AllApps menu alternative

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  1. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #1

    AllApps menu alternative


    I prefer the AllApps screen in Win8.1 to the alpha list in Win10. I've suggested a few variants to MS through feedback.

    It looks as though the alpha list will be the defacto standard, although a leaked peek shows it is a little better (can be hidden) and the Start Screen is not cluttered with a list that's too small and not nearly granular enough to be useful.

    Windows has always been friendly to customization, and if I get the time to learn the XAML coding pertaining to Start, I might build my own. I tried exporting Start though PS, but it failed - that's ok because if you go that route, the Start screen becomes static. The export serves companies who want to have the same screen for all users.

    Until then, I made a poor man's AllApps screen

    Download ~AllApps.zip folder and extract the shortcut


    After you have extracted the shortcut, check the properties of the shortcut and unblock it if it is marked blocked.

    If you would rather a different icon or the icon I set did not make it through the transfer, change it while you're in properties.

    AllApps menu alternative-allappsicon.png

    I used the right arrow icon in %SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll
    You can see it in the screen shots and if you have to 'fix' the icon, it's about in the middle of the slider displaying icons in shell32.dll

    When you are finished with the shortcut properties
    Move ~AllApps.lnk (the shortcut) to your personal Start menu

    %Appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

    When you look at the Start menu list, the new item, ~AllApps, will be first in the list since tilde ~ is lower in value that most other characters.

    Pin ~AllApps to Start and place it where it's convenient to you. I mimicked the Win8.1 placement of an arrow at the lower left area.

    AllApps menu alternative-allappsmenu.png

    When you're finished, you will have a pseudo AllApps screen. One of the niceties is that you can use all of the File Explorer organization features.

    I set mine to
    Hide the Navigation pane (organize button)
    view as list (top view selector - press the icon to cycle through available views or press the down arrow to select the one you want)

    Right click an open area of the main window
    sort by name
    group by none

    AllApps menu alternative-allapps.png

    There is one problem ... the settings do not stick.

    I'll post an update once (if) I figure that out - I'd venture that some member will post the solution before I get back to it. It might be as simple as changing the shortcut target to call rundll shell32 or explorer.
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  2. Posts : 16,623
    Windows 11 Pro X64
       #2

    Good stuff Bill, I appreciate your effort
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
       #3

    Slartybart said:
    I prefer the AllApps screen in Win8.1 to the alpha list in Win10. I've suggested a few variants to MS through feedback.

    I'll post an update once (if) I figure that out - I'd venture that some member will post the solution before I get back to it. It might be as simple as changing the shortcut target to call rundll shell32 or explorer.
    Got it! Thanks. Looking forward to the update. :)
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  4. Posts : 27,162
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #4

    Thank Bill! I've pinned mine to the taskbar. If case anyone forgets in properties you can also set a shortcut key combination also.
    Here's how it looks with a dark theme:
    Attachment 18887

    Edit: You might want to make this into a tutorial. I'll bet thousands, if not millions of users, will want to be able to do this after the Big Upgrade:), and having it hidden under General Discussion just isn't worthy of so a useful tool.
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  5. Posts : 3,105
    W10 Pro + W10 Preview
       #5

    Slartybart.
    What a brilliant idea, like yourself I prefer the Allapps screen in W8.1.
    Your suggestion gives one the option of either version, hopefully M$ will take note.
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  6. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
    Thread Starter
       #6

    It needs spit and shine before a tut ... and Brink might already have one. I built a Control Panel and he had a better one

    Having looked at that tut though, does lead me to believe that a change to the way it is called will solve the stickiness issue.

    I'll test a bit more before I feel it meets the tut standard.

    Cliff, thanks - I forgot to mention that you could also pin it to the Taksbar. Dark theme makes the white icons show nicely too.
    I forgot to mention that 'other' issue, the icons are only good at smaller sizes - otherwise they are white. With a white background, they are essentially invisible.

    Thanks to Dude, Wynona, Star Ferret, and dencal as well!
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  7. Posts : 27,162
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #7

    This morning (my time) I was trying to find a way for it to hold the View settings I like for it (medium), I even tried creating a library folder, but that and other things just didn't work(no big deal really) but in properties I did set it to open maximized every time.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 56,806
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #8

    There is one problem ... the settings do not stick.

    =========================================

    Bill, which setting is not "sticking"? I popped your allapps on my box and set it up, basically looking just like yours. Worked. Signed off and on. Still work like I had it set. reboot - same. What's not sticking?
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  9. Posts : 27,162
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #9

    He means the view settings( small, large, icons, list, tiles, details,...etc)you can change in File Explorer. They revert back to default every time you open it.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 519
       #10

    How did you apply the option to copy to the taskbar. I don't see it? - But a very welcome shortcut in the start menu!
      My Computer


 

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