| Windows 7: Is it possible to dynamically change the order of icons in taskbar? |
28 Apr 2012
|
#1 | | |
Is it possible to dynamically change the order of icons in taskbar? I'm hoping that is can be accomplished via the registry or something like that. Here's the reason for my question:
I am using a laptop and it's LCD screen resolution is max 1900x1200. The icons in my Task bar are in a specific order/location. For example, on the LCD screen, I have two rows of icons and one of my most-frequently used apps is the last one on row 1.
However, when I dock my laptop, my external monitor is 2560x1600 and now I only have one row of icons. Thus, that app that was at the end of row 1 is no longer at the end and now I have to "search" for it each time because I'm accustomed to it being at the end.
So, would I be able to dynamically change the order of the icons myself via the registry or something? Basically, I'm hoping to run a script/batch file that would set the order depending on whether I'm docked or not.
Thanks! | My System Specs |
| OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 |
29 Apr 2012
|
#2 | | Windows 8 Pro with Media Center x64 Southern California, USA |
Hello, nuspieds,
RIGHT-click the file/program and click 'pin to start menu'. | My System Specs | | Computer type PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number Dell Inspiron M5040 OS Windows 8 Pro with Media Center x64 CPU AMD E-450 APU 1.65 GHz Memory 4GB Graphics Card Built-in Radeon HD 6320 Graphics Screen Resolution 1366 x 768 Mouse Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 Cooling fan Hard Drives 500GB Internet Speed 2.86Mbps Download Speed, 2.85Mbps Upload Speed & 26ms Ping Antivirus Defender Browser IE10 |
29 Apr 2012
|
#3 | | Windows 7 Pro-x64 South Texas |
Why not just move the one(s) you use most often to the front or first?
Left click and hold then drag the icon to the order you want. | My System Specs | | Computer type PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number Built 2/11/2011 OS Windows 7 Pro-x64 CPU i7-2600 3.4GHz - 3.8GHz Turbo Motherboard Intel DH67BL-B3 Memory 8Gb - 2x4GB, Muskin 991770 PC3-1333 Graphics Card Integrated Intel HD 2000 Sound Card Integrated Intel 10.1 HD, RealTek ALC892 Monitor(s) Displays Asus LCD VH222H, Haier HL24XSL2a Screen Resolution 1920x1080, 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech EX100 Wireless Mouse Logitech EX100 Wireless PSU Seasonic 650W 80+ Gold Modular Case Rosewill Defender Cooling Stock CPU, Four 120mm case fans, PCH fan added Hard Drives Crucial C300-128Gb,
Western Digital WD5002AALX - 500Gb,
Western Digital WD7501AALS - 750Gb Internet Speed 2.5/1.5 Mbs Antivirus Microsoft Security Essentials Browser Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 Other Info Antec Veris Premier-Multimedia IR Station,
Cyber Accoustics-3602 Speakers,
AFT XM-5U Card Reader,
Hauppauge TV-HVR-2250,
Sony LX300 USB Turntable |
29 Apr 2012
|
#4 | | |
Export this reg key and save as something like LaptopTaskbar.reg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Taskband
Dock your laptop and re-arrange your icons then export the key again saving this time as DockedTaskbar.reg
And here's a batch file that will allow you to select and change Code: @echo off
:START
echo.
echo 1. Laptop
echo 2. Docked
echo.
echo C. Cancel
echo.
set /p TB=Select taskbar:
if %TB%==1 goto TB1
if %TB%==2 goto TB2
if /i %TB%==c exit
cls
echo.
echo %TB% is not a valid choice
echo Please enter 1 or 2
echo.
goto START
:TB1
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
reg import LaptopTaskbar.reg
goto END
:TB2
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
reg import DockedTaskbar.reg
:END
start explorer.exe Now you have to close and restart Explorer to refresh and show the changes and the problem with this is it will close any Windows Explorer windows as well. So if you have any folders open they will need to be re-opened.
As is the reg files must exist in the same location as the batch file but you can simply add full paths to them.
You can also add or remove icons not just re-arrange them. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 CPU Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 2.5GHz (3.77GHz OC) Motherboard Asus P5Q-E Memory Corsair 4GB DDR2 (4x1GB CM2X1024-6400C4) Graphics Card Palit GeForce GTS 250 (1024MB) Sound Card On Board (ADI AD2000B 8ch HD) Monitor(s) Displays Samsung 32in LCD TV Screen Resolution 1360x768 Keyboard Logitech MX5000 Laser (Combo) Mouse Logitech MX5000 Laser (Combo) PSU 550W Antec Neo HE 550 Case Antec P180 Cooling Xigmatex Red Scorpion CPU Cooler. 3x120mm Fans Hard Drives 2 x 1TB Samsung 103SJ (Raid0)
2 x External 500GB Samsung 502IJ (NexStar 3 HD Enclosures) Internet Speed ADSL2+ (avg 10 Mbps Down, 0.80 Mbps up) Other Info Gigabyte GN-WP01GS 54g Wireless Lan Card |
30 Apr 2012
|
#5 | | |

Quote: Originally Posted by DustSailor Hello, nuspieds,
RIGHT-click the file/program and click 'pin to start menu'. No, this is about my Task bar apps, which only require a one-click to launch. My start menu is reserved for apps for which I don't mind having multiple clicks in order to locate and then launch the app.
I want a one-click lauch, which is why these apps are on my Task bar. | My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 |
30 Apr 2012
|
#6 | | |

Quote: Originally Posted by carwiz Why not just move the one(s) you use most often to the front or first?  Ummm, perhaps the front is already occupied with the most-often used?
Because I have two rows, the end of row one was another quick/blind way to move my mouse to that location, where I specifically located other frequently-used apps. | My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 |
30 Apr 2012
|
#7 | | |

Quote: Originally Posted by Duzzy Export this reg key and save as something like LaptopTaskbar.reg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Taskband
Dock your laptop and re-arrange your icons then export the key again saving this time as DockedTaskbar.reg
And here's a batch file that will allow you to select and change Code: @echo off
:START
echo.
echo 1. Laptop
echo 2. Docked
echo.
echo C. Cancel
echo.
set /p TB=Select taskbar:
if %TB%==1 goto TB1
if %TB%==2 goto TB2
if /i %TB%==c exit
cls
echo.
echo %TB% is not a valid choice
echo Please enter 1 or 2
echo.
goto START
:TB1
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
reg import LaptopTaskbar.reg
goto END
:TB2
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
reg import DockedTaskbar.reg
:END
start explorer.exe Now you have to close and restart Explorer to refresh and show the changes and the problem with this is it will close any Windows Explorer windows as well. So if you have any folders open they will need to be re-opened.
As is the reg files must exist in the same location as the batch file but you can simply add full paths to them.
You can also add or remove icons not just re-arrange them. Yes, something like that would work.
The only problem, though, is when I am adding/deleting/reorgnanzing some of the other icons. Not a big deal, I just have to recreate the .reg files, but I have to remember to do so.
I'm keeping this solution on the side for the moment, though. Right now I've moved them closer to the front to see if I can get accustomed to them there. But right now my hand is still intuitively moving the mouse to the end of the list when I want to launch those apps.
If I still can't retrain myself, I'll down the script and .reg files road. | My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 |
01 May 2012
|
#8 | | |
Quote: The only problem, though, is when I am adding/deleting/reorgnanzing some of the other icons. Not a big deal, I just have to recreate the .reg files, but I have to remember to do so. Yes that is a problem with my soulution. Every time you make a change to either of the Taskbar views you will need to remember to recreate the reg file for the view that you changed.
To make it easier you can create a batch file you simple run to export the key rather than having to open regedit, browse to key, etc.... Well that will help with exporting them anyway, but I can't help you remember. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 CPU Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 2.5GHz (3.77GHz OC) Motherboard Asus P5Q-E Memory Corsair 4GB DDR2 (4x1GB CM2X1024-6400C4) Graphics Card Palit GeForce GTS 250 (1024MB) Sound Card On Board (ADI AD2000B 8ch HD) Monitor(s) Displays Samsung 32in LCD TV Screen Resolution 1360x768 Keyboard Logitech MX5000 Laser (Combo) Mouse Logitech MX5000 Laser (Combo) PSU 550W Antec Neo HE 550 Case Antec P180 Cooling Xigmatex Red Scorpion CPU Cooler. 3x120mm Fans Hard Drives 2 x 1TB Samsung 103SJ (Raid0)
2 x External 500GB Samsung 502IJ (NexStar 3 HD Enclosures) Internet Speed ADSL2+ (avg 10 Mbps Down, 0.80 Mbps up) Other Info Gigabyte GN-WP01GS 54g Wireless Lan Card Is it possible to dynamically change the order of icons in taskbar? problems? All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:23 PM. | |