Why use 3rd party Menus - much more flexible way (W8/8.1)

jimbo45

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Hi there
Why on earth do people bother with 3rd party menu apps -- there's a much better way IMO straight out of the box using Windows itself -- just create custom toolbars which are much more flexible and customisable.

I've labelled one here as an example called My progs.

1) Create this folder anywhere you like (doesn't have to be on the main "C" OS disk either - so you don't have to re-create if you re-install the OS. Mine's actually on a different drive :F).

2) Populate the folder with short cut links to the programs you want to see when you click on the toolbar

3) for sub levels create a folder within the Main (in my case the My progs folder) folder.

4) in that sub folder populate with with short cut links to the items you want.

This can be used for up to any nesting of sub levels you want and you can have several different custom toolbars too.

To activate it just right mouse click on the bottom quick launch toolbar and for toolbars choose new toolbar and point to your main folder (in my case the My progs folder). Move it to the left or wherever is convenient for you to access it.

Here's a screen shot of the simple example I've done -- it has two main programs and the Ms Office suite.

In fact I wish in W7 I could get RID of the main menu screen - I find using toolbars a much better idea anyway - my most used programs would be on the quick launch bar in any case and it's only some of the complex stuff where I'd need a menu that I would need this for but the purpose is to show how easily it can be done without messing up your system with some of these 3rd party apps which might / might not continue to work - and really do you need every .exe showing up in some of these "menu" products.

Note - another advantage is that you can change / add links "on the fly" and they immediately will appear in the toolbar.

This way you can test gradually and build up what you want - adding / deleting entries will appear immediately you click on the My Progs - in my case at the bottom left of the screen.

(Those who still have Windows 7 can look at the Start Menu folder to get an idea of how the W7 menu was built and to get an idea of making short cuts if they are finding that process a bit hard).


Cheers
jimbo
 

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I can come up with numerous reasons why people want a third party menu but here's are some:
  1. People are so used to do things the old way that existed since Windows 1.0
  2. Don't want to learn new things
  3. Lack of knowledge about the new OS
Having said that. To you, using the Quick Launch tool bar is the best and this feature does exist in previous version of Windows. However, To me it isn't and I can tell you the reasons why:
  1. I have to physically look and locate where the damn Quick launch is.
  2. Have to maneuver in the tree to get to which program I want to run
  3. I can count on my fingers how many programs that I normally use daily so my start screen won't be crowded.

So for me, and me only since I cannot talk for any body else, the start screen is the best which:
  1. I can pin all the programs for my daily use.
  2. I don't have to locate anything, just move the mouse to the corner and click to get to start screen which I can see all my pinned programs in big icons layout.

So different strokes for different folks my man.
Cheers.
 

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I can come up with numerous reasons why people want a third party menu but here's are some:

  1. People are so used to do things the old way that existed since Windows 1.0
  2. Don't want to learn new things
  3. Lack of knowledge about the new OS

Your entire first paragraph is irrelevant and could have been left out. Just another typical slam of those that dislike the Metro/Modern Start screen by a Microsoft fanboy keyboard commando.

-jeff
 
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I've been a user of toolbars for years and don't miss the Start menu at all. I started using toolbars in Win 2000 so they aren't anything new and I'm surprised they aren't more widely used.
 

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Your entire first paragraph is irrelevant and could have been left out. Just another typical slam of those that dislike the Metro/Modern Start screen by a Microsoft fanboy keyboard commando.

-jeff


Keyboard !!!! whoever said anything about a keyboard -- I don't think in my entire post I said anything about a keyboard or keyboard commands.

In addition - Metro is totally inappropriate if you need several windows open at the same time -- for example have you ever tried translating ONE document into another (or several) languages, importing spread sheets / other data concurrently, compare data (for example airline routes and prices) from several different websites at the same time or another 10 zillion cases where one would need to have several windows open concurrently -- working in Full screen / Half screen mode would be a real pain in these cases.

However this thread has NOTHING to do with Metro or whatever so what on earth were you trying to say.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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OK, I’ll bite.

Here are just few of the many reasons why 3rd party Menus are superior to a toolbar menu.

From functionality point of view:

  • A menu shows the combined contents of the common and the per-user start menu folders
  • You can open a menu with the keyboard
  • A menu shows the recently-used documents
  • A menu shows recently-used or frequently-used programs
  • A menu has jumplists for access to recent/frequent documents per application
  • You can search from the menu
  • You can drag shortcuts to the start button and the menu will open, so you can drop stuff in it
  • A menu (a good one) can launch Metro shortcuts, a toolbar can't


From aesthetics point of view:

  • The start button and the menu can be skinned to match the rest of your desktop
  • At least in Classic Shell you can control the size of the icons
  • In a menu you can place separators, but you can’t in a toolbar menu


Shameless plug: Classic Shell 4.0 is coming out next weekend. Try the Release Candidate 3.9.5 now: www.classicshell.net
 
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Gotta love toolbars. Even tho I like the Start Screen Tiles , toolbars do keep me on the desktop. Especially since I since using the HP Launchbox sp56217 recommended by XweAponX and works on non-hp computers. (Just an icon on taskbar til you mouse over it. Then up to 8 LARGE icons appear for programs of your choice.

Besides the regular ones (Desktop , Links etc,) that install with a checkmark , created toolbars are great help too.
Programs & Program Files toolbars help keep you away from the Start Screen Tiles.
Opening your Desktop folder and creating new folders with names like 'Graphics' for Photoshop , MS Paint etc. , 'Office' for MS Office , Open Office , MS Works , Wordpad , Outlook , Calculator etc.

%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

%UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

C:\Program Files also makes a great toolbar


Screenshot (164) HP Launchbox.jpg
 

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- Metro is totally inappropriate if you need several windows open at the same time -

Metro can be run concurrently on more than one monitor at a time in Windows 8.1. It may not be desirable but its doable. Just saying.

The desktop programs I use daily like IE, Outlook, Media Player, etc I have pinned to my taskbar. I have simple needs so I don't need to mess with toolbars. I also don't feel the need to install any third party start menu application. I use Windows 8.1 basically the way it comes out of the box. "Your Way" may work fine for you but everybody has their own needs and preferences.
 

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I also don't have a great need , even for all those programs and utilities that are installed by default. I have customised the Modern screen and use it as my start menu. Much easier than navigating through "All programs". I find it hard to imagine that users actually need to have those programs, together with their own installations, all visible at all times. This is mine.

Desktop2.png
 
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Your entire first paragraph is irrelevant and could have been left out. Just another typical slam of those that dislike the Metro/Modern Start screen by a Microsoft fanboy keyboard commando.

-jeff


Keyboard !!!! whoever said anything about a keyboard -- I don't think in my entire post I said anything about a keyboard or keyboard commands.

In addition - Metro is totally inappropriate if you need several windows open at the same time -- for example have you ever tried translating ONE document into another (or several) languages, importing spread sheets / other data concurrently, compare data (for example airline routes and prices) from several different websites at the same time or another 10 zillion cases where one would need to have several windows open concurrently -- working in Full screen / Half screen mode would be a real pain in these cases.

However this thread has NOTHING to do with Metro or whatever so what on earth were you trying to say.

Cheers
jimbo

Sorry for the misunderstanding Jimbo, I wasn't referring to you at all. It was the reply to your post that basically came across sounding like those that prefer some sort of menu button verses Metro/Modern are Neanderthals. Since my reply was immediately after that I assumed it would be taken as a response. I edited the post to make that more apparent. I respect your viewpoints and apologize again.

-jeff
 

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Metro can be run concurrently on more than one monitor at a time in Windows 8.1. It may not be desirable but its doable. Just saying.

Really, I'd be interested in how that works......
 

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- Metro is totally inappropriate if you need several windows open at the same time -

Metro can be run concurrently on more than one monitor at a time in Windows 8.1. It may not be desirable but its doable. Just saying.
.
Maybe , not everyone can afford extra monitors to multi-task Metro Apps. Or maybe wouldn't want to. There are times I have 10+ windows open at the same time. The purchase cost and monthly electric cost for 10 monitors is out of reach and the extra tax on my house wiring could cause a fire.

When internet access is not available , Metro programs are unavailable too. I do use Metro for secure banking , bill paying and shopping but that's about it.
 

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Sorry, I HAVE to have a full Start Menu with all of the Shortcuts to every program on my system.
 

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Metro can be run concurrently on more than one monitor at a time in Windows 8.1. It may not be desirable but its doable. Just saying.

Really, I'd be interested in how that works......

When you open a second metro app you can drag it over to a second display. You can do split screen too and have 4 apps on screen with two monitors. I've done it just to confirm it works but to be honest I rarely have more than one Metro App open on screen at a time.
 

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- Metro is totally inappropriate if you need several windows open at the same time -

Metro can be run concurrently on more than one monitor at a time in Windows 8.1. It may not be desirable but its doable. Just saying.
.
Maybe , not everyone can afford extra monitors to multi-task Metro Apps. Or maybe wouldn't want to. There are times I have 10+ windows open at the same time. The purchase cost and monthly electric cost for 10 monitors is out of reach and the extra tax on my house wiring could cause a fire.

When internet access is not available , Metro programs are unavailable too. I do use Metro for secure banking , bill paying and shopping but that's about it.

Like I said, its doable but may not be desirable. I was just pointing out that Metro isn't full screen only one screen only anymore. I can display 4 metro apps in split screen on my two desktop monitors. maybe more? I only went as far as four.
 

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When you open a second metro app you can drag it over to a second display. You can do split screen too and have 4 apps on screen with two monitors. I've done it just to confirm it works but to be honest I rarely have more than one Metro App open on screen at a time.

Yep, I typically have Skype open in a tiny fraction of my right monitor (I have 3 monitors) and I have the weather app open in a tiny fraction on my left monitor. I have the mail app open in half of remaining area on the right, and desktop in the rest, and I have outlook (desktop version) open on the desktop area on the left.

So I have 3 apps open on right monitor, 2 of them metro, one the desktop itself, which has Fences for various documents I use daily. On the left I have Weather and Outlook, my main screen is either a browser, or Visual Studio, or whatever...
 

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When you open a second metro app you can drag it over to a second display. You can do split screen too and have 4 apps on screen with two monitors. I've done it just to confirm it works but to be honest I rarely have more than one Metro App open on screen at a time.

Yep, I typically have Skype open in a tiny fraction of my right monitor (I have 3 monitors) and I have the weather app open in a tiny fraction on my left monitor. I have the mail app open in half of remaining area on the right, and desktop in the rest, and I have outlook (desktop version) open on the desktop area on the left.

So I have 3 apps open on right monitor, 2 of them metro, one the desktop itself, which has Fences for various documents I use daily. On the left I have Weather and Outlook, my main screen is either a browser, or Visual Studio, or whatever...

I usually have outlook (desktop version) open full screen on my second monitor and IE (desktop version) open full screen on my main monitor. I'll have slacker radio running but not on screen. I let the weather app run as a live tile full size, extra large I guess in 8.1. I have one of my trackball keys programed to be the Windows key. I'll just have a peak at the Start Screen now and then to see what the weathers doing. If I had a third monitor I would be doing something like what your doing. I actually have a third monitor I just need a video card upgrade to make use of it. I have some other upgrades to do first though. Eventually though I hope to be in three monitor heaven.
 

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If I had a third monitor I would be doing something like what your doing. I actually have a third monitor I just need a video card upgrade to make use of it. I have some other upgrades to do first though. Eventually though I hope to be in three monitor heaven.

Yeah, the video card was the stumbler. I got a nice NVidia GTX 650 with 2 DVI and HDMI output, and it works great. Then I upgraded to a motherboard with Thunderbolt, so I could have done Displayport.. lol.. I think right now I can support 6 monitors.
 

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@ alphanumeric and Mystere

Hotkeys in 8.1 for snapping are WinKey/Arrows. I believe there are hotkeys for monitor focus and of course app focus. Within the multi-monitor scenario, if one wants to rearrange apps to different screens, are there hotkeys to perform that?

@ Mystere

What do you mean by "tiny fraction"? I can snap [ 1/2 ][ 1/2 ] or [1/3][ 2/3 ]. I'm guessing all this depends on screen size and resolution?
 

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    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
I have a GT 640, two DVI and one HDMI, I don't know if it will do 3 monitors. My monitors are all VGA/DVI so I haven't bothered to try connecting all three. I only just recently bought it so I haven't done much other than swapping it in. My current motherboard only has the one PCIe port. It was a budget system so what can I say.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
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