Anyone come up with a good solution to clear desktop items withotu loosing immediate access to them?

Also, big reflictive desktop icons?

from WinCustomize Forums

I use my desktop for a bunch of immediate access text files (reference notes, mini to do lists, that sort of thing). The files themselves change, well, hourly or more often. They range in number from 2 to like 100, depending on the day.

I'm revisiting my desktop after a while of not messing with it, and the first thing I need to do before I can even consider refreshing all the widgets and docks and things, is to find a solution for all these desktop files.

Let me list some things I have tried and use. I am already using Notezilla (sticky notes) as well as a todo outline program and evernote. As I said, these text things on my desktop are for immediate access. Using a folder, for example, and just keeping it open all the time turns out to not be any different than having the files on my desktop. I know because I tried it. It looks even worse because the folder has a background (even a glassy blur one is uglier than just having these files on my nice wallpaper). I am using a 3 monitor setup and all the shortcuts are on a the 2nd and 3rd monitors. One reason I actually started a dual monitor setup was so I could move all the files off of my main monitor. However, in the end, it doesn't make a difference. I have one clean monitor and 2 messy ones. I have all 3 on all the time so I see all 3, so it doesn't really make a difference. Anything that requires having to constantly open a folder or spend time creating shortcuts to the files are far more trouble than they are worth, I've tried a few of these (including ObjectDock, which I do use, BTW, as a program launcher).

I once really wanted ObjectDock plus to be able to take physical files, not just shortcuts and links, as a way to tidy this all up. Well, clearly that hasn't happened. :( However, to this day, I think a dock that takes physical files would be perfect.

So, has anyone found a program that does this? A dock or some sort of quick access container that allows neatly (and attractively) putting physical files into it? Or does anyone have any systems, widgets or apps they use or have seen that might accomplish this? I current own Object Desktop premium (though I am hardly using it anymore and will probably not be renewing) and ObjectDock 2.0 plus and am on Win 7.

On a semi-related note, can anyone tell me what is used to have those big reflective icons on the desktop. Like this: https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/screenshots/27022/, for example. The 3 folders on the left and right of this screenshot?

Thanks for any help!

21,324 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Firstly, the screenshot shows no pics/icons.

 

Secondly, there is a folder/file drop I use a lot, made by sViz, that will do what you want. It will hold files, folders, pictres, notes, anything you put on it.

I could easily make it into a dock if needed. I use it in most of my DesktopX themes.

 

Here is the template for the file drop.     It is the big one to the right. It can easily be tweaked to your needs. If you need help, contact myself, or sviz.

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

Wow, you seem to have an interesting request and I would have figured a program like ObjectDock Plus would have been the solution but you seem to have already tried it and that didn't work. So what you want is easy access to these files but without all the clutter on your screen? Have you tried Fences? I mean, not only does it keep the files on your desktop but you can create different fences for different files depending on what each file is for creating more organization and not depending on Windows rather unusual way of organizing files and you can simply hide them when you don't want them so visible.

Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I was going to suggest Fences for that very reason. A simple double click on the desktop and poof! Hidden until you're ready to use them. Another double click brings them right back. For variety or extra functionality try Fences and RedneckDudes suggestion. you can't possibly go wrong then.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

euh ... I have a idea... A suggestion...

I dont no if is ridicule but if you take objetdock+ with stack icon 

you have direct every page wath you want 

sorry for my english so bad, I'm french

salutation

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

lecajef, no one will make fun of your English. It's a million times better than my French! 

I'm VERY happy you care enough to risk that to help someone with an idea. To me, that shows you are a good Community member. :thumbsup:  

 

 

lecajef, personne ne se moquera de votre niveau d'anglais. C'est un million de fois mieux que mon français!

Je suis très heureux vous vous souciez assez de risques que d'aider quelqu'un à une idée. Pour moi, cela montre que vous êtes un bon membre de la Communauté.

[Merci, Google]
 

 

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Wow, thank you so much for all the replies!

Yeah, I try Fences constantly. :) Fences Pro is something I keep installing and uninstalling. While it makes the items on my desktop easier to manage the layout of, it becomes a hassle when files are constantly being deleted and added. I have tried the stacks docklet along with KKmenu. While pretty, they make it very difficult and cumbersome for my needs, since the files are being altered, deleted and new files being created very often. Both those don't allow me to right click interact with the files inside the docklet.

I will try that DX widget and Nexus. Both of those look very promising! This makes me very optimistic:

Increase productivity by displaying the contents of folders, the Desktop, My Computer, Control Panel and more as tabs on the Shelf.        
Reduce clutter by hidding Desktop icons and using the Desktop tab on the Shelf instead.
End of quote

If so, I made a mistake buying the ObjectDock 2.0 upgrade. :D

@lecajef, no one should ever make fun of anyone's language skills, especially when they are trying to help :). The fact that you speak multiple languages means you will most likely be better than anyone making fun of you anyway, my friend. As anyone who does speak multiple languages already knows exactly where you are coming from. Only those who are mono lingual would be so ignorant. ;)

     
 
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thank you for your attention :blush: DrJBHL :beer: and silkshadow :beer:

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Tony Soprano don't speak French and he's from Jersey.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting lecajef, reply 5
sorry for my english so bad, I'm french
End of lecajef's quote

most of us know that by now. thank you for translating your thoughts before posting. nuff' already.

Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting lecajef, reply 5
euh ... I have a idea... A suggestion...

I dont no if is ridicule but if you take objetdock+ with stack icon 

you have direct every page wath you want 

sorry for my english so bad, I'm french

salutation
End of lecajef's quote

That is one cool desktop. How did you get it that way? BTW, don't feel so bad, even those who live here sometimes have bad English.

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Especially those in Brooklyn. I come from there and never could understand half of what they say.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

As DrJBHL pointed out, Nexus Ultimate has something called a Shelf (tabbed dock).

What distinguishes the Shelf from other tabbed docks is that, besides tabs to store shortcuts to files, it also features 'special tabs'.

These special tabs can display (and give you quick access to) the contents of virtual folders such as your Desktop, My Computer, Control Panel, Recent Documents, Running Tasks, System Tray, Themes, etc... You can even create tabs that display the contents of specific folders in your hard drive, and manipulate those contents in the Shelf via normal drag & drop.

The fact that you can have quick access to all your Desktop icons via the Shelf's Desktop tab allows you to hide all your desktop icons. Couple this with the Shelf's ability to auto-collapse so only the tabs are visible, and you can have a very clean desktop indeed.