png icons, sidebars and skinning the classic style start menu...are they possible?

  • Thread starter Thread starter delfick755
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delfick755

Hi all, three questions for u all today...

1) Is it possible to use 256x256 png icons on the windows desktop?

2) Is there are program out there that will allow me to have a sidebar
(on the left and right of my screen that can autohide) that will allow
me to put shortcuts to programs and games, a bit like those in the
aston shell replacement?

3) Is it possible to change the look of the classic start menu? like
apply a bmp to it or something?


Thnx for any suggestions, much appreciated...
 
I have the answer of your second question. You don't need a third-party
software to have a side-bar on left or right side of screen. You can use
Windows function to do this. What you have to do is using some tricks.

To do this:

1. Create a folder on your desktop.
2. Put a copy of all your favorite progam's shortcut inside
3. Close the folder if it is open.
4. Click on the folder icon, hold down the left mouse button and place it
very inside the left or right side of your screen.
5. Release the mouse button.
6. You will see a toolbar will appear on your screen with all icons on it.
Right-click on this toolbar and choose Auto-Hide

That's all. Will save your time and money searching for third party utilties.

Let us know, if this information is useful to you.
 
I aready knew about that, but unfortunately isn't very suitable to my
(very picky) wants.

I want something that will allow me to sort my icons into folders in
the sidebar. With the method you said it will display the folders but
when u click them they open the folders.
(if that make any sense)

Also that the fact that it can't be vertically resised annoys me.

thnx for the help anyway :D

(if anyone has a way of enabling the 256x256 png icons atleast, would
be very very very helpful)...
 
Not at all. It is very much depends on your folder's contents. If your folder
contain sub-folders then clicking on them will open the folder. If your
folder contain shortcuts (with an arrow) then clicking on them will execute
the program itself.

For instance, I can access any of Drive with only a single click as I have a
side bar of My Computer. Furthermore, you can also place these side bar on
the top (horizontally). Even you can place more and more side bar into one.

Can explain you how to create a window side bar in more details, if you want.

Let us know!
 
ok then, to explain what i mean, i have a screenshot....

http://delfick755.googlepages.com/sidebar.jpg

(to explain, i'm am using aston shell at the moment, the trial version.
I can't be bothered buying it (not that i am saying it is a bad shell,
it is a truly brilliant piece of software) but as i get closer to the
end of it, i want to see if i can make the explorer shell as close to
what i have with aston as possible).....
 
Ok! Ok! So it is not possible in current version of Windows. But you can go
closer to it using only the Window's command. How?

As I was telling you about creating a side bar of folder which contain all
your favorite shortcuts, instead use Window Toolbar.

Right Click on your Taskbar - point to Toolbar - choose New Toolbar - here
give the path of your favorite folder.

It will look like something the same but not 3D style. But easy to use.
 
Ok! You Win! It can't be done without using third party softwares. I was just
telling you not to use these programs as they consume a lot of system
resources and day by day your system will go slower.
 
hmmm, u sound annoyed....

I'm sry for annnoying you

That that u hopefully calm down, what u mean "you win!", i haven't won
untill i get 256x256 icons on my desktop!

I already sort of knew it can't be done without third party
software.....i was just calling out for suggestions of free, reliable,
small programs that makes my desktop just thatt little bit better.....

o well....
 
hmmm, u sound annoyed....

I'm sry for annnoying you

Now that u hopefully calm down, what u mean "you win!", i haven't won
untill i get 256x256 png icons on my desktop!

I already sort of knew it can't be done without third party
software.....i was just calling out for suggestions of free, reliable,
small programs that makes my desktop just thatt little bit better.....

o well....
 
well, the first couple of links tell me i can use my 256x256 icons but
only at a smaller size :'(, i want them to be 256x256 on my desktop, so
o well....i'll live

The second two tell me how to change the start menu button, instead of
the menu itself....

thnx for the help though, it is appreciated....
 
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