J. P. Gilliver (John) said:
Yep, I gave what Windows XP provides for user-configurable options, not
substitute 3rd party software.
KenK's original question asked if there was a way to include the date.
Various people answered that raising the height of the taskbar included
it. Ken subsequently said he'd had to go to three rows. You said that
changing DPI etc. might get it in two (which indeed it might). Ken then
asked "I don't see those options in the taskbar properties. Where can I
find it? Or will I need to do this for the entire display? If so, I'll
stay with three lines." You then answered with instructions (in your
usual exhaustive detail!) on how to get at the settings - which would
indeed affect such settings for the entire display: not what Ken had
asked.
KenK was
asking if there's a way of changing them just for the clock. AFAIK there
isn't in generic XP - you need a third-party tool (TClockEx will do it,
probably TClock as well) to _just_ change the settings for the clock.
I thought Tclock[ex] *replaced* the Windows-provided clock object in the
system notification area (aka system tray). You load Tclock. It stays
loaded in memory. It is a separate process.
It probably does. Although preferable to do everything with the built-in
facilities, nothing in any of KenK's questions excluded the use of
third-party software. However, if you have a way of changing the DPI
and/or font _just for the built-in clock_, and not other parts of
Windows, I'm sure we'd like to hear them.
[][/QUOTE]
I responded because you made it sound like Tclock changed the font size
in the systray for the Windows clock. Maybe I misunderstood the intent
of your response.
"KenK was asking if there's a way of changing them just for the clock.
AFAIK there isn't in generic XP - you need a third-party tool (TClockEx
will do it, probably TClock as well) to _just_ change the settings for
the clock."
Tclock isn't changing the settings for the Windows clock. It isn't
doing anything about fonts elsewhere, including in the systray. The
program is merely changing the settings for its *own* window. Any app
can specify whatever fonts for use within its own window(s).
So, with not using 3rd party software, you're stuck using what Windows
provides to change fonts (family, style, size). I don't know if font
size within the systray is part of the theming API; if so, a 3rd party
theming modify tool might accomplish changing just the systray fonts.
Alternatively use an app that paints its *own* window in the systray or
elsewhere where you can configure that program to specify what fonts it
uses in its own window(s). I didn't repeat the latter solution
suggested by others but instead referenced what Windows provides. As
you have repeatedly noted, using Windows-only methods results in
changing attributes for fonts in more than just the systray.
Also, there is no evidence yay or nay that the OP did not previously
modify his Windows theme (himself manually or using tweakers or other
software). That's why I mentioned he should reselect the Windows theme
to reset to its defaults. I remember doing that to get the 3-line
display for the Windows clock; however, it's been so long since then
that I don't remember if that was to reset to a known theme config and
then I reduced an object's font size. As I recall, I had to change an
objects font size by just 1 point; i.e., change it from 10 to 9. The
difference in font size was tiny but enough get 3 lines for the Windows
clock in the systray, and the change was so tiny that it made little
difference elsewhere.
Sorry, but it has been way too long since I customized Windows XP
(which, for this type of stuff, is done within the first week after
installation) to remember which item in the drop-down listbox under
Advanced -> Appearance tab affected the font size for the Windows clock
shown in the systray.