IDEA: Desktop Bring to front

[ogecrom]

The problem: I like to leave a lot of files on windows desktop. Sometimes I have a lot of applications running, and then I need to open one of those files. But I don't want to minimize everything (I know about windows+d and windows+m). I just want a fast desktop view and double click.

The idea: To use a custom key or key combination that while pressed, it shows the desktop over the applications without minimizing everything. But not only show, let me double click on the file.
I would use for example the scroll lock, while pressed, desktop shows.

You could hide all windows and then get it back in the correct z order, without minimizing. Or you could create a new windows which represents the actual desktop, and allow the double click.

[VideoInPicture]

Someone already created it: http://www.shuric.co...ewpage.php?page_id=2

[ogecrom]

Oh, thank you. I will try it.

[wetsmellydog]

If you are just trying to access the files/shortcuts on your desktop, you can right click on on the task bar, choose toolbars and then check desktop. You will have desktop files/shortcuts access on the right of the task bar with one click while your active window(s) are still in place.

[Paul Keith]

Also you could also use a special folder if you're more into launchers like Launchy. It can also be extra convenient due to the fact that not only do you have a cleaner desktop but when you can remember the specific file you want to open, as long as it's indexed, it's going to be instantly opened without the need for a mouse click.

On a side note, is there an application like this for Linux.

[skrommel]

  Try DeskTop!

Press F1 to show the desktop ontop of the other windows.

To change the hotkey, just edit the *F1:: line below.

Skrommel

[Select]

;DeskTop.ahk
; Press F1 to show the desktop ontop of the other windows
;Skrommel @ 2008

#SingleInstance,Force
#NoEnv
SetWinDelay,0
SendMode,Input
SetWorkingDir,%A_ScriptDir%
DetectHiddenWindows,On

WinGet,desktop,Id,ahk_class Progman
Gui,-Caption +LastFound -Resize +AlwaysOnTop
Gui,Show,X0 Y0 W0 H0
gui:=WinActive("A")
OnExit,EXIT
Return

*F1::
TOGGLE:
If detached<>1
{
  SysGet,work,MonitorWorkArea
  parent:=DllCall("SetParent",UInt,desktop,UInt,gui)
  WinMove,ahk_id %gui%,,0,0,%workRight%,%workBottom%
  detached=1
}
Else
{
  DllCall("SetParent",UInt,desktop,UInt,parent)
  WinMove,ahk_id %gui%,,0,0,0,0
  detached=0
}
Return


GuiSize:
If ErrorLevel=1 ;Minimize
If detached=1
  Gosub,TOGGLE
Return

GuiClose:
If detached=1
  Gosub,TOGGLE
Return

EXIT:
If detached=1
  Gosub,TOGGLE
ExitApp

[techidave]

it seems to work only with windows and internet explorer open on top.  FF3 or anything els...no.

But I really like the idea!

thanks skrommel

[skrommel]

  Really? There's no code in there to access anything other that Program Manager. Do you have another shell?

Skrommel

[skrommel]

  Or is FF3 fighting for the F1 key? Try changing the code.

Skrommel

[techidave]

i changed it to the F9 key and its sporadic.  usually is just a blank white screen.  but i am getting it with IE 6 also, not just FF.

[techidave]

i have had some other shells installed, but I don't think it was on this laptop.  I don't see any in add remove, start menu or by looking at the folders.

[VideoInPicture]

I can confirm that DeskTop works! I have the hotkey set to F9, and I'm on Vista 32-bit running IE/Chrome/Firefox.

Very cool! I couldn't get the program at shuric.com to work properly on Vista so DeskTop is a keeper. I'm going to play around with the AHK code. I think one thing that could be added is to close the AHK window when the user opens up another program or tries to bring another window to the top of the z-order.

[lanux128]

Desktop.ahk works for me too! i like the way it preserves the z-order but F8 is the only key available among the Fn keys so i changed to it. so how to get remove Desktop.ahk item on the taskbar?

[skrommel]

  I'll make a proper tool out of it in a couple of days, but wouldn't it be more useful to have the desktop behave like a proper window, and activate it via it's taskbar button? Is the ontop action really needed?

Skrommel

[tomos]

works here too 

it shows up in AltTab as well but when I AltTab to it nothing happens -
not sure is something meant to happen - I used have a small programme on win98 (but not that long ago) where you could alttab to it - was possibly ahk too - it was especially helpful with win98 cause no Win key there