Alternative layouts for start bar (too many programs!)

martienne

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I find it irritating to have to scroll to "page 2" of the start bar using the little arrows.
Just because I have a lot of programs open at the same time.
Is there anyway that I can get all open programs to display on the same "page" of the bar?
I think it used to be possible in earlier versions of windows.
 

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For Metro, you just need to make up folders.
 

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Is there anyway that I can get all open programs to display on the same "page" of the bar?
I think it used to be possible in earlier versions of windows.

What do you mean by start bar? Start Screen? Or Taskbar?

You would like to view OPEN programs?

on the same "page" of the bar?

Have you tried the Windows Switcher ? Alt + Tab / Tab / Tab or Ctrl Alt Tab / Tab etc...

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/10135-window-switcher-shortcut-create-windows-8-a.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/19171-switcher-shortcut-create-windows-8-a.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/19749-switcher-enable-disable-top-left-corner-windows-8-a.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4625-switcher-open-windows-8-a.html

ws2.jpg
 
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mdmd, they are talking about the Metro Interface.
 

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mdmd, they are talking about the Metro Interface.

ok. hope so, but either way, the windows switcher shows open programs anywhere.
As my pic shows, > the switcher on the start screen.

Still, Startbar ?

I have my own quirks about some things.
Like clicks, ... I click thousands of times a day, so I don't have issues with working the system.
 

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Also, what does the thread starter mean by open ?...
Often, on this global forum, English is not the first language.

Configuring the start screen to eliminate the 2nd page, if that is of interest, requires unpinning.
If it is an issue to visit the apps view screen, ... oh well, best of luck.
And if the edge UI is disabled, then thumbnail switching is disabled.

As far as making up folders, I have done that and
loaded the apps view with hundreds of shortcuts all of which are available in search by a few key entries.
 

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I would still like a definition of "Start bar" or at least a picture of it. It may be a new feature I'm not familiar with.
 

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I’m quite sure the OP is referring to the Start Screen for the “little arrows” are mentioned. They and the scroll bar are quite small on it.

There will be those that disagree, but a keyboard is faster at navigation in Windows than a mouse (except when it comes to browsers). Always has been IMO. It is truer in 8.x than ever before. I’m beginning to see that we “keyboarders” are able to adapt to the new UI easier whereas the “mousers” are frustrated. This is not to say that it’s not Ok to use the mouse > To each their own, however if one is going to use that peripheral then learn all the mouse gestures that are available.

Every now and then I’ll use the mouse for about a week just to learn what’s new. No need to use the scroll bar, the “little arrows”, or scroll wheel at all when on the Start Screen. Simply roll the mouse right (then left again for return if necessary). Mouse and keyboard: What's new in Windows - Microsoft Windows Help

We keyboarders would simply use the arrow keys, Page Up, Page Down, Home, and End keys, or a combination of them when on the Start Screen. Mdmd mentioned Alt/Tab for switcher, of which I use all the time.

With that I’ll post this with Alt/S. J
 

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I’m quite sure the OP is referring to the Start Screen for the “little arrows” are mentioned. They and the scroll bar are quite small on it.

There will be those that disagree, but a keyboard is faster at navigation in Windows than a mouse (except when it comes to browsers). Always has been IMO. It is truer in 8.x than ever before. I’m beginning to see that we “keyboarders” are able to adapt to the new UI easier whereas the “mousers” are frustrated. This is not to say that it’s not Ok to use the mouse > To each their own, however if one is going to use that peripheral then learn all the mouse gestures that are available.

Every now and then I’ll use the mouse for about a week just to learn what’s new. No need to use the scroll bar, the “little arrows”, or scroll wheel at all when on the Start Screen. Simply roll the mouse right (then left again for return if necessary). Mouse and keyboard: What's new in Windows - Microsoft Windows Help

We keyboarders would simply use the arrow keys, Page Up, Page Down, Home, and End keys, or a combination of them when on the Start Screen. Mdmd mentioned Alt/Tab for switcher, of which I use all the time.

With that I’ll post this with Alt/S. J
Old school, eh ? I use whatever is under my hand at the time but I prefer mouse, just can't get bothered remembering all the shortcuts (yeah, I know, getting old and never learned to type without looking at the keyboard). I was ecstatic when I started using Atari ST just because of the mouse.
 

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Hi there
this is where the Classical menu helps.

What I actually suggest you do is use CUSTOM TOOLBARS

I think I had a thread on it

http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/35991-creating-usable-pgm-toolbar-sub-menus.html


Now apparently in the Windows update 2 we *might* be able to launch metro apps also so there's no reason why you couldn't extend this method as well -- what you need to do is find the name of the Metro executable app and link it into your custom toolbar.

The metro app can be pinned to the quick launch taskbar so it's only a question of finding out what the executable is.
This method works and DOESN'T NEED any 3rd party apps or Registry hacks !!!!!

(Tested on Windows 8.1 -- can't say though on W8 but in theory should work).

To Launch from the desktop -- I'm still playing with this but if you in CMD mode (user - you don't need elevated / enhanced mode so you can make a script to execute it easily) simply type

explorer shell:Appsfolder\application name where application name is determined from APPUSERMODELID

you'll see all the apps including metro apps - click on your choice. However I'm still working on getting just the METRO apps into my custom toolbar.

Press F10 / Hit View ==>choose details and click the 3 boxes Name, Long Display name, AppuserModelID

now choose display DETAILS in the file explorer and you'll see the extra columns including the APPuserModelID


From this point it's now easy -- you simply right mouse click on your desktop and create shortcut =>new

type in the script - for example the Sports application

explorer shell:Appsfolder\Microsoft.BingSports_8wekyb3d8bbwe!AppexSports

This will appear on your desktop -- I need to sort out sensible icons for these but it works !! -- excuse the Printer icon but I'm just testing

The idea is to add these to my custom toolbar - so I can also CASCADE these at will.


Now working on getting these apps on to a custom decent toolbar.


watch typing errors - however if you browse into your standard user (home) folder documents==>appdata==>local==>Microsoft==>windows==>application short cuts you should see the metro stuff so right click==properties now you can copy and paste !!!.


Cheers
jimbo
 

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Now, if there was only a method to make Start screen open by just placing cursor over Start button without clicking on it.
 

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Now, if there was only a method to make Start screen open by just placing cursor over Start button without clicking on it.

Now, if there was only a method to make Start Menu open in 7 (and previous) by just placing cursor over Start button in without clicking on it. :p

Windows key now more important than ever IMO.
 

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Now, if there was only a method to make Start screen open by just placing cursor over Start button without clicking on it.

Now, if there was only a method to make Start Menu open 7 (and previous) by just placing cursor over Start button in without clicking on it. :p

Windows key now more important than ever IMO.
With number of programs I have installed, old menu filled up whole screen so I rarely used it anyway.
 

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Now, if there was only a method to make Start screen open by just placing cursor over Start button without clicking on it.

Now, if there was only a method to make Start Menu open 7 (and previous) by just placing cursor over Start button in without clicking on it. :p

Windows key now more important than ever IMO.
With number of programs I have installed, old menu filled up whole screen so I rarely used it anyway.

"Old menu" meaning the Start Menu? If so, then what did you do? Start plastering shortcuts on the Desktop or Taskbar?
 

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    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
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    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
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Hi there

I still think my way works best -- I've got the Metro apps to Cascade now in the custom toolbar -- follow my previous post in this thread and then add your Metro short cut you've created to the custom toolbar file -- saves you leaving the desktop when you want to launch a metro app - especially if you are using several screens. (Need to change the icon though !!)

Saves cluttering up the Taskbar / quick launch bar with too many Icons (often see that problem !!) or filling the desktop. Note you can have DIFFERENT toolbars too if you really want to separate out applications.

Another thing is that if you re-install Windows / update it you can still keep the same toolbar since it's in a USER file on your HDD. No need to re-create it all over again -- just point to the file you saved on any HDD.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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You lot seem to have a lot more programs installed than me. Surely if you can't remember what they are called you don't use them much and may as well delete them. If you can remember then there is nothing to say - :winkey: + "exc" takes me to excel, :winkey: + "cent" takes me to centos running in VMware. Both are far faster than wandering though some hierarchy

EDIT : of course you could do that on 7 also - and I did
 

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You lot seem to have a lot more programs installed than me. Surely if you can't remember what they are called you don't use them much and may as well delete them. If you can remember then there is nothing to say - :winkey: + "exc" takes me to excel, :winkey: + "cent" takes me to centos running in VMware. Both are far faster than wandering though some hierarchy

EDIT : of course you could do that on 7 also - and I did
Sure I have a lot of programs installed but not used all the time. In my case, I like using small programs doing just one or two things at the time. 99% of that are freeware. Those do it all programs that I can and need to use only few percent of their possibilities are just too cumbersome (and expensive). For instance, instead of using Adobe graphic suite I use separate programs for photos, free drawing and picture manipulating and conversion. Each one does a particular job better than Adobe. Most of the time I have to use just one of those programs which avoids all the hassle of opening Photoshop, hunting appropriate plugin or feature etc. (to say nothing about the price and going thru the hoops of paying for it). Few extra icons or tiles is a small price to pay for convenience.
Same goes for video, music etc.
 

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