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Author Topic: New Year, New Question!  (Read 6603 times)

dglp

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New Year, New Question!
« on: January 04, 2017, 03:30 AM »
Happy new year everyone - there'll be interesting challenges aplenty.

A small but persistent challenge for me is to change the way folders are displayed in my Windows7 taskbar.
If I've got 6 folders open I'd like to color-code, number, or iconify each one for easy recognition.

I've gone through various of the Windows display settings without finding a solution.
For example, I can set up a toolbar organizer that allows me to iconify the links within a given toolbar - but that doesn't do anything with taskbar folder links.

So maybe it's time to dig a bit deeper.
First point of enquiry.... here!

Does anyone know of a tweak or tool that changes the way folder icons are displayed in the taskbar?

 :)

Ath

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Re: New Year, New Question!
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2017, 05:56 AM »
Would this How-To Geek link (Windows 7 oriented) be helpful?
Or a TenForums thread with a similar gist for Windows 10.

skwire

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Re: New Year, New Question!
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2017, 08:07 AM »
If I've got 6 folders open I'd like to color-code, number, or iconify each one for easy recognition.

Unless I'm misunderstanding you, right-click the folder, choose the "Customize" tab, and click the "Change Icon..." button. 

2017-01-04_080835.pngNew Year, New Question!

tomos

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Re: New Year, New Question!
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2017, 08:19 AM »
to clarify:

A small but persistent challenge for me is to change the way folders are displayed in my Windows7 taskbar.
If I've got 6 folders open I'd like to color-code, number, or iconify each one for easy recognition.

do you mean: the folders you happen to have open at the moment, in different Explorer windows?
Tom

Curt

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Re: New Year, New Question!
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2017, 05:50 PM »
hello dglp,
wouldn't it be a lot easier to use Taskbar thumbnail previews? I think it will, because I don't think what you are asking for, is possible!

enable / disable thumbnail previews:

https://superuser.com/questions/202843/how-to-disable-windows-7-taskbar-thumbnails-preview
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52265-taskbar-thumbnail-previews-enable-disable.html

dglp

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Re: New Year, New Question!
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2017, 04:06 AM »
Hi all,
sorry for the delay in replying - I hadn't set up the reply notificaiton option.
Will look at links now and report back.

For clarification, the Windows Explorer tabs are open on my taskbar, and are all the same pale yellow icon. That icon doesn't change even if I use the above-mentioned option.

dglp

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Re: New Year, New Question!
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2017, 04:15 AM »
Would this How-To Geek link (Windows 7 oriented) be helpful?
Or a TenForums thread with a similar gist for Windows 10.
Thanks. It looks like it might do the job - though it seems to involve some fairly fiddly setup; perhaps changing themes, and so on.

dglp

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Re: New Year, New Question!
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2017, 04:17 AM »
If I've got 6 folders open I'd like to color-code, number, or iconify each one for easy recognition.

Unless I'm misunderstanding you, right-click the folder, choose the "Customize" tab, and click the "Change Icon..." button.
I did do that originally, and it works for some displays, not not on the taskbar.
I also tried the shortcut method, where I send a shortcut to the taskbar, and change the shortcut properties.
The display within Explorer accepts the change, but the taskbar stubbornly remains with the original icon.

dglp

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Re: New Year, New Question!
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2017, 04:18 AM »
do you mean: the folders you happen to have open at the moment, in different Explorer windows?
Yes. I have pinned several folders to the taskbar, and keep them open permanently.

dglp

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Re: New Year, New Question!
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2017, 04:23 AM »
hello dglp,
wouldn't it be a lot easier to use Taskbar thumbnail previews? I think it will, because I don't think what you are asking for, is possible!

enable / disable thumbnail previews:

https://superuser.com/questions/202843/how-to-disable-windows-7-taskbar-thumbnails-preview
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52265-taskbar-thumbnail-previews-enable-disable.html

Thanks for this.
These methods may work - though as noted above, they look pretty long-winded.
One thing that is an improvement though is the 7TT app mentioned in superuser.com. Choosing the 'text only' display is an improvement over showing the thumbnail display. While it doesn't identify each folder at a glance, it is much easier than clicking on each tab to see the contents.