True Launch Bar

Nodeity · Sep 25, 2021

Hey guys, new to this forum, glad to see there might be some support for 11 outside the box. I've been using "True Launch Bar" for well over a decade, maybe closer to two, and with the continuing changes to Windows I've come to find it hard to live without. So imagine my chagrin when I find out I can't use it on 11's task bar. Is this just a temporary thing until 11 is finalised, or am I Sh*.o.o.Luck? I have found Object Dock, which kinda sorta works, but nowhere near as functional as TLB. Any ideas? Thanks :)

Edwin · Sep 25, 2021

It'll work on the current W11 Beta but you have enable Classic Taskbar with Winaero Tweaker.

Nodeity · Sep 25, 2021

Edwin said:
Winaero Tweaker

So... I will be able to "install" TLB to the taskbar with winaero? TLB isn't a tweak or an App/add-on Perse', it's a full-featured program. I'll have to reinstall 11 first though, I kinda gave up on the alpha/beta versions until it was more functional, the taskbar issue being at the top of that list. Thank you for the heads-up. :)

Edwin · Sep 25, 2021

You'll probably have to install a 3rd party Start Menu as well..., I think the Winaero tweaks break the native Start Menu!

Nodeity · Sep 25, 2021

Edwin said:
You'll probably have to install a 3rd party Start Menu as well..., I think the Winaero tweaks break the native Start Menu!

Yeah, see this is a problem for me. I'm not really keen on installing an app to install another app, so I can install my program. :) They really need to sort this, because the task bar is an important place for access to the system, and they broke it for some God unknown reason, or maybe just because they could. Thanks for the Winaero suggestion though. :)

Edwin · Sep 25, 2021

Nodeity said:
...they broke it for some God unknown reason...

I hear ya!
Let's not get into it though, I'm under severe discipline around here for belly-aching endlessly about MS's blunders!!! :wink:

Stigg · Sep 25, 2021

There are a few small start menu utilities available that still work in Windows 11.
Portable Start Menu is one of them which is useful for accessing your frequently used applications.

Nodeity · Sep 25, 2021

Stigg said:
There are a few small start menu utilities available that still work in Windows 11.
Portable Start Menu is one of them which is useful for accessing your frequently used applications.

Yeah, I found Object Dock is more functional and easier to get to as well, it's just not too good with folders, which True Launch Bar excels at. Thanks for the tip though. :)

Stigg · Sep 25, 2021

Nodeity said:
Yeah, I found Object Dock is more functional and easier to get to as well, it's just not too good with folders, which True Launch Bar excels at. Thanks for the tip though. :)

Yeah, I know that True Launch Bar has a lot of functionality, but isn't it broken in Windows 11?
I thought that was mentioned.

Nodeity · Sep 25, 2021

Stigg said:
Yeah, I know that True Launch Bar has a lot of functionality, but isn't it broken in Windows 11?
I thought that was mentioned.

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I want my programs sorted into families and then have them pop up from a folder on the Task Bar for easy access, TLB does this heads and shoulders better than anything I've found so far, hence the strong desire to get it to work without the annoying installation of other programs first. Either that or be a close second, and Object Dock is more functional than "Portable Start Menu" which I just installed to have a looky see, it just doesn't suit my needs unfortunately. Having said that, Tordex who manage TLB, haven't updated it since 2019, so I really should move on. Oh, and I don't think TLB is broken, you can't install any program that will run in the Windows 11 Taskbar. Again though, thanks. :)

LeLibran · Sep 26, 2021

Two 'freeware' options I've looked at that definitely work in Windows 11 without any tweaks to the installation, other than adding their launch icons to the Task Bar, if required:

SyMenu - Primarily a portable applications menu system but it does also automatically index all installed software when first run, producing an 'old school' Windows Start Menu consistent with the Windows Start Folder. Can be launched directly from a shortcut in the Windows 11 Taskbar or using Windows Startup. A desktop icon, only visible when the program is active, can be placed (dragged to) the bottom left-hand corner of the screen (overlaying the Task Bar) and will remember its positioning.

MaxLauncher - A different approach to launching files and folders, which might suit some user work flows. Provides a Tabbed interface and Keyboard shortcuts - Tabs can be used for Categories and file/folder links are populated manually, either by editing individual entries or using drag & drop.

Both applications are portable, not requiring traditional installation; and seem to be well documented & actively maintained.

The-Hive · Sep 26, 2021

Edwin said:
It'll work on the current W11 Beta but you have enable Classic Taskbar with Winaero Tweaker.

Does Winaero Tweaker take away a lot of the functionality where the "old" action centre was? as I have thought about that for other apps

The-Hive · Sep 26, 2021

Edwin said:
I hear ya!
Let's not get into it though, I'm under severe discipline around here for belly-aching endlessly about MS's blunders!!!

You should be able to say what you like (within reason) I agreed with a lot of your posts and surly this is the place to sort the blunders

Edwin · Sep 26, 2021

The-Hive said:
Does Winaero Tweaker take away a lot of the functionality where the "old" action centre was? as I have thought about that for other apps

It may depend on what Build you're on but, the action center remains the new one-with Calendar.
I believe WT simply applies the UndockingDisabled reg hack..., you do need an alternative Start Menu though.

The-Hive · Sep 26, 2021

Edwin said:
It may depend on what Build you're on but, the action center remains the new one-with Calendar.
I believe WT simply applies the UndockingDisabled reg hack..., you do need an alternative Start Menu though.

No mine is fine Edwin thanks, just trying to help Nodiety. I use the taskbar as is, cantered with a 3rd party start menu on the left so I get the best of old and new and a desktop clock with decent font reduced and fixed to be over the taskbar so it looks like its part of it.

Tweakfiend · Sep 26, 2021

Hi Nodeity

I have been using TLBar since 2008.
The task bar version wont work on the vanilla version of Windows 11.
As mentioned , you can modify your system , but best not to interfer with Windows 11 and to wait until drag & drop or toolbar insertion updates appear via Microsoft or 3rd party writers.

Meanwhile Truelaunch portable works well for the moment , if you use it in startup options , and I use it all the time

Nodeity · Sep 26, 2021

Tweakfiend said:
Hi Nodeity

I have been using TLBar since 2008.
The task bar version wont work on the vanilla version of Windows 11.
As mentioned , you can modify your system , but best not to interfer with Windows 11 and to wait until drag & drop or toolbar insertion updates appear via Microsoft or 3rd party writers.

Meanwhile Truelaunch portable works well for the moment , if you use it in startup options , and I use it all the time

Heh! Never really tried TLB portable before (just did though) it's functionally kinda sorta there, but clunky, at least as my system is set up right now. Interesting idea though, I'll have to have a play with it when I get 11 up and running. I have stuff on the table right now though, so it might have to wait a bit. Honestly though, given Tordex seems to have dropped it, I really should find something new. Object Dock would be good if the folder pop up acted more like a menu rather than opening an actual folder in explorer, maybe someone knows a workaround for that? I emailed Tordex an enquiry a month ago and never got an answer, so I'm assuming they're done with it, If they built something specific to 11, I'd be all in. :)

Edwin · Sep 26, 2021

@Nodeity
You may be interested in QTTabBar...,

Wisewiz · Sep 26, 2021

I. too am grieving the loss of my True Launch Bar, after twenty years of using it, mastering it, and discovering that there was nothing I wanted it to do that it couldn't do.

I'm almost at the point of letting the unaccommodating 11 taskbar be the deal-breaker.