Customization on Windows is good with themes and all, but I was curious to see what programs people use to add to the Windows shell, instead of replacing or theming it.


I use Smart Taskbar, Windows Caffeinated and Windows Toolkit that all add icons to the system tray, in the same style, that do the following:

Smart Taskbar: Clicking the icon will hide the taskbar automatically, and can be set to show the taskbar when an app is windowed, but hide when maximized.

Windows Caffeinated: Keeps your PC from sleeping. You can use PowerAwake with MSPowerToys, but I don’t like the icon.

Desktop Toolkit: A Swiss army knife of utilities. It’s hard to describe but, it has pinned apps, custom folder pins, timers, screen recording, color picker, recent files, etc. I like to pin custom PowerShell scripts here.

Toggle Desktop Icons: This app lets you double-click the desktop to hide icons, and adds a system tray icon. It’s similar to HiddenMe on macOS.


I hope this leads to a great discussion and sharing of information!

  • glimse@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    Until it breaks like it just did for me. Rolled back some updates to get it back but now it’s broken again.

    I used ViveTool to enable more taskbar features (never combine, show labels) but there’s a catch…the buttons size to the length of the window title (up to a max width). Makes the Steam button really small…and makes your taskbar dance when changing webpages.

    • frozen@lemmy.frozeninferno.xyz
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      11 months ago

      I’ve only had Explorer Patcher break when Windows updates, but you just have to update or reinstall it. At least, that’s been the case for me on 3 systems.

      • glimse@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        this update supposedly fixes the issue but wasn’t available for a long time. The windows update reinstalled itself immediately so if you got it, you were shit out of luck until the EP devs figured out a workaround

        I made it about a day before chasing down ViveTool because combined icons are the dumbest shit ever for anyone who uses multiple windows regularly

          • glimse@lemmy.world
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            11 months ago

            Yeah…really hoping Microsoft brings the option back. I hate using third party software for stuff like this