msl said:
I'm reasonably sure that this is impossible without a program being
written, and I'm thinking it's probably unlikely even then, so I guess
this is really a request/challenge.
Can you come up with a way to make individual icons be larger/smaller
than others on the desktop? i.e. Make the programs that I use all the
time be twice the size of the other icons.
Any thoughts about whether this would ever even be possible with a
third party tool or if it would have to be integrated into the OS?
First, some info...
1. An icon can be just about any size. Common sizes are 16x16, 32x32,
48x48.
2. An icon file can contain several images, each a different size
3. If an icon file contains images of different sizes, Windows uses the
16x16 to display the icon when the icon is displayed small, a larger size
when displayed big.
4. If an icon file does NOT contain images of different sizes, Windows uses
what is there and extrapolates it for different sizes as needed; IOW, if the
icon file contains only a 16x16 image and Windows needs to display it as a
"large" icon it will do so. The resultant image is seldom as good as it
would be if the desired size were actually available.
5. In Desktop Properties, Appearance tab, Advanced one can change the size
of icons; however, it changes the display size for ALL icons when they are
displayed as "large". You cannot use it to change the size of individual
icons.
Now as to what you want to do...
1. Yes, you could do it
2. You would need any of many icon creating/editing programs
3. One of the "colors" available when making/editing icons is
"transparent". To make an icon appear to be smaller you would have to
replace one or more rows/columns of perimeter icons with "transparent".
That means you would probably lose some of the icon's image; if that doesn't
bother you, well and good; if it does bother you, you would have to redraw
the remainder of the icon. Every icon. A *huge* amount of work.
4. A better solution IMO would be to make special icons for the desktop
shortcuts of the pertinent programs...those could be distinguished in some
manner - a transparent center, perhaps - and it is easy to change the icon
for a shortcut without affecting the file type icon.
5. An even better solution - also IMO - is to forget it. Instead...
a. make a folder somewhere (not on the desktop); maybe name it "Most Used".
b. make folders within that folder and name those folders so as to
catagorize your most used apps; eg, "Music", "Utilities", "Games"...whatever
c. put shortcuts to the desired apps within the catagorized folders
d. Make your "Most Used" folder into a new toolbar on the taskbar. Drag the
sizing bars of the new toolbar so that only the title shows. Clicking on it
will then get you a pop up menu of the catagorized folders and hovering over
any will get you a list of the app shortcuts. You now have easy access to
as many apps as you wish and can delete all the clutter on your desktop.
--
dadiOH
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