Solved Is it possible to dynamically change the order of icons in taskbar?

[nuspieds]

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!

 

[DustSailor]

Hello, nuspieds,

RIGHT-click the file/program and click 'pin to start menu'.

 

[carwiz]

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.

 

[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

@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.

 

[nuspieds]

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.

 

[nuspieds]

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.

 

[nuspieds]

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

@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.

 

[Duzzy]

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.