mspx
Quote from: Darren Dirt on March 20, 2011, 08:28:22 PM
dammit dammit dammit why can I not see the "Advanced Search" button like they show in all these videos? http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/overview/videos.mspx
answer: cuz those videos are VISTA.
omg STUPID IDIOTS WTF :rage: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_7#Other_shell_features
Quote
REMOVED: Advanced search builder UI (Search Pane).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Explorer#Removed_and_changed_features ( <-- was still there, sorta, in Vista... but gone for sure in W7. idiots I tell you, why REMOVE a visual interface FROM A VISUAL OPERATION SYSTEM!?!?)
Quote
The ability to right-click a folder and hit "Search" has been removed, as have the fields to fill in to customize your search. Now you must highlight folder you wish to search and enter your keywords in the search field in the top right corner, however, you may not enter any other search parameters until after the system has finished searching the entire folder based on that one (or few) keywords. Only then will the "Advanced Search" button appear, allowing you to enter further search parameters. This situation can be bypassed. While in Windows Explorer, the F3 key is hit. This should bring up the "Advanced Search" box.
I guess in W7 the only "solution" is to figure out what I commonly search, create a nice powerful Saved Search for it, and re-use it in the future. :(
sry for taking over this thread with my rants.
W7 coulda been so much better than it is, and it is mind-bottling how many features have been crippled/removed for no apparent reason, features that are used very regularly by techies. Hence my rants.
I feel emotionally better this morning; I spent much of this weekend trying to give Windows 7 a chance to impress me. I really did. But now I've just turned off all the "pretty" stuff so I can be the most efficient during my time I am forced to use my OS, and am trying hard not to sympathize too much with techies who decide this is the final push for them to learn *nix ;)
Well, to be fair, I thought Vista was a mess. On one side you had a lot of throwbacks to XP (like the advanced search) and then you have this other way of doing things which was supposed to be stripped down and "just usable".
Don't get me wrong there are some features I miss in W7 (like just being able to type in an application name in the Start->Run and have it come up without a search, but then again when I'm trying to remember the name of that one app that's buried in my programs menu it comes in handy).
The biggest thing I had to let go of while using Windows 7 was that feeling that Windows was "doing it wrong" and that I had to be using other tools (like the advanced search) "to be sure" it worked...
Quote from: Mr. Analog on March 22, 2011, 07:35:55 AM
that feeling that Windows was "doing it wrong" and that I had to be using other tools (like the advanced search) "to be sure" it worked...
but THAT is the problem -- a TON of people are posting all over the internets that the new "simplified" search IS missing stuff. And not just because they forgot to index a folder. Techies have for yours been legitimately complaining that Microsoft keeps forcing on them a "trust us, we know better than you mere mortals" attitude. imo taking away the most human-friendly and granular-control aspects of the OS file search is like the final straw for lotsa people. Borderline for me.
Giving techies Full Control over basic, frequently-used activities/features = no brainer, makes sense ... and doesn't have to take away from a "simplified" interface/featureset for the Dummies.
imo M$ could not make it any more obvious that they are giving up on "desktop" pcs, and trying to make their OS work for mobile/tablet users with touch-screens, since many of these GUI changes are clearly shutting out the mouse/keyboard market.
Yeah but what do you mean by full control exactly? I guess I ask because you can click on the "see more results" bar that shows up at the bottom and pick "Custom" (search custom scope, I think it's called), then you can pick specific drives and folders.
I can't say I've ever had this problem myself though, every time I've used the search it's brought back what I was looking for. :shrug:
Ya I can't say I have had problems with the search other than the fact that by default protected system areas are not included in the results.. I can't say the bugs me other than on very very rare instances.
In almost all cases I can get to a control panel app or launch as standard program in far far less time by starting to type the name then hitting enter as soon as it matchs than in vista or under xp where I needed to pick through the menus or memorize the exe name and to it via run.
It's different, it's not bad... To many people are hung up hating change.
Agreed with you there.
I was griping about how long it took to open notepad via the run menu the other day then I just realized if I pinned it to the task bar it would always be one click (or hotkey) away :)
Sometimes the best solution is to change the problem
Quote from: Mr. Analog on March 22, 2011, 03:24:16 PM
Agreed with you there.
I was griping about how long it took to open notepad via the run menu the other day then I just realized if I pinned it to the task bar it would always be one click (or hotkey) away :)
Sometimes the best solution is to change the problem
I put all my frequent-use one-click apps that have distinct icons on a "Quick Launch" toolbar (icons only) and turned off the "pinning" cuz I don't like how clicking an icon/task on a taskbar imo could have 2 different things that can happen. A few web bookmarklets/shortcuts that sometimes need things dragged to them = on the desktop (which is now very clean due to the QL toolbar).
I just wish the "UP" button was easier to get back (I read someone's suggestion, they basically use a .VBS file to force a "CTRL+UP" key press, and attach an Explorer action to that file).
One thing I find for sure unjustifiable though: forcing the "select entire row when you click anywhere" new 'feature' in Explorer ... no way of enabling/disabling it, c'mon why the bleep not...
Wow, never new those features were so bothersome with anyone. I've thoroughly adopted almost every new feature of Windows 7, and find them all pretty well done.
But then again I'm sure, as you have all pointed out, each has his/her own reasons for having it work they way they want them too.
Quote from: Darren Dirt on March 22, 2011, 03:57:23 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on March 22, 2011, 03:24:16 PM
Agreed with you there.
I was griping about how long it took to open notepad via the run menu the other day then I just realized if I pinned it to the task bar it would always be one click (or hotkey) away :)
Sometimes the best solution is to change the problem
I put all my frequent-use one-click apps that have distinct icons on a "Quick Launch" toolbar (icons only) and turned off the "pinning" cuz I don't like how clicking an icon/task on a taskbar imo could have 2 different things that can happen. A few web bookmarklets/shortcuts that sometimes need things dragged to them = on the desktop (which is now very clean due to the QL toolbar).
Well again, I like the QL bar because I only need to Quick Launch about 5 apps, and even then I just use the hotkeys (Windows key + number)
Quote from: Darren Dirt on March 22, 2011, 03:57:23 PMI just wish the "UP" button was easier to get back (I read someone's suggestion, they basically use a .VBS file to force a "CTRL+UP" key press, and attach an Explorer action to that file).
Not sure what you mean by that, do you mean the old "up" one level navigation button on the explorer window? You can now just click the parent directory right in the address bar. More mouse centric? Maybe, but I can't think of many operations where I'm using Explorer with the keyboard (that's what PowerShell is for :) )
Quote from: Darren Dirt on March 22, 2011, 03:57:23 PMOne thing I find for sure unjustifiable though: forcing the "select entire row when you click anywhere" new 'feature' in Explorer ... no way of enabling/disabling it, c'mon why the bleep not...
I've noticed that too but usually there is always some white space you can click on in the Explorer window. You can also change your view away from the "details" list to just list the items, that should fix it. Honestly 90% of the time I never read the details anyway so the basic list just works for me.