Print Page - [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar

DonationCoder.com Software => Coding Snacks => Post New Requests Here => Topic started by: NaaN on August 19, 2009, 03:02 PM

Title: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: NaaN on August 19, 2009, 03:02 PM

Hi all,

Probably a strange idea but I'll try to explain what it is I'm looking for and why.

What am I looking for:
I'm looking for a little program that will automatically replace the icon on left side of every open window/application and taskbar for a transparent icon.
I used to do this with resource hacker (reshacker) hacking into the applications .exe or even the explorer shell itself. This is very time consuming job which usually can be redone after windows decides to update.

Why ?
In the desktop customizing community we try skin/theme windows to our liking. As I like my desktop as minimal as I can get it, I want to get rid of those icons, but there really isn't an easy way to do it, besides using alternative shells (which are not what I'm looking for).

I've found an application that basically does what I'm looking for but it comes packed with a lot of features that are useless and taking up memory. It's made with auto hotkey and comes with a source included. I tried editing the source, removing features I don't need, but I'm afraid my "coding" skills are just n00b level.

If anyone has suggestions for alternative programs I'd like hear it ! Furthermore, if someone is inspired to help me out, I can attach the program and code I found.

Thanks for reading !

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on August 23, 2009, 03:30 AM

Sure, post it.

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: NaaN on August 23, 2009, 04:19 AM

Thanks, I included the whole package, the program itself, and the source.

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on August 23, 2009, 04:52 AM

Is this the only thing you want the script to do? As in, you want everything else stripped out, right?

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: NaaN on August 23, 2009, 05:15 AM

Yup, just the icon replacing function, the rest is not needed. (keeping the "auto startup function would be nice)

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on August 23, 2009, 05:17 AM

Edit: Completely rewrote the code using a shell hook. See below.

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: NaaN on August 23, 2009, 05:24 AM

A compiled version would be great ! I just remember there was also a "start with windows" function in it. Would it be hard to keep that in there ?

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on August 23, 2009, 05:29 AM

Actually, one more thing, did you want it blanking out all icons when the script starts?

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on August 23, 2009, 05:35 AM

A compiled version would be great ! I just remember there was also a "start with windows" function in it. Would it be hard to keep that in there ?
-NaaN (August 23, 2009, 05:24 AM)

Sure, it's possible. However, there would be a need for a tray menu (or some other way to toggle it). Also, his code writes a registry entry for the startup function. I figured you wanted this as minimal and as discreet as possible i.e. no tray icon, stealth, etc. As an alternative, you can easily just make a shortcut in your startup folder to the script instead. Would that be sufficient?

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: NaaN on August 23, 2009, 05:38 AM

The idea is that it should blank out every icon in the taskbar and left connor of the title bar for both active and inactive windows. The icons in the picture should be blanked out.

(http://www.powerkiters.nl/gallery/3_18_08_09_10_53_33.png)

Top part is the window, bottom part is the taskbar

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: NaaN on August 23, 2009, 05:40 AM

A compiled version would be great ! I just remember there was also a "start with windows" function in it. Would it be hard to keep that in there ?
-NaaN (August 23, 2009, 05:24 AM)

Sure, it's possible. However, there would be a need for a tray menu (or some other way to toggle it). Also, his code writes a registry entry for the startup function. I figured you wanted this as minimal and as discreet as possible i.e. no tray icon, stealth, etc. As an alternative, you can easily just make a shortcut in your startup folder to the script instead. Would that be sufficient?
-skwire (August 23, 2009, 05:35 AM)

Yeah that would be perfect too, thanks for pointing that out (slipped my mind ;D)

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on August 23, 2009, 05:53 AM

I've rewritten it using a shell hook so, hopefully, it's less CPU/resource intrusive than the original code's loop that ran every 100 milliseconds. The source and executable are provided in the attached zip file. If you want it to start with your Windows, just make a shortcut in your startup folder to TBarIconBlanker.exe. It has no menu or tray icon so the only way to stop it is to kill it via the Task Manager (or similar method).

Download (http://skwire.dcmembers.com/apps/tbariconblanker/TBarIconBlanker.zip)

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: NaaN on August 23, 2009, 05:56 AM

Testing it right now, i'll report back a.s.a.p.

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: NaaN on August 23, 2009, 06:10 AM

It does seem to respond a lot quicker then the original script and works like a charm ! :-* If I find any errors or bugs, I'll report back.

Thank you very very much, you've ended my long search for a program like this ! Do you mind if I share it on some customizing sites ? I'm sure there are quite a few people that would love it.

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on August 23, 2009, 06:35 AM

Sure. However, if you don't mind, please link it from here to get DC exposure:

Download (http://skwire.dcmembers.com/apps/tbariconblanker/TBarIconBlanker.zip)

The text link is:

[Select]

http://skwire.dcmembers.com/apps/tbariconblanker/TBarIconBlanker.zip

I cleaned up the code a bit and repackaged it.

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: NaaN on August 23, 2009, 09:33 AM

Sorry for the late reply, had some other things todo. Linking back here is no problem, you made it, so you deserve the credits. I'll link it later tonight to some customizing sites with the link you provided.

Again, thank you very much !

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on August 23, 2009, 10:15 AM

You're welcome. I have a soft spot for desktop customisation; I've run alternative shells for well over a decade. Here's what one-half of my desktop looks like:

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Title: Re: Idea: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: NaaN on August 23, 2009, 10:48 AM

Nice screenshot :Thmbsup: BBlean is a nice shell alternative, but not quit my cup of thee. I like how explorer handles and navigates but it just looks awful :mad:

Here is one of my older desktops:

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: tmpusr on September 28, 2009, 03:52 PM

Is it possible to make a version that blanks only the window icons but leaves the taskbar icons? I'd like to see the icons in the taskbar but not in the corner of the window.

Is it possible to blank out (or replace) the minimize, maximize, close buttons?

Is it possible to blank out (or replace) the icons in the Explorer toolbar, especially the Windows logo on a white background? Or does it require hacking shell?

Is it possible to blank out (or replace) the start button and the << button that displays hidden tray icons?

If yes, please implement, if it's not too much trouble.

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: NaaN on September 28, 2009, 03:59 PM

1. Don't know, I'll leave that one for skwire
2. Can be done by editing the visual style (asuming you use winXP)
3. Can be done with a simple registry change: google for remove throbber explorer
4. Can be done by editing the visual style (asuming you use winXP)

Goodluck !

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: tmpusr on September 28, 2009, 05:48 PM

Thanks for the answers. A few more:

Is it possible to dim all icons and buttons (by overlaying them with a dark transparent bitmap instead of opaque) - and perhaps unblank (if possible, with fade in) when hovering?

Is it possible to blank out/dim the tray icons?

I use the classic style which isn't actually a visual style. I would need a visual style that looks like classic, one without any bitmaps, because I want one that uses system colors and doesn't impose its own.

Unless I use a visual style, to blank out the min, max, close buttons it would seem I need to hack the font.

Is it possible to remove the lines and + from Explorer's folder tree?

I'd like to be able to remove all icons and bitmaps from the UI, leaving just the button rectangles and text (if there originally was) for a command line-like visual experience, no bright spots or colors anywhere, just black and dark gray text and rectangles.

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on September 28, 2009, 07:57 PM

Is it possible to make a version that blanks only the window icons but leaves the taskbar icons? I'd like to see the icons in the taskbar but not in the corner of the window.
Is it possible to blank out (or replace) the minimize, maximize, close buttons?
Is it possible to blank out (or replace) the icons in the Explorer toolbar, especially the Windows logo on a white background? Or does it require hacking shell?
Is it possible to blank out (or replace) the start button and the << button that displays hidden tray icons?
-tmpusr (September 28, 2009, 03:52 PM)

1) Not that I'm aware of.
2) Yes, I can get rid of them. (It would be just one more line of code in TBarIconBlanker)
3) Res-hacking would be required for this, I believe.
4) Start button, yes. The << button, you can get rid of yourself by disabling the "Hide inactive tray icons" option under Taskbar properties.

Is it possible to dim all icons and buttons (by overlaying them with a dark transparent bitmap instead of opaque) - and perhaps unblank (if possible, with fade in) when hovering?
Is it possible to blank out/dim the tray icons?
I use the classic style which isn't actually a visual style. I would need a visual style that looks like classic, one without any bitmaps, because I want one that uses system colors and doesn't impose its own.
Unless I use a visual style, to blank out the min, max, close buttons it would seem I need to hack the font.
Is it possible to remove the lines and + from Explorer's folder tree?
I'd like to be able to remove all icons and bitmaps from the UI, leaving just the button rectangles and text (if there originally was) for a command line-like visual experience, no bright spots or colors anywhere, just black and dark gray text and rectangles.
-tmpusr (September 28, 2009, 05:48 PM)

If you're asking if TBarIconBlanker can do this, I think it would be WAY out of scope for this simple app. Your questions might be better suited to a dedicated windows customisation site.

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: tmpusr on September 28, 2009, 08:35 PM

I'd like to blank out the << while tray icon hiding is active.

I know there's some utility that can hide buttons and other UI elements, but I can't remember what it is. To minimize visual clutter, I'd simply like it to hide every button and only when I'm hovering would they appear.

2) Yes, I can get rid of them. (It would be just one more line of code in TBarIconBlanker)
-skwire (September 28, 2009, 07:57 PM)

I'd appreciate that line. Is it also possible to blank out the My Computer/Internet icon in Explorer's status bar?

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on September 28, 2009, 09:01 PM

I know there's some utility that can hide buttons and other UI elements, but I can't remember what it is. To minimize visual clutter, I'd simply like it to hide every button and only when I'm hovering would they appear.
2) Yes, I can get rid of them. (It would be just one more line of code in TBarIconBlanker)
I'd appreciate that line. Is it also possible to blank out the My Computer/Internet icon in Explorer's status bar?
-tmpusr (September 28, 2009, 08:35 PM)

Modify the code like this:

[Select]

; Shell hook to blank out windows that are subsequently created.
ShellMessage( wParam, lParam )
{
Global hIcon
If wParam in 1,6,32772
{
SendMessage, 0x80, 0, hIcon, , % "ahk_id " . lParam ; Blank out titlebar and taskbar icons.
WinSet, Style, -0x80000, % "ahk_id " . lParam ; Get rid of min/max/close buttons. <<<<<<<<<< Add this line.
}
}

There's no magical hover effect. You can set +0x80000 to get the buttons back.

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: tmpusr on September 28, 2009, 10:45 PM

Is it possible just to hide them, not remove them?
Is it possible to hide just some of them, e.g. leaving the close button only?

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on September 28, 2009, 10:54 PM

Is it possible just to hide them, not remove them?
-tmpusr (September 28, 2009, 10:45 PM)

I suppose one could write code to watch the mouse cursor and, if it was in the titlebar area, set the window style back to +0x80000 to show the buttons again.

Is it possible just to hide some of them, e.g. leaving the close button only?
-tmpusr (September 28, 2009, 10:45 PM)

I don't think so, but I don't know for certain.

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on September 29, 2009, 01:10 AM

Here, try this. When you start up this version, a message box will popup asking if you want to enable the min/max/close tweak. If you choose yes, they will be hidden upon each window's creation and they should appear whenever your mouse is in the titlebar area. It's not perfect but it seems to work fairly well. Also, this version leaves the tray icon in place so you can exit it. All min/max/close buttons should be restored on exit.

Code: AutoIt [Select]

/*
Author:  Jody Holmes (Skwire)
Date:    2009-08-23
Contact: skwire@skwire.net
 
 
v0.0.0.3 - 2009-09-29
    + Added optional showing/hiding of titlebar min/max/close buttons.
 
v0.0.0.2 - 2009-08-28
    * Hook now fires on two additional messages.
        HSHELL_REDRAW
        HSHELL_RUDEAPPACTIVATED
 
v0.0.0.1 - 2009-08-23
    + Initial build.
 
*/
 
;#NoTrayIcon
#Persistent
#NoEnv
#SingleInstance, Force
SetWorkingDir, %A_ScriptDir%
DetectHiddenWindows, Off
OnExit, Cleanup
 
Menu, Tray, NoStandard
Menu, Tray, Add, Exit, Cleanup
 
Gui +LastFound
hWnd := WinExist()
 
; Hook the shell.
; http://www.autohotkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=123323#123323
DllCall( "RegisterShellHookWindow", UInt, hWnd )
MsgNum := DllCall( "RegisterWindowMessage", Str, "SHELLHOOK" )
OnMessage( MsgNum, "ShellMessage" )
 
; Create a blank cursor for use instead of a blank icon file.
; http://www.autohotkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=220113#220113
VarSetCapacity( AndMask, 32*4, 0xFF ), VarSetCapacity( XorMask, 32*4, 0 )
hIcon := DllCall( "CreateCursor", Uint, 0, Int, 0, Int, 0, Int, 32, Int, 32, Uint, &AndMask, Uint, &XorMask )
 
; Initial loop to blank out existing windows.
WinGet, s, List
Loop, % s
{
    s := s%A_Index%
    ;SendMessage, 0x80, 0, hIcon, , % "ahk_id " . s
}
 
MsgBox, 36, TBarIconBlanker, Would you like to enable the min/max/close buttons tweak as well?
IfMsgBox, Yes
{
    MinMaxCloseOption := 1
    SetTimer, WatchCursor, 100
}
 
Return ; End of auto-execute section.
 
 
; ------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Subroutines ------------------------------------------------------------
; ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Cleanup:
{
    If ( MinMaxCloseOption = 1 ) ; Restore titlebar buttons on close.
    {
        WinGet, s, List
        Loop, % s
        {
            s := s%A_Index%
            WinSet, Style, +0x80000, % "ahk_id " . s ; Restore min/max/close buttons.
        }
    }
    ExitApp
}
Return
 
 
WatchCursor:
{
    MouseGetPos, , yPos, CurrID,
    If ( yPos >= 0 and yPos < 22 )
    {
        WinSet, Style, +0x80000, % "ahk_id " . CurrID ; Restore min/max/close buttons.
    }
    Else
    {
        WinSet, Style, -0x80000, % "ahk_id " . PrevID ; Get rid of min/max/close buttons.
        WinSet, Style, -0x80000, % "ahk_id " . CurrID ; Get rid of min/max/close buttons.
    }
}
Return
 
 
; ------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Functions --------------------------------------------------------------
; ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
; Shell hook to blank out windows that are subsequently created.
ShellMessage( wParam, lParam )
{
    Global hIcon, MinMaxCloseOption, PrevID
    If wParam in 1,6,32772
    {
        SendMessage, 0x80, 0, hIcon, , % "ahk_id " . lParam ; Blank out titlebar and taskbar icons.
        If ( MinMaxCloseOption = 1 )
        {
            WinSet, Style, -0x80000, % "ahk_id " . lParam ; Get rid of min/max/close buttons.
        }
    }
    PrevID := lParam
}

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: tmpusr on September 29, 2009, 04:42 AM

Thanks. This is great. :Thmbsup: I'll be running this on all my systems forever. :D

If only one could have the same for the Explorer toolbar buttons, the start button, the tray. A universal auto-hide for buttons and other UI elements - the minimalist's dream.

Can you make it not restore the window icon along with the buttons when hovering? It sometimes shows them, sometimes doesn't. I'd like to have an INI option for the behavior.

Can you restore the icon in the toolbar when hovering, either on the button or in toolbar area?

Can you make it work when hovering on background windows?

Can you blank out the window borders - make them transparent - in a similar fashion? If not blank out, then fill with some solid color. It would be neat to have borderless windows that only appear when hovering.

Can you blank out the right side of the Explorer statusbar (which, I just noticed, in Explorer menu is "Status Bar" which seems inconsistent with the way "Taskbar" is written), the part that has the unnecessary My Computer/Internet or simply fill it with a solid rectangle and remove it when hovering? The user would have to match the color and perhaps the height to the visual style - unless there are system variables for those that you can use.

Can you use a system variable to find out the actual height of the titlebar instead of the fixed value, 22? I use a larger title bar and it ony shows when I'm at the top 22.

Can you remove the empty space occupied by the invisible icon in front of the taskbar buttons?

I'd prefer it to ask nothing upon startup and default to hide buttons and have no tray icon.

Bug: Right clicking taskbar button doesn't bring up the menu (though sometimes it does).

Bug: Buttons not removed on command line window.

Bug-like behavior (due to implementation, if I'm correct): it keeps blinking with TeraCopy and 7-Zip, that update the % done in the titlebar.

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on September 29, 2009, 06:46 AM

This version checks the system for titlebar height so it should work better with your system. It also attempts to keep the titlebar icon hidden when restoring the min/max/close buttons. It also does away with the message box at the start and the tray icon.

As for your other requests, I really don't want to develop this app any further in all these other directions. There are so many variables at play here and so many different system configurations that I simply have no desire to get knee-deep in trying to troubleshoot/fix/hack/whatever. Feel free to study the code and take it further on your own. There really isn't a whole lot of complex code in this script. Here you go:

Code: AutoIt [Select]

/*
Author:  Jody Holmes (Skwire)
Date:    2009-08-23
Contact: skwire@skwire.net
 
 
v0.0.0.3 - 2009-09-29
    + Added optional showing/hiding of titlebar min/max/close buttons.
 
v0.0.0.2 - 2009-08-28
    * Hook now fires on two additional messages.
        HSHELL_REDRAW
        HSHELL_RUDEAPPACTIVATED
 
v0.0.0.1 - 2009-08-23
    + Initial build.
 
*/
 
#NoTrayIcon
#Persistent
#NoEnv
#SingleInstance, Force
SetWorkingDir, %A_ScriptDir%
DetectHiddenWindows, Off
OnExit, Cleanup
SysGet, TBarHeight, 4
 
Menu, Tray, NoStandard
Menu, Tray, Add, Exit, Cleanup
 
Gui +LastFound
hWnd := WinExist()
 
; Hook the shell.
; http://www.autohotkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=123323#123323
DllCall( "RegisterShellHookWindow", UInt, hWnd )
MsgNum := DllCall( "RegisterWindowMessage", Str, "SHELLHOOK" )
OnMessage( MsgNum, "ShellMessage" )
 
; Create a blank cursor for use instead of a blank icon file.
; http://www.autohotkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=220113#220113
VarSetCapacity( AndMask, 32*4, 0xFF ), VarSetCapacity( XorMask, 32*4, 0 )
hIcon := DllCall( "CreateCursor", Uint, 0, Int, 0, Int, 0, Int, 32, Int, 32, Uint, &AndMask, Uint, &XorMask )
 
; Initial loop to blank out existing windows.
WinGet, s, List
Loop, % s
{
    s := s%A_Index%
    ;SendMessage, 0x80, 0, hIcon, , % "ahk_id " . s
}
 
; MsgBox, 36, TBarIconBlanker, Would you like to enable the min/max/close buttons tweak as well?
; IfMsgBox, Yes
; {
;     MinMaxCloseOption := 1
;     SetTimer, WatchCursor, 100
; }
MinMaxCloseOption := 1
SetTimer, WatchCursor, 100
 
Return ; End of auto-execute section.
 
 
; ------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Subroutines ------------------------------------------------------------
; ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Cleanup:
{
    If ( MinMaxCloseOption = 1 ) ; Restore titlebar buttons on close.
    {
        WinGet, s, List
        Loop, % s
        {
            s := s%A_Index%
            WinSet, Style, +0x80000, % "ahk_id " . s ; Restore min/max/close buttons.
        }
    }
    ExitApp
}
Return
 
 
WatchCursor:
{
    MouseGetPos, , yPos, CurrID,
    If ( yPos >= 0 and yPos < ( TBarHeight + 3 ) )
    {
        WinSet, Style, +0x80000, % "ahk_id " . CurrID ; Restore min/max/close buttons.
        SendMessage, 0x80, 0, hIcon, , % "ahk_id " . CurrID ; Blank out titlebar and taskbar icons.
    }
    Else
    {
        WinSet, Style, -0x80000, % "ahk_id " . PrevID ; Get rid of min/max/close buttons.
        WinSet, Style, -0x80000, % "ahk_id " . CurrID ; Get rid of min/max/close buttons.
        SendMessage, 0x80, 0, hIcon, , % "ahk_id " . CurrID ; Blank out titlebar and taskbar icons.
    }
}
Return
 
 
; ------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Functions --------------------------------------------------------------
; ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
; Shell hook to blank out windows that are subsequently created.
ShellMessage( wParam, lParam )
{
    Global hIcon, MinMaxCloseOption, PrevID
    If wParam in 1,6,32772
    {
        SendMessage, 0x80, 0, hIcon, , % "ahk_id " . lParam ; Blank out titlebar and taskbar icons.
        If ( MinMaxCloseOption = 1 )
        {
            WinSet, Style, -0x80000, % "ahk_id " . lParam ; Get rid of min/max/close buttons.
        }
    }
    PrevID := lParam
}

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: tmpusr on September 29, 2009, 08:38 AM

Thanks again.

Could you take a look at the changed taskbar button behavior: in many cases you need to click it twice until the window minimizes. And the right click menu is missing.

If you don't want to work on them, do you whether they are possible, like the overlaying of window borders with a solid color unless hovering there?

Without the buttons and icons the system looks much cleaner. I think this should be an option in Win 8 or Win 7 SP1, it's that good.

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on September 29, 2009, 08:59 AM

Could you take a look at the changed taskbar button behavior: in many cases you need to click it twice until the window minimizes. And the right click menu is missing.
-tmpusr (September 29, 2009, 08:38 AM)

Unfortunately, that's a side-effect of getting rid of the buttons. The 0x80000 style is WM_SYSMENU. So, basically, the code removes the window's system menu (the one you normally see when right-clicking or using the alt-space hotkey).

Honestly, for the amount of customisation you want to do, you may want to look into alternate Windows shell. I, for instance, run a branch of the bb4Win shell called bbClean. Using the bbLeanSkin plugin, you can specify which titlebar buttons to show (or none), whether or not icons show in the titlebar, etc. Also, you can make the taskbar and tray icons greyscale, colour-muted, and on and on. Take a look at the screenshots at http://www.boxshots.org for ideas. You can see a screenshot of what my desktop typically looks like in an earlier post in this thread: https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=19584.msg175110#msg175110

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: tmpusr on September 29, 2009, 09:21 AM

Wouldn't it be fixed simply by detecting that you're hovering over the taskbar and restoring the buttons - and thereby normal functionality - while you're there?

I'm pretty happy with the Explorer shell, but I'll take a look at BB.

I'm interested in the concept of stuff appearing only when you're near it. See nothing unless you're going to use it momentarily. Keep visual clutter to a minimum.

If you or someone could make the "hide window borders or overlay them with color while not near them", there's not much more I could think of improving - except for showing the icons in the taskbar at the same time as you're hovering over them. Which made me wonder, could you show the taskbar icons, but only while hovering over a window title?

Is it possible to show the window icon, too, when the buttons appear?

Is it possible to change the title bar font color and/or background color while you're hovering on it? I'd like to see it dim when I'm not near it, and get bright when hovering. The same goes for the taskbar text.

Is it possible to completely hide the titlebar until you move near it? So that the window actually is smaller and tiles as if it doesn't have the titlebar, but then the titlebar pops up when you're near it. The same for the statusbar too - auto-hide window titlebar and statusbar.

And heaps of thanks for your efforts. This has significantly changed the aesthetics of the OS for the better.

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: tmpusr on September 29, 2009, 09:37 AM

Found a great free app to remove all lines and rectangles from the taskbar, and to blank out the start button, leaving just an empty area of the size you can control, and to hide or replace the clock.
You can make the taskbar completely flat.
http://homepage1.nifty.com/kazubon/tclocklight/

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: lanux128 on April 10, 2010, 01:35 PM

this nifty tool was featured here.. :up:

• http://www.askvg.com/how-to-remove-program-icons-from-windows-titlebar-and-taskbar-buttons/

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: thwack on February 27, 2014, 01:09 PM

sorry to bring an old topic but it's not working anymore, someone could fix it? there s still icons on certain apps, like firefox etc...

Title: Re: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar
Post by: skwire on February 27, 2014, 01:54 PM

Hi, thwack, and welcome to the DonationCoder site.

sorry to bring an old topic but it's not working anymore, someone could fix it? there s still icons on certain apps, like firefox etc...
-thwack (February 27, 2014, 01:09 PM)

Unfortunately, this code was written four years ago for Windows XP and I'm not certain I'm too interested in updating it for Windows 7. The code should be in the archive so you're welcome to do whatever you want with it.

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DonationCoder.com Software => Coding Snacks => Post New Requests Here => Topic started by: NaaN on August 19, 2009, 03:02 PM