Author Topic: [Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar (Read 32785 times)

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 !

skwire · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2009, 03:30 AM »

Sure, post it.

NaaN · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2009, 04:19 AM »

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

skwire · « **Reply #3 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?

NaaN · « **Reply #4 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)

skwire · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2009, 05:17 AM »

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

NaaN · « **Reply #6 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 ?

skwire · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2009, 05:29 AM »

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

skwire · « **Reply #8 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?

NaaN · « **Reply #9 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.

Top part is the window, bottom part is the taskbar

NaaN · « **Reply #10 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

)

skwire · « **Reply #11 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

NaaN · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2009, 05:56 AM »

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

NaaN · « **Reply #13 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.

skwire · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2009, 06:35 AM »

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

Download

The text link is:

[Select]

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

I cleaned up the code a bit and repackaged it.

NaaN · « **Reply #15 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 !

skwire · « **Reply #16 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:

[Compleet]: Auto replace icon in captionbar & taskbar

NaaN · « **Reply #17 on:** August 23, 2009, 10:48 AM »

Nice screenshot

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

Here is one of my older desktops:

tmpusr · « **Reply #18 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.

NaaN · « **Reply #19 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 !

tmpusr · « **Reply #20 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.

skwire · « **Reply #21 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.

tmpusr · « **Reply #22 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?

skwire · « **Reply #23 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.

tmpusr · « **Reply #24 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?