Stardock Fences Portable Hot
I use the desktop, and fences, to quickly group together apps I use regularly for certain tasks. A fence for images editing/optimization softwares, a fence for games, a fence for internet(includes vpn, browsers, ftp program and such) etc.It is way quicker than doing the equivalent in the start menu, that becomes so cluttered with time that finding anything in there is impossible, and many times you even forget you had already installed an app for doing task X. And using the windows search box to start a program is useless when you don’t actually remember the name of that image optimization software you’d like to start:PNot using the desktop is like having this huge playground and not doing anything with it. Yes, having big documents there could reduce performance because it’s loaded in memory, but 20-30 or even 50 shortcuts? Sorry to burst the urban myth, but it does nothing bad performance wise. This ain’t the Win95 era anymore.Loooooove fences. “Horses for courses”, Kin.
Everyone has what works for them. I’m like micro – my desktop is empty (but I do have one clickable rainmeter item. I will ignore the garbage that spewed from Moreman below (yes I watch goat porn, no I do not play games, yes I do a tonne of work).
I actually always have four or five programs open and displayed. I often have ten.
Depends what I am doing. Dual screen, btw, and I use UltraMon so each monitor has its own taskbar, so the main monitor doesn’t get too cluttered with open apps.My taskbar is dragged taller, to fit two icons. The “quick launch” folder, and the icons are tiny, and currently holds 42 icons for instant launch. My system tray has 20 items in it also for instant launch, plus the clock of course.
The task bar area left can hold 10 items for open windows (the other monitor’s task bar only holds open windows). One of the items in my system tray is SyMenu, which holds 350+ programs (all my portable software, including ones in my quick launch/system tray) and they are all three clicks away – click 1 to pop up SyMenu, click 2 to select the folder, click 3 to launch – its very organized and virtually committed to memory, no need to search. Another item in my system tray is “Everything”. I find I can use that to locate files/folders/programs within split seconds. The monitors, btw, are matching 1680×1050 – the next monitors I buy will be even higher res. Between the instantly always in my view (taskbar’s quick launch and system tray), I do not often need to go to SyMenu or the very few programs in my Start Menus – you can’t get much faster than no other actions required besides a single click – for over 60 programs. I also use “Clover” to add tabs to Windows Explorer – and I always have this open on my second monitor (usually at the forefront).
On the clover taskbar I have pinned some shortcuts for programs, so again, even more space for single click access.Of course, the desktop can be handy, and at times I have pinned a few shortcuts to files I am working on. I never have windows maximized, so I find it easy to stick them on the very edge so I can see part of them to launch them. But I am a staunch believer in keeping the desktop clear of files and folders, and I “train” all my clients to do this.
It’s pretty easy to show them the basic folders (downloads, documents, pictures, videos, and custom folders I may set up) and tell them to stick to those folders only for filing things away. I also teach them to structure folders/subfolders based on their business needs and not just dump everything in the root “library” – all my clients are tidy and organized and can find things. I do give them shortcuts tot hose folders though, on their desktops:)Sorry for the long ramble. Depends.My laptop’s desktop has nothing on it because all I use it for is Word, Excel, Outlook and the Internet. There’s lots of files on it but they’re all in nice, tidy folders.My Desktop on the other hand has Fences on it because I work on many different projects concurrently. Each project might use a range of applications and/or need to pull information from a variety of on-disk, on-network or online sources. Fences makes it easy for me to logically create spaces where associated things can sit next to each other.
Sure you can do this with special folders full of shortcuts but Fences is neater. Also help that Fences can display folders directly on the desktop. Easier to drag/drop between two folders when both are permanently on the desktop at all times.I’m not saying Fences is the solution for everyone’s needs. In fact it doesn’t suit mine in my low application use case but for my high use device it’s been very useful indeed.
Stardock Fences Portable Hot Tub
@microMany if not most users are confused by computer file systems. They often lose files they save via an application. If they put files on the Desktop they might locate them in the future. Additionally users like having application shortcuts in an easy to find location, hence we see additional Desktop clutter.I agree with your method leaving the Desktop unencumbered by any icon, but we are in a tiny minority.If a Desktop is overloaded with icons system performance can be negatively affected. This is exactly it. The desktop is a convenient dumping ground for things you need temporarily, or for things that aren’t filed yet.Practically all applications – regardless of age – provide a link to open and save files on the desktop. That isn’t true for other folders.Having zero items on the desktop is no big deal.
Stardock Fences Alternative
There’s an option to turn off desktop icons, making the desktop nothing more than a quickly accessible folder.There does have to be something a bit wrong with someone to go to a review about Fences, jump to the comments and add a new one proclaiming with superiority “I don’t use desktop icons”. Long, long time ago, in Windows XP era I’ve got a small folder (directory) on desktop with a lot of program shortcuts in it. I moved icon of this folder to edge of screen and it magically converted into panel (bar). I set it to autohide, changed icon size, set “always on top” and this way I had easy access to my files and desktop was in perfect order. I could have even three such bars, on each screen edge (one for software links, one for documents and one for files I was currently working onI wish I could do this same now, on W10.
I’m using old Rocket Launcher to achieve this but why use extra software if this was native to OS?. Exactly what I’ve been doing on my WIN XP till a week ago Then I’ve installed Win 8.1 and guess what?One of the 1st things I’ve done was move my old shortcuts folder on to the start bar, for quick reference It’s actually the folder from my old WIn XP drive Some still usable and some I update manually, and I’m using RocketDock as well!!! took a bit but customized it too:) Hmm. As for using a shortcut folder on another OS other than XP version – NO PROBLEM:)The very 1st thing i did was install ClassicShell – and then Kaboom;)My familiar looking environment, benefits of new OS installed with advantages of previous OS good long old customization FTW:)Hope it works out for u:)Few things that haven’t got fixed well – some progs won’t load on startup, even though i set it to, even by adding it manually to a startup folder might has to do with the fact I have some portable versions on someSometimes some progs won’t actually show it’s window when I click em. Not sure why might be same reason, but it’s disturbing.And another thing I forgot Anyhow, GLHF. I found fences an interesting program while it was in Beta and then purchased it. I’m not one to upgrade versions for the sake of it but some of the new features in version 2 were definitely going to be useful in the way I worked.
Version 3 was offered to me the other day but this is mainly enhanced for Windows 10 users but I still decided to upgrade it and I am not disappointed.Sure it isn’t a necessary program for all as it does depend on how you wish to access your programs etc. Personally I have never much cared for the start menu and have used explorer taskbar toolbars for years which has proved pretty reliable.I hate an empty desktop after all what is the point of having an empty folder. Remember the desktop is merely a folder and window to where you want to get to and in truth I need quick access to my programs so Fences is an ideal companion for the way I work. Incidentally, re Richard’s comment – “If a Desktop is overloaded with icons system performance can be negatively affected. Ummm I don’t entirely agree with you sir. If the desktop is used as I believe it was intended to be, then even a few hundred shortcuts wouldn’t have much impact as they are 1 to 3 kb each. Sure, the less you have the less the cpu and gpu has to work so it makes sense to be prudent regarding how the desktop is arranged.
I know people drop large files and entire folders on their desktops because they either don’t know any better or simply don’t care, it is this that can and does degrade system performance. I see this kind of thing all the time as I fix Pc’s for a living.Anyway I digress, Fences is a useful piece of software for those who want to organize the way they work from the desktopPeriod. When using Fences 3.0 on Windows 10. How can I set my fence window to stay on top when I open it. I have mine set at the top of my monitor of course hidden out of the way so when i roll my mouse cursor over one of them they open up, but if I have another window open on the desktop my fence I just rolled down is behind it. How can i set this fence to stay on top of everything so I can use this easier. Love the program but this little problem is driving me crazy.
I may have missed some option but ive looked the settings over and over and cant find a stay on top for anything. Hope i explained the issue where it is understandable.