Windows 7 - ANN: Classic Shell - start menu and other features

If the classic menu was able to be called programatically then the task of setting an alternate launch button next to the start orb is possible using normal UI options for the taskbar

Using a taskbar toolbar containing a shortcut to launch the classic menu and placing the toolbar next to the start orb

Oh, I have no doubt this can be done. But before I go and implement a whole new feature I'm trying to understand the exact need of the user.

It is not just the task of launching the menu through alternate means - that's easy. Simply locate the start button and post a private message to it.

I also need to add an option to not launch it through normal click on the orb. Adding a new options makes the UI more complex for everybody else.

And things are complicated further because the "start button" may not be at the corner of the screen. You can place that toolbar in the middle of the taskbar. That creates a whole new set of situations that need to be tested - should the menu expand to the left or to the right?

Sorry, but you misunderstand me. I am not asking for a hotkey.

I wish to have the ability (in the setting menu) to have a separate icon for "Classic Start Menu" – just like a pinned program in taskbar.
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And I found a small error:

When I create a "top" menu then I can not sort the corresponding sub menu entries. "Drag-and-move-and-drop" is not possible. The sub menu is strict alphabetical sorted.

But when I copy that "top" menu as sub menu to "Program" then I can sort the corresponding sub menu entries. "Drag-and-move-and-drop" is then possible.

See picture: I want to sort "top" menu "Office" so that "Word", "Excel" and "Powerpoint" is on the top. As sub menu of "Program" I can sort.

Yes, I understand what you are asking. I was wonding if this new coming feature will solve your problem, even if it is not the solution you are proposing.

Edit: How about middle-click? This way you can have the new menu on left-click and classic menu on middle-click. This is by far easier to implement than adding an extra button. The extra button will significantly increase the complexity of the code without adding any significant benefit.

Yes, I am able to reproduce the problem. Will try to fix it in the next version.

Your main focus is to make it easy to use for keyboard junkies.
My intention is to make it also easy to use for mouse pusher.

OK - that's also a good way. But then: Left-click for classic menu and middle-click for Windows 7 menu. Because: When you install classic menu you mainly want to have the classic menu - and only seldom use the Windows 7 menu.

Then it's like the behaviour of the using of icons in taskbar:
Left-click - the normal using: Open / minimize / maximize a program.
Middle-click - seldom used function: Opens a second instance of a program.

I understand.

I followed the development of another classic menu. There was the first step to create a separate program with an separate icon - like a "normal" program. In further development the programmer disables the appearance of a separate program icon and move the function to the start orb. In this case it was easier to rollback the last development step.

I think your way is just the opposite: You start with "start orb" replacement - and now it's more work to create a separate icon.
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Remarks:
In the settings menu - what are the function of: "Show Undock"? I don't see any difference.

And perhaps in the help file it should make clearer that "Use Current Theme" not complete uses all theme abilities; e.g. not the transparency and not menu background color. I see only the hover button from the current theme.

Ah, even better. Then we don't need an option for that. I don't want to add options for everything anyone can think of. I've seen many open-source projects with tons of options because they want to cover every wish of every user. I don't want to go there. Part of a good design is to know what to make customizable and what not.

That's because the developer didn't know how to do it right from the beginning . And BTW, I am not "replacing" the orb. It is still the system orb, but my menu opens up when you click it. There is a big difference (both on the inside, and in the look and feel).

The "Undock computer" menu item appears only for notebooks attached to a docking station. There is also "Disconnect", which is only visible when you are connected through Remote Desktop.

I intentionally left it vague, because in the future I want to add more themed graphical elements. Currently the menu background color, the text color, and the selection highlight use the theme settings. I'm guessing (I hope) if you run on a theme with green menus, my menu will be green too.
I tried adding some glass but couldn't make it look good enough to be worth the trouble. I need to consult a graphic designer. Also glass doesn't play nice with the menu animations (fade, slide, etc). I will look into this again, but after I have a fully functioning and stable version (like 1.0)

A new version is available for download: http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/

The new versions fixes all reported problems and adds some new features:
- fixed the bug when you click next to the orb and the default menu shows up
- fixed the bug where you can't edit the folders at the top level menu (including the Favorites folder)
- added Properties button in the Explorer toolbar
- added hotkey setting (so you can open the classic menu with a hotkey and the default menu with the Win key)
- added support for group policies, like "Hide Run", "Always show Log Off", etc
- check the HISTORY.txt file for all changes

What didn't make it in this version:
- use middle click to open the default menu (instead of Shift+click). This is much harder than initially anticipated, partially because middle click is used by Windows 7 for other tasks. I will revisit this but after the first official version 1.0 is released
- glass effects. Again, this is planned after 1.0

Woaa this is nice , and do you have plans on implementing a code to disable the auto-arrange thing?? and also to have the status bar with free space label??

thnx

What exactly do you mean by the "auto-arrange thing"?

Very nice work bro, 1 Question, how to make the new menu of Windows 7 as the default menu and Classic Shell as the alternative, from what I see, when doing the Shift and click on Windows start button, it will bring the new menu of Windows 7.