Windows 7 Superbar Stomps the Old Taskbar – Part 1

from JoeUser Forums

In Windows, one aspect of the user interface that most people see all the time is the taskbar.  It is obviously one of the most useful pieces as it contains the tools to launch and monitor applications and other sorts of various data.  In the skinning world it’s also one of the most important areas to skin as it’s a huge part of the overall UI.  The evolution of the Windows taskbar has come a long way, but Windows 7 has taken it to the extreme and literally stomps all over the old style taskbar found in Windows XP and Vista.

First, lets take a look at the Windows XP taskbar.

10-21-2009 4-02-23 PM

It’s pretty simple, it does what it was intended to do.  There wasn’t much advanced functionality here, at least not by default.  It was possible to add some very cool features using something like WindowFX, which in the screenshot below, it was able to add previews for minimized windows in the taskbar.[more]

WindowFX_ss2

In comes Vista, which brought some much needed improvements in the taskbar area, but overall it wasn’t that much different as far as functionality.  The most exciting update was live previews in the taskbar as shown below.  It was a nice addition but still nothing groundbreaking to speak of.

vista_taskbar

With the release of Windows 7, we saw a huge update in the Windows taskbar, now dubbed the “Superbar”.  Not only was this a visual change to a point, it also introduced more functionality than we have ever seen before. 

Lets take a look at some of the new offerings.


Jump Lists

If I had to pick a personal favorite, this would be near the top.  Right-clicking a program icon in the taskbar gives you an expanded menu with a variety of options depending on the application itself.  This is a quick way to access items like recent files, quick tasks, application functions, etc.

Take the jumplist for Impulse for example:

impulse_jumplist

Right-clicking the icon gives you quite a choice of options.  You can select recently played games, favorite applications, common tasks like going to the Impulse Store, and more.  Not all applications support jumplists yet, but more and more are being updated all the time.


Taskbar Buttons

Visually, this will be one of the most noticeable changes in Win7.  Gone are the days of the taskbar with the optional small quick launch icons.  Now the icons are bigger, and more accessible.  One of the most handy features here is Aero Peek.  If you work with a bunch of different windows open like I do, you will appreciate this. 

Just move your cursor over the icon of an open window icon and you will see a thumbnail of that open file and can easily switch between windows without having to minimize or move any of them.  It also works well with applications like Internet Explorer, which will show each open tab as a separate window which you can go directly to.

aeropeek

Today we have covered the basics of the Windows taskbar, and just a couple of the cool new features in the Windows 7 Superbar.  Stay tuned for part 2!

85,856 views 30 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Great information, ID.  Looking forward to part deux.   :thumbsup:  

Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Personally I can't stand the default behavior of the combined running tasks and quicklaunch, with no text. Forcing users to mouse over things to identify them is one of the cardinal sins of usable interface design ("mystery meat navigation"). Enabling labels alone only makes it worse, because then you've got full taskbar buttons interspersed with quicklaunch buttons, which get randomly shifted back and forth depending on what's open (Where's the shortcut? Oh, it's over between the fifth and sixth taskbar buttons this time...).

The only properly usable solution is to set it back to the old style and not use quicklaunch at all, which is annoying to say the least. At least there's always Objectdock.

Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

forcing users to mouse over to identify? come on! you can't recognize what is open by its icon? the superbar is far and way superior to the taskbar of xp and vista. there was a debate about that before 7 was launched and people said they prefer the old style bar. guess what. how many pics of current screenies of systems using 7 do you see using anything but the default superbar? i've seen the grand total of 0.

Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

you can't recognize what is open by its icon?
End of quote

The primary apps I use daily, sure. But Microsoft has a tendency to completely change the icons for all of windows' various bits and bobs with every version, as do a number of app companies. And there are all those other less commonly used apps as well. I use a computer to get stuff done, not to play memory game.

Additionally, if you've got multiple instances of a particular app open at once, the new system forces you to hover and look. Whereas with the old one you can tell which is which at a glance from the title and pick the right one the first time, every time.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Additionally, if you've got multiple instances of a particular app open at once, the new system forces you to hover and look. Whereas with the old one you can tell which is which at a glance from the title and pick the right one the first time, every time.
End of quote

Yeah, I hate that too.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

+1 to what kryo said. One of the things putting me off upgrading to 7 is the new taskbar. Jump lists look nice but I couldn't stand taskbar grouping in XP, and this looks like an even worse version of it.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

whatever. i'll take the superbar over the previous taskbars anytime. i also use my computer to get things done and i consider the superbar superior in every way. things change with each new version of operating systems and apps. some people think the changes are advances (i'm one of those people) and others don't. to each their own, i guess.

Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Quoting kryo, reply 2
Personally I can't stand the default behavior of the combined running tasks and quicklaunch, with no text. Forcing users to mouse over things to identify them is one of the cardinal sins of usable interface design ("mystery meat navigation"). Enabling labels alone only makes it worse, because then you've got full taskbar buttons interspersed with quicklaunch buttons, which get randomly shifted back and forth depending on what's open (Where's the shortcut? Oh, it's over between the fifth and sixth taskbar buttons this time...).
End of kryo's quote

my thoughts exactly. It's a real shame that microsoft has started giving in to the "apple nerds" (no offense intended...well, ok...maybe a little). It's one thing to pull off a major visual overhaul, but it's another to hamper functionality to improve the look to the foolish user.

Quoting kryo, reply 2
The only properly usable solution is to set it back to the old style and not use quick launch at all, which is annoying to say the least. At least there's always Objectdock.
End of kryo's quote

you can get the old quick launch back.  look here for the steps: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/add-the-quick-launch-bar-to-the-taskbar-in-windows-7/

Windows just isn't Windows without quick launch....ok fine...that's a bit of a...huge...stretch... ;)

 

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Kryo, I agree with you. And here's something that may help:

Enable Quick Launch in Windows 7

Use this little trick and un-pin all your apps. Then set your taskbar to "small icons" and "always show labels" and you're all good!

Kind of annoying that you have to go through all that, though.

**EDIT**

Haha! I just noticed Dsep basically offered the same info. oops! :X

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Have to say I'm a fan of the new taskbar......then again I never used QuickLaunch....prior to 7 QL was for wussies who didn't Right Click ;p

I admit I'd prefer to be able to set certain programs to group and others not to group but that's my only complaint.

Now if Stardock could just come up with the replacement for RightClick all would be right with the world again. :)

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I like the new taskbar.. I like it even more now  with no text but then again thats how I like it.

what I don't like is the way they renamed stuff in the control panel but that is off topic a bit.

here are some more off topic I don't like the UAC coming up all the time asking do you want this program to run well No Sh!t I want it to run or I would not have clicked on it. MS need to add a box that says remmber this program!!

Yes I know I can turn UAC off or down, Just have not done it yet...  Should not have to go throught all that, it is annoying and WOW it even comes up with MS programs too you would think their programs would be the exception.. so MS don't trust their owne stuff to run.

 

the no ability to sort my folder the way I want them and No room in between top and bottum side by side or the empty spot to the right to click in an empty spot Example in XP I could move the Folder any where I wanted them and had room to click in an empty spot...

don't get me wrong I like Se7en right after XP and use them both on xp now..

 

have not used the jump list yet, well that i know of.

I find it is easier in XP if I need to more stuff around then in Se7en or edit the contents of a folder

 

Hiding 3D flip in 7 I like 3D flip So I had to bring it out of hiding.

 

not being able to open your user folder A.K.A. DiturbedComputer (username) you have to take owner ship to do so it's my folder I should have access without taking ownership and that go's for the start menu folder to.

I would say the average uses would not know how to do this stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I prefer the new taskbar as well.I actually like the hover feature.

In my case I usually have more than 6 windows explorer windows open at a time along with a few other programs so the writing on the old taskbar buttons wouldn't be visible anyway.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

MS need to add a box that says remmber this program!!
End of quote
Agreed . .ort Stardock.  :)

I don't like the UAC coming up all the time asking do you want this program to run well No Sh!t I want it to run or I would not have clicked on it. MS need to add a box that says remmber this program!!
End of quote
Tweak7 yet?

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Tweak 7 YET?    I did quote it and it did not quote

I have it installed does that count 

 

oh never mind I hit the rply  not the Quote

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

"Gone are the days of the taskbar with the optional small quick launch icons.  Now the icons are bigger, and more accessible."

Not on my Windows 7 setup. I made the taskbar small and use small icons.

Reply #16 from Elemental Forums Top

Is there any way to eliminate the delay on preview windows? I don't mind mousing over to find the window I want, but I don't want to have to wait to select a window.

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

AGree with Kyro, I find just about all of it completely useless, just more of a pain in the ass to skin as far as I can see and a reason MS uses to tout and sell yet another OS. They don't know how to leave well enough alone.

Mine is set to single row, small icons.

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

At first I thought I would hate the big superbar, but I actually like it and have it set to large icons. The first thing I did though was change the setting to NEVER combine, always show labels. And I don't use quicklaunch/pinned programs either, that's what OD+ is for. But overall, I'm liking it.

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I found out the same thing Bebi did, it's okay and I use OD+ also.  Not anything to really work up a sweat over. :-"

It's not like you are slow dancing with you sister or brother.  :sun:

Oh boy, now that's a picture that is going to last for a while. :O

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Teucrian, reply 16
Is there any way to eliminate the delay on preview windows? I don't mind mousing over to find the window I want, but I don't want to have to wait to select a window.
End of Teucrian's quote

Click on the taskbar button rather than simply hover 'n wait. ;)

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Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top

"Gone are the days of the taskbar with the optional small quick launch icons. Now the icons are bigger, and more accessible." Not on my Windows 7 setup. I made the taskbar small and use small icons.
End of quote

Of course you did, Kona.

 

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top

I don't know, I must be the only one that hates the new Windows 7 taskbar, or I just don't know how to use it.  I used to group programs together in my old XP start menu, where all my burning / ripping apps (Nero, DVD Decryptor, Exact Audio) would be in one folder, all system utilities (Anti-virus, drivers), office apps (Adobe, MS Office, etc), would be sorted properly.  I don't want to dump every program I use on the taskbar, but now it's a pain to go look for that rarely used app when I want to run it.  Does anyone know if the Windows 7 taskbar / start menu can be organized in any way that doesn't mean pinning every single program to the taskbar?

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Does anyone know if the Windows 7 taskbar / start menu can be organized in any way that doesn't mean pinning every single program to the taskbar?
End of quote

Yes but Note It is a Pain-in-the-azz

you have to do it in the start menu it self and NOT in the START MENU FOLDER if you move stuff around in the FOLDER it will mess stuff up

and Note when moving one to a folder on some you have to have ownership Link will be provided at end

 

ok go to start menu then all programs  (NOTE) you can't add a new folder so when you move a program to another folder DON'T delete the empty folder just rename it to what you what it to be  (Note you can add a folder but you have to open the stat menu Folder and do it in all Users or Default User or username) note On username only if you'er the only user that will use that program

you can delete all the Uninstalls if you want and all the other BS if you want.

Example I got all my spy removers and the like in one floder call Defenders

 


By null at 2010-01-20

 the first link is the easy one

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/add-take-ownership-to-explorer-right-click-menu-in-vista/

http://www.blogsdna.com/2159/how-to-take-ownership-grant-permissions-to-access-files-folder-in-windows-7.htm

 

 

 

 

 

Reply #24 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Mirsguy, reply 20

Quoting Teucrian, reply 16Is there any way to eliminate the delay on preview windows? I don't mind mousing over to find the window I want, but I don't want to have to wait to select a window.
Click on the taskbar button rather than simply hover 'n wait.
End of Mirsguy's quote

Heh... now I feel stupid. Thanks. k1

Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top

it’s a huge part of the overall UI.
End of quote

That about sums it up. :P

I've done everything I can to make it look more like Vista except adding QL which I plan on doing eventually. No rush since I'm staying with 32 bit Vista for now. Why,you may ask? Because it works without jumping through 64 bit hoops to try to get programs to run.