Customize the Pin Area (XP Pro SP1)

[bigaldoc]

I have two shots to show you, so I think I'll have to make two posts. You can get to this screen either directly in Windows Explorer or you can right-click the Taskbar, Properties, Start Menu, Advanced. As you can see, I've highlighted the ALL USERS entry, but you could do this for an individual user as well. I usually create the shortcut(s) on the desktop first and then drag them into the marked area, but I guess you could create them there directly. I didn't know there was a limit, since I really don't use this method. As you can see, the only two on mine are the ones MS put there. I much prefer the QuickLaunch bar (see next post).

[bigaldoc]

Sorry if you already got an email on this! I had to delete and start over, 'cause my graphic had some garbage in it. As you can see I have 15 elements on my QuickLaunch bar and I usually arrange them left-to-right in order of most use. Then I "push" the bar to the right so that only 4 or 5 are showing. I can get to the rest by clicking the little symbol. Two clicks, max!

[defrag]

I tried to get the extraneous desktop out by editing and re-editing with MS Paint (I haven't figured out a way to hook up and use two mice pointers with both hands--I go on clicking riffs too much as it is--I'm sure there is a way) and Hard Copy--it didn't show up in Paint when I saved, and then when I found the saved image to upload there it was--Hard Copy is obviously, even the free trialware Lite--more versatile than MS Paint--I can't get a GIF that would be smaller up for the life of me. Any suggestions I can follow will be greatly appreciated and executed.

Thanks,

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[jayseae]

The key to that earlier comment was that he's using the classic start menu. They'll show up at the top of the top of the start menu when you put shortcuts there. Won't help if you use XP-style start menu.

I happen to like the new menu better. I don't even have quick launch anymore. Most of what I can access I can do in two clicks as well - one on start, another on item I need. Plus I can get elsewhere if I need something else. One-stop shopping. [img]/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[bigaldoc]

Yeah, you're right, it's the Classic view alright! And you're also correct about the new XP view being "faster" when you need other elements from your Start Menu. I guess that's what's meant by the ol' adage "different strokes...." I've gotten so used to the QL bar that I just can't stand the withdrawal symptoms! I guess I should give the new XP look a fair shot and give it a try. At the beginning of the year when I installed XP, I immediately selected everything Classic and never looked back.....

[jayseae]

Yep - different strokes is definitely the story. [img]/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]

I should clarify the earlier comment. If the shortcuts are placed where you mentioned earlier, they will be available in XP - just not on the primary start menu. You'll have to go to "all programs" first, at which point you'll see what is essentially the classic start menu.

I had the same problem with the new menu at first, but after using it for a while, I doubt that I'll go back. It's even tough to do Windows 2000 on my servers sometimes - I'm so used to having everything right there. MRU list is very nice. I don't like the pin area as much as I could, if it were more customizable for my needs (what started this whole thread).

Now, I would like to know how to get the personazlied menus back in the "all programs" list when using the XP start menu. Not sure if classic mode provides it or not, but I'd like to use it - my "all programs" list is huge...

[jayseae]

Incidentally, I have checked the setting in the access wizard - it's not set to disable personalized menus. But the "all programs" list is still the whole shebang...

[defrag]

Thanks Al--

I'm not sure when you drag them to that "red zone," where they end up. Do they end up on the "recently used programs list" (which I don't have because my Pinned area has taken up its real estate under the "Pinned programs" area. I have eleven programs pinned. If I want to ad any more, I have had to kick one off. I have been able to drag them to the "pin area"or right click and get "Pin to the Start menu" on the Rt. Click context menu. Possibly I would have more room if I kicked some programs off of the "Windows Explorer destinations" in the upper right, the System Care (middle right) or you can see that there is only one showing in the lower right "Tools" area Help and Support and I had to drag that there. Some of the usual don't show because my retractable tool bar comes up when I bring up the start menu.

I cropped it (Using MS Paint) to grab the screen shot perfectly or so I thought, yet it showed some desktop. Not sure why. Not even sure why I was able to post it--has been my mini obsession today because to do it I had to use JPEG on the top selection of the dialogue box, picture/jpeg on the bottom, and then go find it and click it from My Recent Documents--it wasn't on My Documents.

My short question Al is where do those things end up that you put in that box, and what do you use to grab and post screen shots?

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[defrag]

Jayseae--

I would think this tip from Smart Computing's site might be away for you to keep some programs from appearing on the list, and give yourself some room on it for you and perhaps modify them to get what you want on there. Have not heard if any of the Reg areas I pointed to can help you: Smart Computing Tip of the Day November 14 Pin Area Reg Hack.


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