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Win10 App Launcher Alternative

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  • M Marc Clifton

    raddevus wrote:

    Lots of API calls in there.

    It's not quite that simple. Applications like Visual Studio add their brand to the window title, maybe also "(Administrator)", though of course matching a substring is trivial. The main problem is that apps like VS take forever to load, so what do you set an acceptable timeout to for "wait for the window to show up before moving it?" Then there's the scenario where I might want two instances of the same explorer window open. The titles match exactly, but finding the correct window handle is a bear that I haven't successfully wrestled to the ground yet.

    Latest Article - A Concise Overview of Threads Learning to code with python is like learning to swim with those little arm floaties. It gives you undeserved confidence and will eventually drown you. - DangerBunny Artificial intelligence is the only remedy for natural stupidity. - CDP1802

    M Offline
    M Offline
    Mark_Wallace
    wrote on last edited by
    #17

    Marc Clifton wrote:

    Then there's the scenario where I might want two instances of the same explorer window open.

    Just add a "Wrong one, you jerk!" button, at the end of the bar.

    I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!

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    • M mngerhold

      I now use this method, having given up on the W10 start menu. Its worth pointing out that you can have sub-folders, the contents of which 'pop out' when you hover over them - only once click needed.

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      R Offline
      raddevus
      wrote on last edited by
      #18

      mngerhold wrote:

      you can have sub-folders, the contents of which 'pop out' when you hover over them - only once click needed

      Great additional point. :thumbsup: Thanks!

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      • M Marc Clifton

        raddevus wrote:

        Lots of API calls in there.

        It's not quite that simple. Applications like Visual Studio add their brand to the window title, maybe also "(Administrator)", though of course matching a substring is trivial. The main problem is that apps like VS take forever to load, so what do you set an acceptable timeout to for "wait for the window to show up before moving it?" Then there's the scenario where I might want two instances of the same explorer window open. The titles match exactly, but finding the correct window handle is a bear that I haven't successfully wrestled to the ground yet.

        Latest Article - A Concise Overview of Threads Learning to code with python is like learning to swim with those little arm floaties. It gives you undeserved confidence and will eventually drown you. - DangerBunny Artificial intelligence is the only remedy for natural stupidity. - CDP1802

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        R Offline
        raddevus
        wrote on last edited by
        #19

        Marc Clifton wrote:

        It's not quite that simple.

        I didn't think so. I was actually meaning that you have to go a bit low-level to do the work. And as you said...

        Marc Clifton wrote:

        The titles match exactly, but finding the correct window handle is a bear that I haven't successfully wrestled to the ground yet.

        I've worked with this also and I found it a bear too. It feels quite odd that the final way to get the correct window is by comparing title text. :| Seems crazy, like there would have to be a better way. Good luck! :thumbsup:

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        • K Kyudos

          I still miss side-dockable app-launch toolbars on Windows 10. I've been looking for alternatives - I don't want fancy scrolly Mac-ish 'docks' I just want to be able to launch apps and open locations from an unobtrusive bar docked to the side of my desktop. You know - like you used to be able to... Any recommendations?

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          M Offline
          matblue25
          wrote on last edited by
          #20

          I’ve been using RocketDock since Win7.

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          • K Kyudos

            I still miss side-dockable app-launch toolbars on Windows 10. I've been looking for alternatives - I don't want fancy scrolly Mac-ish 'docks' I just want to be able to launch apps and open locations from an unobtrusive bar docked to the side of my desktop. You know - like you used to be able to... Any recommendations?

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            rguilmette
            wrote on last edited by
            #21

            How About this. https://windows.gadgethacks.com/how-to/bring-desktop-gadgets-windows-10-0163567/[^]

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            • K Kyudos

              I still miss side-dockable app-launch toolbars on Windows 10. I've been looking for alternatives - I don't want fancy scrolly Mac-ish 'docks' I just want to be able to launch apps and open locations from an unobtrusive bar docked to the side of my desktop. You know - like you used to be able to... Any recommendations?

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              N Offline
              nobody158
              wrote on last edited by
              #22

              Have you looked at Rainmeter, I know there are some using it as an app launcher. It is a wonderful app and you can customize it endlessly (benefit and drawback). Also it has a large community writing skins for it.

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              • N nobody158

                Have you looked at Rainmeter, I know there are some using it as an app launcher. It is a wonderful app and you can customize it endlessly (benefit and drawback). Also it has a large community writing skins for it.

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                Herbie Mountjoy
                wrote on last edited by
                #23

                I use Classic Shell. It can be configured to look like a Win7 start menu. It allows access to the kiddy blox menu if you need it, handles Win+X menus too and it seems to be very stable. Best of all, its FREE!!! We're philosophical about power outages here. A.C. come, A.C. go.

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                • K Kyudos

                  I still miss side-dockable app-launch toolbars on Windows 10. I've been looking for alternatives - I don't want fancy scrolly Mac-ish 'docks' I just want to be able to launch apps and open locations from an unobtrusive bar docked to the side of my desktop. You know - like you used to be able to... Any recommendations?

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                  P Offline
                  pmauriks
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #24

                  Rocket dock.

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                  • R Ravi Bhavnani

                    Try (my app) FooBar[^].  I'd be happy to send you a free license key.  PM me directly. /ravi

                    My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

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                    C Offline
                    carlospc1970
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #25

                    Nice look, I like it! :-D

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                    • M matblue25

                      I’ve been using RocketDock since Win7.

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                      K Offline
                      Kyudos
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #26

                      Thanks, I had a look but I don't like it much - unnecessarily flashy and doesn't reduce the desktop size properly

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