Looking at Win7 Taskbar App-Launchers.

I'm looking at Win7 app-launchers (of the taskbar type) such as 7Stacks, Jumplist-Launcher and StandaloneStack. If anyone has had experience with any of those (or ?) I would be very interested in receiving your feedback.

I want to unclutter my desktop by placing icons of similar apps into a taskbar icon for each grouping. Then by clicking on (or hovering over) a 'group icon' I could select the specific app I want to launch. I am not interested in desktop docks, or launchers requiring keyboard entries.

Thanks in advance.

Cruise

 

I love Free Launch Bar.

 

Can you elaborate as to why you love it? Also, which Windows version are you using?

Cruise

 

I'm using Win 7 x64.

It's nice because you can set up your own menu system, including subfolders if desired. I use two Free Launch Bar folder icons just to the right of the Start menu button. The first icon, when clicked, opens a list of programs that I use frequently. The second icon, when clicked, opens a list of documents that I use frequently. It's all mouse-based, so there are no key combinations to remember. It might work with the keyboard also, but I don't use it that way. I reviewed the program briefly at https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=308728.

 

MrBrian,

After a quick look at FLB I find it's not quite my 'cup of tea', but thanks for your replies!

Cruise

 

You're welcome .

In case you missed it, there's a link in the link in my last post that should be of great help to you (including comments section).

 

I didn't miss it - I clicked on it before installing FLB - then I tried it out.

Cruise

 

In case you are interested...

Guided Help: Enable the Quick Launch bar in Windows 7
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/975784

 

I don't see any advantage (over Win7's taskbar) that a QL-bar would bring!

Cruise

 

Personally I just use windows' built-in facility to add stuff to the taskbar. Probably not an ideal solution but works okay for me.

 

Hi Cruise,

I kind of went through the same process with my W7 laptop. My desktop was cluttered with icons and the icons in my taskbar almost reached the system tray!

After trying various app launchers, docks, and taskbar-enhancers (over several days), I came across Stardock's Fences. Fences is totally cool in that it provides a means of organizing the icon mess on one's desktop. Once I did that I've never had any problem in quickly locating the program I want to launch.

Each created fence (group of similar apps) can be as large or small as desired and is assigned a title of your choice. You can have as many fences as necessary ...and when you just want to look at your desktop's wallpaper you need only to double-click on any empty space on your desktop and the fences will disappear (double-clicking on the desktop brings them back).

I've been using Fences for about a year now and it's definitely my 'cup of tea'.

Regards,
Wendi

Ps. Fences will cost you all of $10 (there is a 30-day free trial).

 

taotoo,

I believe there's something wrong with your attached image and I really don't know what it is that you're referencing.

Cruise

 

Wendi,

Thanks so much for your suggestion that I checkout Fences. I really appreciated reading your explanation as to what Fences does and why you chose to use it. It sounds very interesting - I'll definitely try it out!

Cruise

 

Hey Cruise,

I second Wendi's recommendation. I'm a very satisfied Fences user. Totally utilitarian, it organizes your shortcuts so you can quickly find and run them, and has minimal impact on system resources. The smartest $10 I ever spent.

TS

 

Not sure if the image is displaying correctly or not, but I was referencing:

"I want to unclutter my desktop by placing icons of similar apps into a taskbar icon for each grouping. Then by clicking on (or hovering over) a 'group icon' I could select the specific app I want to launch."

It's simply individual taskbar shortcuts to folders that contain groups of apps/files/folders (or indeed shortcuts to apps/files/folders).

 

I agree with taotoo.You can create a toolbar called menu or whatever you wish,place folders in there under various headings such as office,network,security etc and just put shortcuts to those program's in there.

 

I really like Fences too. I've been using it since the 1.0 version which was freeware (don't know if a free version is still available). It's a good solution for organizing desktop icons and reducing their visual impact so you can see you're wallpaper but I don't really think of it as a "launcher". I use the Nexus dock for quick access to the programs I use most often.

 

Sometimes i use this one :

http://www.microsystools.com/products/launcher/

Rules.

 

I've got 3 folders of them in my taskbar with their shortcuts to programs I use on a regular basis. These folders are residing in My Documents.

Photobucket doesn't seem to work this time around since I tried to put up a pic with this reply.

 

OK. Attachment then.

 

Thanks for 'Free Launch Bar' suggestion!

I replaced my Quick Launch for this enhanced Quick Launch.

Thanks again.

 

You're welcome . It's the editor's pick for best free menu-based program launcher at http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-program-launcher.htm.

 

@ MrBrian, BTW do you know how to bold titles like it is in this picture?

 

In "FLB Settings", there is a "Colors" section. That might work.

 

It seems not...



Edited:
Humm... Maybe in 'True Launch Bar'.