Organizing Windows 8

[Omlet]

Hello,

Right, so I've always had issues with organization in the past, but I'd like to start fresh with Windows 8. Here's my current setup:



In order to minimize clutter I'm using Launchy as my main way of getting to my programs and games. I'm trying to avoid redundancy, so I'm not sure what I should put on the taskbar nor what I should put on the desktop itself. I was thinking of only using apps on the Metro UI and putting shortcuts to common folders on the taskbar (it seems I can only pin to file explorer and not have individual icons for each folder).

Any suggestions?

 

[wglmb]

Does Launchy do anything that you can't do just by typing in the start screen? It's been so many years since I used Launchy, I can't remember if it has any functions that you can't achieve natively in Windows 8...

 

[Omlet]

Does Launchy do anything that you can't do just by typing in the start screen? It's been so many years since I used Launchy, I can't remember if it has any functions that you can't achieve natively in Windows 8...

I found it alot faster than using the search in the Charm Bar. It's as simple as typing in the first few characters of a name of a program and it'll instantly find it. I can also specify which folders to index and what file types to filter. I normally wouldn't have used it in a Windows 7 environment, but I find it quite useful in Windows 8.

 

[Coke Robot]

I believe you can do the same with the indexed search settings.

Personally, I've tried around with different usage patterns myself, and the one that makes sense to me, considering I use the Start Screen, is to not have anything pinned to the Desktop or Taskbar like yours. I launch everything from Start when I need it. I find it as the Desktop is the main performance stage, where Start is the backstage to grab a prop or two.

Try pinning a folder or a Library or hard drive to the Start Screen by right clicking it while in Explorer and hitting Pin to Start. Makes things easier.

 

[fafhrd]

http://www.eightforums.com/customization/5442-i-dont-miss-start-menu-all-heres-why-2.html#post85803

- might give you some ideas using toolbars - the desktop toolbar, with the desktop icons hidden, can be a powerful way to access all your programs and important folders without any clutter.