Have Program Open Same Place on Desktop?

[technomann]

This may be a stupid question, but I have a few programs that I like to load on Windows startup. Is there any way to have a program open in the same desktop location every time, rather than in the middle of the screen?

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[Layback Bear]

I don't really understand your question. If you are asking if you can have a program start lets say always on the left or right of the screen; I don't think Windows can do that. That's my opinion.

 

[technomann]

I don't really understand your question. If you are asking if you can have a program start lets say always on the left or right of the screen; I don't think Windows can do that. That's my opinion.

Yes, that's exactly what I want. I want WinAmp to always open in the upper left corner of the screen. But I fear that you are correct - I don't think that it is possible...

Thanks.

 

[Oaken]

There are some native window layout options if you right click the taskbar? I've not used them myself though they might be useful for you???

Otherwise, I use Actual Windows Manager 60 day TRIAL ($49.95 US). Not a plug, I've tried many programs and AWM provides the control I want, including a window targeting tool for stubborn programs.

You could also have a look at GridMove (FREEWARE) which is similar. Though I haven't used it for a while, it is well supported and the community offer custom solutions and grids.

Usually if you open Winamp by itself, it should open in the same place. Perhaps if you use a utility (native or otherwise) to designate the desktop regions for the other programs you open, Winamp might adopt the remaining area???

 

[dsperber]

Yes, that's exactly what I want. I want WinAmp to always open in the upper left corner of the screen.

I don't know why this is not happening for you.

Assuming the program itself has been written to "remember" its size and location (wherever you dragged it to last, before you closed its program window) it should restore itself to that exact same desktop location the next time you open it up.

Winamp in particular absolutely does remember its location, but it has some "skins" and other further GUI characteristics which don't really allow re-sizing in the usual rectangular window fashion. Also, Winamp's GUI causes a "snap" to neighboring windows of itself (e.g. Playlist Editor, main Winamp window, Media Library, Album Art... these are all separate Winamp Windows but can "magnetically snap to each other" if you want) if you get them close to each other.

But if you simply move the main Winamp window (with the others closed for the moment) to where you want it to be, and then close the program, when you next open it you should see it exactly where it last was.


Other programs which have more conventional rectangular window GUI presentations than Winamp should absolutely remember both (a) where they are located on the desktop from wherever you dragged the window to, and (b) the SIZE of their outer main window, however you resized the window by dragging on edges or corners.

Of course, not every program has been written to "remember" its size and location. And unfortunately these do tend to open up by default in the center of the desktop, with a default size. This is not a Windows problem... it's an application/vendor program coding style problem. Take it up with the vendor.

But for Winamp... you can absolutely move it anywhere and it should remember where it is the next time you open the program. But again, Winamp has some GUI oddities because of its multi-window presentation, along with the "magnetic snap" behavior of its window, either to each other or to the edges of the desktop to the physical screen.

 

[technomann]

Yes, that's exactly what I want. I want WinAmp to always open in the upper left corner of the screen.

I don't know why this is not happening for you.

Assuming the program itself has been written to "remember" its size and location (wherever you dragged it to last, before you closed its program window) it should restore itself to that exact same desktop location the next time you open it up.

Winamp in particular absolutely does remember its location, but it has some "skins" and other further GUI characteristics which don't really allow re-sizing in the usual rectangular window fashion. Also, Winamp's GUI causes a "snap" to neighboring windows of itself (e.g. Playlist Editor, main Winamp window, Media Library, Album Art... these are all separate Winamp Windows but can "magnetically snap to each other" if you want) if you get them close to each other.

But if you simply move the main Winamp window (with the others closed for the moment) to where you want it to be, and then close the program, when you next open it you should see it exactly where it last was.


Other programs which have more conventional rectangular window GUI presentations than Winamp should absolutely remember both (a) where they are located on the desktop from wherever you dragged the window to, and (b) the SIZE of their outer main window, however you resized the window by dragging on edges or corners.

Of course, not every program has been written to "remember" its size and location. And unfortunately these do tend to open up by default in the center of the desktop, with a default size. This is not a Windows problem... it's an application/vendor program coding style problem. Take it up with the vendor.

But for Winamp... you can absolutely move it anywhere and it should remember where it is the next time you open the program. But again, Winamp has some GUI oddities because of its multi-window presentation, along with the "magnetic snap" behavior of its window, either to each other or to the edges of the desktop to the physical screen.

Thanks a lot for your response. WinAmp was a new install on a new machine, and for some reason it would not remember it's location or its settings. It was opening in the middle of the screen with the Equalizer separate window open as well, even though this was not how I closed the program before shutting down. The issue seems to have resolved itself now, however, and the program is now opening in it's last open location. Strange.

Thanks again!

 

[Layback Bear]

Well I think I learned something. I knew the window would remember it's size but I didn't know it would remember it's location.

 

[Tang]

Revisited

Believe it or not folks - We are getting 7 rolled out at work!

Funny thing tho - on SOME of the machines (with the same image), the applications do not "remember" where they were shut down. So when the applications are restarted... They are in what appears to be some random location on the screen.

When you normally open a handful of emulators every day, it's a pain in the but to have to re-position each one.

One upon a time I remember a trick with IE - and getting THAT to open up in the same place. I think the deal was to size and position the IE window where you wanted it, and to Hold down the shift key while closing it. It's been so long.. but there IS a trick to forcing Windows to remember these locations when it's not doing as it should. Any other Older hands remember what I am talking about?

My problem at work still exists on some machines... I know there is a way to open these aps in the desired location - but I just cant remember anything but that trick with IE.... Which I will try today... But I know there is somebody out there who actually KNOWS ::grin::