Setting up Windows 7 to function like XP

higgins · 26 Jan 2010

Anthony said:

Is this any good to you higgins? Classic Windows Start Menu

For me the thread has already served its purpose as I've managed to un-link the windows completely, but by all means it can be used to gather all the XP-related mods. :)

V3xar · 26 Jan 2010

dsperber said:

Ok... one more request.

Under WinXP you could create a shortcut for a file (e.g. PDF, Word document, or in my current case a particular CFG/INI-like file that launches an IBM 3270 remote host TN3270 application customized to a specific configuration).

That shortcut could be placed on the desktop or START menu where it could be launched from. Same with Win7.

However under WinXP that same shortcut could also be placed on the Quicklaunch toolbar, and launched from there as well with the convenient single-click. Unfortunately, the normal Win7 super-bar does not allow this same facility. You cannot "pin" a shortcut for a file, nor can you even drag/drop it from the desktop to the super-bar.

So... without actually activating the WinXP-like Quicklaunch feature (e.g. according to this particular tutorial) is there any "native" way to get a file-shortcut available on the super-bar (i.e. "pin")?

Dsperber,

Have a look at this information.Pin Any Item to the Windows 7 Taskbar - windows 7 - Lifehacker

Follow the link to "Folder on taskbar" as well.

You may find that this is what you are looking for.

Hope this helps.:)

.

dsperber · 26 Jan 2010

V3xar said:

Dsperber,

Have a look at this information.Pin Any Item to the Windows 7 Taskbar - windows 7 - Lifehacker

Follow the link to "Folder on taskbar" as well.

You may find that this is what you are looking for.

Hope this helps.:)

It's a miracle!! You are a gentleman and a scholar!

WORKS PERFECTLY! All it took was putting the word "explorer " in front of the existing value in the "Target" field of the shortcut, and this now allows both (a) the RMB popup menu on the shortcut to include the "pin to taskbar" item to be presented, and (b) drag/drop the shortcut onto any place on the superbar (two adjacent objects will spread out and space for it will appear as you hover the object over exactly where you want it to go in the superbar).

The only caveat is the fact that placing "explorer " in front of the Target value also changes the icon to be a folder, rather than the actual associated-program icon originally shown when the shortcut was initially created. So you have to go back and "change icon" back to that associated program's... a minor step.

Nevertheless, once that's done (say, manipulating the shortcut object sent to the Desktop for this secondary manipulation), the new "explorer " version can be sent or drag/dropped to the superbar, exactly as I wanted. And clicking on it it really does result in an "instant launch", with no indication that Explorer is involved at all... exactly as it launched the associated program from Quicklaunch in WinXP.

EXCELLENT!

I actually like the UI of the superbar, and didn't really want to resurrect the Quicklaunch toolbar. I only wanted to get these file-related shortcuts always visible and easily launchable (as they were in WinXP in the Quicklaunch area), and this "explorer " method is perfect for my desires.

MANY MANY THANKS.

V3xar · 26 Jan 2010

It is a pleasure Dsperber:)

Glad to have been of assistance.

.

dsperber · 26 Jan 2010

Just one more remark...

Unlike ordinary program object shortcuts on the superbar which expand in the superbar when the programs are launched (visibly showing them as active... as with the WinXP taskbar), these file shortcuts with the "explorer " modification do not expand when placed on the superbar and launched from there. So they serve as always-visible, easy-to-launch single-click shortcuts, as the WinXP Quicklaunch toolbar served as... but they don't quite behave the same as program shortcuts on the superbar that get launched from the superbar.

In contrast, when these same file object shortcuts are launched from either a desktop shortcut or a START menu shortcut (both with or without the "explorer " prefix) an expanded entry IS created at the end of the icon list on the superbar indicating that they are now active (and, of course, which disappears when the program/file is closed).

gvstn · 27 Jan 2010

V3xar, Thank you so much! :)

I've been trying to pin a folder to the superbar as a separate icon for months. Nothing worked like the old Quick Launch. This finally works as I want without any unnecessary tweak program running in the background with extra options I don't need. I appreciate the information. LifeHacker is a good site with some neat tips but I would never have found it over there.

Thanks to all at sevenforums. You have a great site that has helped me before, but I am especially impressed with finding this info here. A 10 minute search and 3 threads led me to the answer I have been looking for all over the web.

dashesy · 29 Jan 2010

Thanks for the info in this post.
One problem with taskbar is not still solved for me though. The XP taskbar makes it very clear which window is active. After ungrouping the windows the way windows 7 highlights the active window just does not work for me, having all the windows of the same application (say firefox) be near each other makes this indistinctness even worse. Is there a way to tell the visual style to make the active window actually look grey (like a button being pushed in all previous windows versions)? The buttons look too bright and pale looking to me even after disabling Aero and increasing the color intensity in Personalization menu. Now going to Win2k style is not a reasonable choice.
I think win7 is going to be the next XP, but if this seemingly simple annoyances are not fixed I doubt it gets as much attention.