Stop expansion of Toolbar icons when activated?

arachnaut

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Sunnyvale, CA USA
One thing that always bothered me was when the toolbar icon enlarges itself when the program becomes active.
The reason is that I have several side by side that I use a lot. For example the first thing I do each day is click the email reader and the browser on the toolbar. The email icon alters size at the moment I click it so I sometimes end up clicking it twice instead of the browser icon that just moved. It's as if you turn the ignition on your car and the steering moves away from you. Almost as bad as modal dialogs that steal the focus just as you are about the enter a carriage return in another control and now you've just said OK to something you've never read.

Is there anyway to prevent this? The change in taskbar icon, that is, (but if you can remove or disable modal dialogs, I'd like that, too!)

Older versions of Windows started up a task tab on the toolbar and left the icon alone. That was when it was called Quicklaunch, I guess. That's not around anymore.

Oh, I really have been waiting so long for voice recognition. I hope this tactile phase of GUI control doesn't last much longer.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
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    1 of Hitachi Deskstar HDS722020ALA330 (2TB);
    2 of Seagate Desktop ST4000DM000-1F2168 (4TB)
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    Event Studio Precision 6 powered audio monitors;
    Boston Acoustics CS Sub 10 Powered Subwoofer;
    NI Kore controller;
    NI Maschine controller;
    M-Audio Axiom 61 keyboard controller; expression pedal; sustain pedal;

    ... and tons of audio software ...

    I also keep two USB 3 thumb drives (A: and B:) attached with boot recovery and security stuff that I can boot into from BIOS in case of emergency
I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about? Are you using 'text labels' on your taskbar buttons? Right click taskbar > properties > taskbar buttons: always combine/hide labels. This will make the icon stay the same size, and also saves taskbar space all the while (who really needs those ugly always-truncated text labels on their taskbar buttons nowadays anyways?).
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-Bit, Ubuntu 13.04 64-Bit
    Computer type
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    Custom Built
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    Intel Core i7 950 @ 3ghz
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    Asus Sabertooth X58
    Memory
    Crucial 6GB DDR3 1066mhz Triple Channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    1GB EVGA GTX 460 SE (Nvidia)
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    Dual LG Monitors
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    1920x1080, 1280x1024
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    80GB Intel 320 Series SSD
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    320GB WD MyBook (converted to Internal SATA)
    1TB Seagate Barracuda
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    CoolerMaster HAF 922
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    Logitech G110
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    Logitech G500
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Another possibility would be to make the Taskbar vertical (on the left or right side of the screen). Then the change in size of one icon won't cause the others to move.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    64-bit Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 23-D030
No, there is no way to change this behavior, it is a part of the system
The icons on the taskbar highlight when you open that app. This is normal and can not be changed
Maybe with something like Windowblinds, if we ever get it for 8, but this has been this way since Vista.

But, you may need to provide some screen shots as some of what you stated doesn't make since.
Also, I have never had random dialogs come up and steal focus. not even in 7 or Vista.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
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    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
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    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
There is still Quicklaunch, it is just not enabled by default. I think Brink has a tutorial around here somewhere how to turn it on. Search the tutorials section for "quicklaunch". Then unpin all programs from the taskbar. This will get you the old behavior.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about? Are you using 'text labels' on your taskbar buttons? Right click taskbar > properties > taskbar buttons: always combine/hide labels. This will make the icon stay the same size, and also saves taskbar space all the while (who really needs those ugly always-truncated text labels on their taskbar buttons nowadays anyways?).

Interesting, I had never used this setting and didn't realize what it did. I didn't want 'combine' but I do want 'hide labels'.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center (64-bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2600K @ 4.3 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 PRO Rev 3.0
    Memory
    16 GB G.SKILL Ripjaws X DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (4 banks 4GB DIMM DDR3 8-8-8-24 5-32-12-7 1T 1.5V)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 440
    Sound Card
    Firewire Focusrite Saffire Pro 14
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W2353V
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 of Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS (2TB ea.);
    1 of Seagate Barracuda Green ST2000DL003 (2TB);
    1 of Hitachi Deskstar HDS722020ALA330 (2TB);
    2 of Seagate Desktop ST4000DM000-1F2168 (4TB)
    PSU
    Corsair AX850 Gold
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced
    Cooling
    ThermalTake Silent 1156
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520
    Mouse
    Logitech M310
    Internet Speed
    7Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
    Other Info
    Event Studio Precision 6 powered audio monitors;
    Boston Acoustics CS Sub 10 Powered Subwoofer;
    NI Kore controller;
    NI Maschine controller;
    M-Audio Axiom 61 keyboard controller; expression pedal; sustain pedal;

    ... and tons of audio software ...

    I also keep two USB 3 thumb drives (A: and B:) attached with boot recovery and security stuff that I can boot into from BIOS in case of emergency
Also, I have never had random dialogs come up and steal focus. not even in 7 or Vista.

Lucky you. This may be true nowadays. It has been a while since I saw any.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center (64-bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2600K @ 4.3 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 PRO Rev 3.0
    Memory
    16 GB G.SKILL Ripjaws X DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (4 banks 4GB DIMM DDR3 8-8-8-24 5-32-12-7 1T 1.5V)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 440
    Sound Card
    Firewire Focusrite Saffire Pro 14
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W2353V
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 of Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS (2TB ea.);
    1 of Seagate Barracuda Green ST2000DL003 (2TB);
    1 of Hitachi Deskstar HDS722020ALA330 (2TB);
    2 of Seagate Desktop ST4000DM000-1F2168 (4TB)
    PSU
    Corsair AX850 Gold
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced
    Cooling
    ThermalTake Silent 1156
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520
    Mouse
    Logitech M310
    Internet Speed
    7Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
    Other Info
    Event Studio Precision 6 powered audio monitors;
    Boston Acoustics CS Sub 10 Powered Subwoofer;
    NI Kore controller;
    NI Maschine controller;
    M-Audio Axiom 61 keyboard controller; expression pedal; sustain pedal;

    ... and tons of audio software ...

    I also keep two USB 3 thumb drives (A: and B:) attached with boot recovery and security stuff that I can boot into from BIOS in case of emergency
There is still Quicklaunch, it is just not enabled by default. I think Brink has a tutorial around here somewhere how to turn it on. Search the tutorials section for "quicklaunch". Then unpin all programs from the taskbar. This will get you the old behavior.

The old Quicklaunch behavior really is no more as far as I can tell. Using that type of Quicklaunch you refer to is just another type of toolbar folder.

The original Quicklaunch was implemented on the taskbar next to the start button.

Anyway, I see that the 'combine and hide labels' gets me pretty much what I want. I guess you can't have everything.

So many of the Win 8 complaints are about losing old functionality with no apparent reason. We just get used to our old behavior patterns and resist unwelcome change. Our tools have never been so adaptable as they are now, and often the adaptation is not in our control.

Anyway, what I was hoping for was the old behavior with an icon on the toolbar that never changed it's appearance - it just started an application. Every application running had it's own id or label separately on the taskbar. I'll just adapt.

I suppose the current metaphor is that these icons are just smaller active tiles.

What bothers me, though, is that when an icon changes it size or position dynamically, it interrupts the eye-hand co-ordination. If I am thinking about a multi-step process and see a pattern of icons I need to press to accomplish that, I'd rather not have them change very much while I am attempting those steps.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center (64-bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2600K @ 4.3 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 PRO Rev 3.0
    Memory
    16 GB G.SKILL Ripjaws X DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (4 banks 4GB DIMM DDR3 8-8-8-24 5-32-12-7 1T 1.5V)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 440
    Sound Card
    Firewire Focusrite Saffire Pro 14
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W2353V
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 of Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS (2TB ea.);
    1 of Seagate Barracuda Green ST2000DL003 (2TB);
    1 of Hitachi Deskstar HDS722020ALA330 (2TB);
    2 of Seagate Desktop ST4000DM000-1F2168 (4TB)
    PSU
    Corsair AX850 Gold
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced
    Cooling
    ThermalTake Silent 1156
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520
    Mouse
    Logitech M310
    Internet Speed
    7Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
    Other Info
    Event Studio Precision 6 powered audio monitors;
    Boston Acoustics CS Sub 10 Powered Subwoofer;
    NI Kore controller;
    NI Maschine controller;
    M-Audio Axiom 61 keyboard controller; expression pedal; sustain pedal;

    ... and tons of audio software ...

    I also keep two USB 3 thumb drives (A: and B:) attached with boot recovery and security stuff that I can boot into from BIOS in case of emergency
The old Quicklaunch behavior really is no more as far as I can tell. Using that type of Quicklaunch you refer to is just another type of toolbar folder.

The old Quicklaunch was also just another taskbar folder. If you unlock the taskbar you can move the bands around and put them in any order, including next to the start button.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Quick launch since Vista is Pinned icons on the taskbar.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Proof you can still use the Quick Launch as it existed in previous versions of Windows. This trick works just as well in Windows 7.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/76676162/Win8DesktopQuickLaunchExample.PNG

Now I wasn't about to unpin all my apps, but that's for sure the quick launch bar.

How did I do this?

♪ Right click Taskbar > Uncheck "Lock the Taskbar"
♪ Right click Taskbar again > Toolbars > New Toolbar
♪ Navigate to c:\users\username\appdata\roaming\microsoft\internet explorer\quick launch and Select folder
♪ Drag Quick Launch label until it's on the left side where your start orb would have been
♪ Right click Quick Launch label and uncheck both "show text" and "show title"
♪ Adjust length of quick launch panel as deemed fit
♪ Unpin all pinned taskbar apps (except for third party start menu if you're using one).
♪ (Optional) Right click taskbar > Properties and set taskbar buttons to "never combine". Also can check "small icons" for an XP-sized taskbar.

Only thing you can't get back is XP's lousy way of having a separate, detached button for each window you have of the SAME program (like multiple firefox windows). Windows 7/8 instead attach alike program windows to a strip of sorts, even in 'never combine' mode. Honestly, I would prefer it this way anyways, XP always drove me nuts having my taskbar buttons mixed up all over.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-Bit, Ubuntu 13.04 64-Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 950 @ 3ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus Sabertooth X58
    Memory
    Crucial 6GB DDR3 1066mhz Triple Channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    1GB EVGA GTX 460 SE (Nvidia)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual LG Monitors
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080, 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    80GB Intel 320 Series SSD
    640GB WD Caviar Blue
    320GB WD MyBook (converted to Internal SATA)
    1TB Seagate Barracuda
    PSU
    Corsair 650TX 650w
    Case
    CoolerMaster HAF 922
    Keyboard
    Logitech G110
    Mouse
    Logitech G500
    Internet Speed
    20mbps Down, 2mbps Up
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