Maniu’s Desktop – part 1 – Windows look and usability September 18th, 2007
So, you want to have such cool desktop like this?(it do have startmenu:D) :
Its easy, just follow my tutorial and have fun:P…
So…
1. Theme, because standard one are to standard:
i am only using standard themes created by microsoft that dont use any hacking or program(keep you PC as clean as you can). So there are 2 choices
- Royale theme(standard for Windows Xp Media Center).
- Zune Theme(created for zune player social).
Download from microsoft – direct link
After changing skin you should be able to change it easily in display properties>appearance
Or You can use StyleXP, WindowsBlender or stay with standard theme;p but i really dont recommend to. Your Desktop have to be easy and fast to use. Look is something less important!
2. Launchy – because launching program you need is easier by typing its name than searching it. So Download:
- Launchy – after installing it simply click alt+space whenever you want to lauch something(right mouse click on it for skin changing and advenced options)
- Some skins – Put Skin folder in >launchy>skins>
My recommendations:
-Royale
-Zune (if you use WMP it fits better with taskbar tool)
-Luna(standard blue)
3. Getting rid of Start menu and tweaking taskbar
- Download Start Killer so it removes your start.
- Click right button on taskbar> unlock taskbar(might be called different, I am working at Polish system).
- You can make 2 row task bar by dragging it up. Drag (
)QuickStar menu at top and running tasks at bottom.
- If you want big quickstart icons, just click at with right mouse button>view>bigger icons.
- Start(not full, recommended). You can use New tool creator if you want drop down menu with files from some folder. Most usefull thing to do is add start’s program folder.
1.copy C:Documents and SettingsYour user nameMenu Start to C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersMenu Start
2. Lead new tool creator to > C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersMenu Start, thats it
>>>>
- Do you want Shutdown/Restart/Log Just download this pack and drag and drop to quickstartbar:)Oh and when you want spaces between icons, just drag included empty trash icon(hold ctrl to duplicate). Start(full, not recommended).Want to have start menu launched by icon? download microrunner install it, put Start.mir from my pack in some save place, make shortcut to it, add it to your task bar, change icon, rightclick>proporties>change icon>select this startmenu icon. You can change options in macro runner>organize>options>unselect disable systray so u dont see any icon. There is nothing running in background so its save to use:D
Thats it for taskbar! Dont forget to lock it as it add even more space.
Oh and it is good to log in and out to save changes because you can lose set up after pc crash
4. File explorer
- QTTabBar - Tabs on EXPLORER – download it here, after installing your selecting it in View
tip: use QT Tab standard menu if you want go back to work, middle click open new tab, dubble click at empty space moves you up
- Vista addressbar clone for XP – Its good addon but not as important as tabs – download it here, enabling same way as with tabs
- IE Favorites as you native Windows OSX finder just add icon By right click>customize and drag your favorites
Hope it wasnt so hard and it boosts you productivity and please dont install to many shit on your pc that are running in background.
Next I am planning to cover Music Players, Web browsers and maybe other stuff:)
Oh, and if you can, leave screenshot of your “work” in comments
Update: This tutorial inspired me to create something much much bigger. Find more, better solutions at site created by me specialy for this! DIGISOLUTIONS.INFO
In Tutorials | tagged with: desktop, windows | Comments: 4
I think this tutorial is great maniu we want more ! stuff looks great
cheers!
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5271/sccren2zw0.jpg
thank you man this is looking very good i was searching for something like that for a long time !
regards from Australia
tests time mashine
Chcemy wiecej :D