Manius Desktop – part 1 – Windows look and usability
Windows taskbar has really cool function noone knows about.. its like joining Windows with OSX. With additional software you can launch software faster and browse your folders in tabs! Learn how to puch most out of your Windows XP, plus i am sure most of it works for Vista!
So…
1. Theme, because standard one are to standard:
i am only using standard themes created by microsoft that dont use any hacking or program(keep you PC as clean as you can). So there are 2 choices
- Royale theme(standard for Windows Xp Media Center).
- Zune Theme(created for zune player social).
Download from microsoft – direct link
After changing skin you should be able to change it easily in display properties>appearance
Remember: Your Desktop have to be easy and fast to use. Look is something less important!
2. Launchy – because launching program you need is easier by typing its name than searching it. So Download:
- Launchy – after installing it simply click alt+space whenever you want to lauch something
- Some skins – Put Skin folder in >launchy>skins>. To Select: right mouse click on launchy>options>skins). Default one fits perfectly for Zune Theme
3. Getting rid of Start menu icon and tweaking taskbar
- Download Start Killer so it removes your start.
Click right button on taskbar> unlock taskbar(might be called different, I am working at Polish system). 
You can make 2 row task bar by dragging it up. Drag (
)QuickStar menu at top and running tasks at bottom.
- If you want big quickstart icons, just click at 
with right mouse button>view>bigger icons.
- Start Programs tool( recommended). You can use New tool creator if you want drop down menu with files from some folder. Most usefull thing to do is add start’s program folder.
1.copy C:\Documents and Settings\"Your user name"\Menu Start to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Menu Start
2. Lead new tool creator to > C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Menu Start, thats it>>>>
- Shutdown/Restart/Log. Just download this pack and drag and drop to quickstartbar:)Oh and when you want spaces between icons, just drag included empty trash icon(hold ctrl to duplicate).
-Start menu launched by icon. download microrunner install it, put Start.mir from my pack in some save place, make shortcut to it, add it to your task bar, change icon, rightclick>proporties>change icon>select this startmenu icon. You can change options in macro runner>organize>options>unselect disable systray so u dont see any icon. There is nothing running in background so its save to use:D
Thats it for taskbar! Dont forget to lock it as it add even more space.
Oh and it is good to log in and out to save changes because you can lose set up after pc crash
4. File explorer
- QTTabBar - Tabs on EXPLORER – download it here, after installing your selecting it in View
tip: use QT Tab standard menu if you want "go back" to work, middle click open new tab, dubble click at empty space moves you up.
- IE Favorites as you native Windows OSX finder just add icon By right click>customize and drag your favorites
Hope it wasnt so hard and it boosts you productivity and please dont install to many shit on your pc that are running in background.
Next I am planning to cover Music Players, Web browsers and maybe other stuff:)
Oh, and if you can, leave screenshots of your "work" in comments:)
