Database Info

Go Back/Front option in Start menu

One of the things I find annoying in browsing for apps through the Programs entry in the start menu is that if you browse sub folder in it (like Games) you can't go back without closing the Programs menu...
Is there any freeware and lite app or hack that can add a Back and Front options to the WM bottom bar only when browsing Programs?
Thanks in advance

Bump...
Come on it's been a week... Doesn't anyone know of an answer?
Sorry if this seems shameless but if I get it right this thread has only one week left and then will be deleted...

If nobody posts an answer, then it's probably because nobody has one.
I don't have an answer for your question, but a piece of advice instead: ditch the default start menu - it's crap Use QuickMenu, TouchLaunch or MortButtons (this one takes some time to configure properly but it's probably the most powerful), or more than one of them. They all have their pros and cons, but all are better than the default start menu that hasn't changed at all since windows CE 3.0 (probably since 1.0, but 2 is the oldest one i used ). QuickMenu is great because it behaves like the start menu on a "big" windows - it's cascading plus it has some neat options lik ebuilt in task manager, screen rotation and SIP selection. Also, it can replace the default menu entirely. But it's not very finger friendly and it's best used with a D-Pad, a stylus or with a finger where you're not in motion. But it's rather hard to use with a finger on a bike or on a bus.
TouchLaunch is still a beta, but works really smoothly, and is very finger friendly. Also, it can view all shortcuts you have in the start menu ignoring folder structure, so as long as you know program's name, it will be really easy to find.
All of them are free and availible here at xda-devs, just do a search. So my advice is to try them all and choose the one you like the best, but forget about the default menu.

Thanks for the reply
I realized that people might not now the answer but they might as well have missed the thread since it was burried by a whole week of q&a's...
I've actually tried QuickMenu and TouchLanch in the past but I removed both. The first is a lot less finger-friendly than Omnia's big screen implementation for the start menu and seemed kind of unstable (at least the version I tried. I switched to wktask as a task manager/lister/launcher (I keep only the most usefull shortcuts).
The second is kind of heavy, didn't fit to my whole screen (and I couldn't config it to... at least that version) and the Launcher that comes with Omnia has a feature very similar to it (which is also heavy... that's why I still use the default Program folder sometimes)...
I generally use the default Start menu Programs browser for apps I use less often.
Will try MortButton though I don't know if this is what I'm looking for (or if I can even use it)... I always thought there would be a small .exe or scipt to address this WM flaw.

I don't understand what do you mean?
When I go to 'Programs', then 'Games' via the start menu, if I press OK it takes me back to Programs.
Maybe you have a task manager set up that closes windows when you press OK.

Strange... Is there an "OK" in your system? Mine is WM 6.1 (oficial rom). I don't have any buttons in the bottom bar while browsing Games and on the top bar there's an "X" in the right.
It doesn't seem to be the task manage. I'm pretty sure I remember this behavior as the default and I just double checked after exiting wktask and even after a soft-reset (with it's autorun feature disabled)... Even without a task manager that folder is closed without returning to Programs...

Multitasking in WM6

Although I can open more than one app at a time, is there a way of seeing which apps are open - as in a task bar like on a pc or laptop.. cheers

EFMax said:
Although I can open more than one app at a time, is there a way of seeing which apps are open - as in a task bar like on a pc or laptop.. cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search for QuickMenu, Task Manager, etc.. Mort Buttons is also a nice launcher than will list running programs, etc.
Please search next time.

Thank you.. its not from a lack or an inability to search but more a question of asking the search engine the right question, something humans are able to respond to in a much more friendly and precise sort of way.. cheers.

You'll see quite a bit if you search for "task manager" or "wm6 task manager". My personal favorite is WkTask.

Try Task Facade or Task Manager.

How to Hide Shortcut?

I like to hide few of my shortcut, like "Lock", "Clear Storage"
i using Sprite Terminator program, i like to hide that shortcut to prevent from anybody to touch them.
anyone can tell me how? maybe in registry tweaks?
Thanks.

satu said:
I like to hide few of my shortcut, like "Lock", "Clear Storage"
i using Sprite Terminator program, i like to hide that shortcut to prevent from anybody to touch them.
anyone can tell me how? maybe in registry tweaks?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just browze to Windows\Start Menu\Programs or whereever and delete the links.

Thanks for reply,
but don't want to delete it, just hide it. so i can use it again.
and,, i can't find "Lock.ink" in any location.
can you help me, please?

satu said:
Thanks for reply,
but don't want to delete it, just hide it. so i can use it again.
and,, i can't find "Lock.ink" in any location.
can you help me, please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look for "Device-Lock".
You can put the links in a separate "Admin" folder and encrypt it.

You can set the properties to 'Hidden' with Total Commander (and probably Resco Explorer; I don't have it). Just highlight the link, check File--->Properties and tick the Hidden box.

Bruce Inman said:
Look for "Device-Lock".
You can put the links in a separate "Admin" folder and encrypt it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm using Timolol's stock-like WM6.5 b23409 ROM for Touch Pro (05 Sep 09), but there is no "Device-Lock". just "DeviceLock.htm" and "DeviceLockSetting.exe" but it can't be delete or move..
any sugestion, please..
Thanks.
edit 1: and there is no "DeviceLock.ink". i'm using Resco Explorer and "DeviceLockSetting.exe" is Hidden already.
edit 2: there is no "Clear Storage.ink". there is just "ClearStorage.exe", but it can't be delete or move
I need to hide "Lock" shortcut; I need to Delete "ClearStorage.exe" and "Clear Storage" shortcut.
anyone can tell me how to do it, Please?? Thanks.

Still wating for the answer...
anybody can help me??
I'm still waiting for your answer... my question is:
How to Hide the "lock" and "Clear Storage" Shortcut??
Plus my new Question is how to hide the "Remove Programs" Shortcut?? (or Hide/Delete Program List in the Remove Program window)
Thanks for helping me.

Ok, this may be harder than I first thought. You basically want to disable the shortcut, right? Here is what I would try: Get a shortcut to solitaire or wmp or whatever and rename it to Lock.lnk or Clear Storage.lnk. Then copy it into Window\Start Menu\Settings (for Lock.lnk) or Window\Start Menu\Settings\System (for Clear Storage.lnk or Remove Programs.lnk); you'll need to create the \System folder, btw. Since you're on a 6.5 rom, the icon should remain the same, but the shortcut will now be redirected to the program of your choice. Since the .exe's and .cpl's are in rom, there's no way to delete them, and shortcuts for the Settings control panel work differently than Programs shortcuts. But I'm about 80% sure that this will solve you problem.
Your other option is to over-write clearstorage.exe with a dummy file: just create a blank text file and rename it (changing the extension to .exe) and drop it in \windows with total commander. That will work, although you'll get the 'this is not a trusted certificate' error instead of having a shortcut that does something semi-useful.
Why so paranoid, lol?

Farmer Ted said:
Ok, this may be harder than I first thought. You basically want to disable the shortcut, right? Here is what I would try: Get a shortcut to solitaire or wmp or whatever and rename it to Lock.lnk or Clear Storage.lnk. Then copy it into Window\Start Menu\Settings (for Lock.lnk) or Window\Start Menu\Settings\System (for Clear Storage.lnk or Remove Programs.lnk); you'll need to create the \System folder, btw. Since you're on a 6.5 rom, the icon should remain the same, but the shortcut will now be redirected to the program of your choice. Since the .exe's and .cpl's are in rom, there's no way to delete them, and shortcuts for the Settings control panel work differently than Programs shortcuts. But I'm about 80% sure that this will solve you problem.
Your other option is to over-write clearstorage.exe with a dummy file: just create a blank text file and rename it (changing the extension to .exe) and drop it in \windows with total commander. That will work, although you'll get the 'this is not a trusted certificate' error instead of having a shortcut that does something semi-useful.
Why so paranoid, lol?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for reply,
first way, thats didn't working
...
to replace ClearStorage.exe with the dummy one, this way is working good, thanks.
one of my problem is solved.
left 2 problems, and i still need your help guys..
note: for "Lock" and "Remove Programs" i just want to hide the shortcut; or delete program list in the Remove Program window, not to delete the main exe programs
...
i lost my Atom before, and nothing i can do about that.
now i'm using Srite Terminator program, it's like security program if you lost your PPC. so i have to hide that shortcuts, to get the program work more safer..
i leave the Lock password/pin empty, so terminator can remotely to lock/unlock my handset. if you activated the Lock passwrod/pin, terminator can remotely to lock your handset, but can't unlock it back. so i need to hide the shortcut to avoid from someome to fill this password/pin lock.
i hide clear storage shorcut/or replace clearstorage.exe, so "the thief" can't do a hard reset, except they know to do hard reset with hard button.
i hide Remove Programs, so nobody can uninstall my programs, specially the terminator.
thanks... and waiting more answer

Need Your Solution, Please..
Hi All... I'm still waiting for your help.
Thanks.

Have you thought about disabling your hardware keys as well, because if someone steals your phone and has enough knowledge to look for clear storage, they certainly have enough knowledge to press Reset\Vol Dwn\OK...
So... you need to cook W.I.M.P or Sprite Terminator with settings preset into your ROM.

Bruce Inman said:
Have you thought about disabling your hardware keys as well, because if someone steals your phone and has enough knowledge to look for clear storage, they certainly have enough knowledge to press Reset\Vol Dwn\OK...
So... you need to cook W.I.M.P or Sprite Terminator with settings preset into your ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is possible to disabling hardware keys? specially hard reset keys?
i agree with you, that the better is including W.I.M.P or SprieTerminator into ROM, including the settings of course.
to bad, i'm not a cooker, maybe you can teach me how to cook, to including application with settings. so i can build my private ROM. i can learning on it. maybe you can send me a "Cook.pdf"
a big thanks to you.

Looking for Task switcher

I've searched all night and installed and uninstalled nearly 1/2 dozen apps and can't find what I'm looking for.
I'm trying to find a simple task manager like switcherbar.exe on WM2003 or WM2005 for my Sprint HTC Touch Pro2. I don't want icons, fancy displays etc or a bunch of other unrelated features that consume memory or processor. I just want a simple clean tool that does the job as well as it did on my Dell Axim 50v WM2005. It should reside is a small icon in the task bar and display the running applications when I tap on it. I tap the app to change to it, or tap end app to close it.
Yes I know it's boring, but it's efficient, stable, and takes virtually no memory.
I've tried Magic Button, and pBar (the closest so far) but can't find anything that actually as simple and intuitive as the old switcher bar. I've even tried copying the file from my dell to no avail.
Thanks in advance.

wktask ... also try ae button plus and set a hard key to alt-tab

On my blueangel i have the windows media player button set to launch the default task manager. Not pretty by any means, but it works well and is fairly fast after it is loaded into memory

switcherbar.exe replacement.
wktask has an button for each running program and also changes the behavior of the X button. If I have more than a few programs running it obliterates the icons on my task bar blocking the icons there (signal strength, bluetooth etc). If I reduce the size of the buttons enough then their not finger friendly at all.
I'm trying to find a simple replacement that's a simple icon where I tap it to see the list of running programs with the option to close the active program or all programs like switcherbar.exe did. I don't want program launchers and I really don't want to remap my buttons. I like them the way they are. Actually my phone only allows me to remap my talk button anyhow.
If I could get switcherbar.exe to work on my Touch Pro2 I would be absolutely thrilled!
Maybe I named the topic of this thread wrong. I should have called it "Looking for a switcherbar.exe replacement".
I guess I'm looking for something too simple in a world where everyone like bells and whistles.

I use Wisbar Advance, it shows icons of running programs right on the taskbar, so I use my Touch HD like it's a desktop PC . And I also use Alt-tab from SPB Pocket Plus mapped to HW button not exactly what you described (and not freeware), but it's the best multitasking experience I've ever had

AE Button has a nice task switcher; assign a button to it, and you're good to go. It doesn't alter the function of the 'x' button or the task bar. You need to pony up 7 bucks, though.

I bought SPB pocket plus a while back (then later switched to something else). I copied out the standalone alt-tab.exe program that installs with the package. I just made a shortcut to this executable and then assigned a button. Worked fine even after uninstalling pocket plus. It doesn't reside in memory, it only functions when called upon.

I always liked the task manger in Homescreen Plus Plus.

I wish there was a way to put a small icon up on the task bar at the top of the screen linking to the HTC task manager. Very finger friendly, but not very accessible. You have to leave your program and go launch it. Kinda defeats the point of a task manager.
In the mean time I think I've finally found a program that I can use. It's called HandySwitcher. The icons are a bit small and it's not the most finger friendly app out there, but it's always available, takes little memory, doesn't require button remapping to function and it just works. Maybe some day a more finger friendly program like that will be made. A link on the top bar to the HTC task manager or something similar for those that don't have a HTC would be perfect.
Thanks for the input.

AppSwipe Task Switcher
Came across this in the market. Its is free and has the ability to add favorites for faster accessing.
h$$p://dl.dropbox.com/u/17878354/snap20110119_163134.png
sorry can't post links yet.

Problem with Duttys Task Mamager

Hi, I've installed Duttys Task Manager, but it doesn't appear in the start menu, or in "Tools", but it does appear when I look to uninstall it from Start>Settings>Application>Manage application>Remove
I've tried several times with and without soft reset, but it's always the same.
It doesn't appear in File Explorer on the HD2, or Explorer on my desktop machine either (Vista Ultimate, 32 bit).
I'm also running these programs:
Two Peaks Billrate
eWallet
Gyrator2
Mobireader
Start Menu Grid 4
SPB Time3 (Demo)
TCPMP_netDrg V2
? Duttys Task Manager?
The end result I'm trying to achieve is to stop Gyrator2 exiting when I end all tasks from the task manager. I understand that Duttys Task Manager will let me do this.
Any ideas or alternative suggestions? Thanks in advance for any help.

John North said:
Hi, I've installed Duttys Task Manager, but it doesn't appear in the start menu, or in "Tools", but it does appear when I look to uninstall it from Start>Settings>Application>Manage application>Remove
I've tried several times with and without soft reset, but it's always the same.
It doesn't appear in File Explorer on the HD2, or Explorer on my desktop machine either (Vista Ultimate, 32 bit).
I'm also running these programs:
Two Peaks Billrate
eWallet
Gyrator2
Mobireader
Start Menu Grid 4
SPB Time3 (Demo)
TCPMP_netDrg V2
? Duttys Task Manager?
The end result I'm trying to achieve is to stop Gyrator2 exiting when I end all tasks from the task manager. I understand that Duttys Task Manager will let me do this.
Any ideas or alternative suggestions? Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. I think you cannot choose what programmes remain running with the task manager(Duttys)unless you close each app individually(leaving Gyrator running)

Hi, thanks for your reply. This is what I'm doing at the moment - closing each app individually - but I thought I'd read somewhere on the forum that Dutty's had an exclusion list. Maybe I'm wrong, in which case I won't bother with Dutty's at the moment. It's not that big a deal, but I only find out that Gyrator's not running when I need it. Cheers.

Hello again. I think you could use another task manager called showacase or showcase. That app has a config option.I'm not at home at the moment but i thnk i have it. once i get home,ill upload it for you.

Use the Touch X Task Manager. You can find it here...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=584415
It gives you a task manager available from Sense (top-right corner). If you go into settings (click the wrench icon) then you can select any running app and add it to the exclusions list.
Hope this helps

Thanks rumz82 and johncmolyneux. I HAVE got Dutty's Task Manager after all. Like the Touch X Task Manager it creates a drop-down menu in the top right corner where several options are offered. I must be blind 'cos I didn't notice it! I haven't tried the options yet because I didn't want to waste any more of anyone's time. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks again.

John North said:
Thanks rumz82 and johncmolyneux. I HAVE got Dutty's Task Manager after all. Like the Touch X Task Manager it creates a drop-down menu in the top right corner where several options are offered. I must be blind 'cos I didn't notice it! I haven't tried the options yet because I didn't want to waste any more of anyone's time. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh - glad you found it okay. And I'm sorry mate, but LOL!!
I also like the word "mamager" thread title. It sounds like something for keeping boobs in order

Hum, yes, I see what you mean!
I'm not a very good typist, and sometimes a bit dyslexic. I usually rely on the spell-checker where I've put in all my usual mistakes for auto-correction. Another reason is that I usually work on my computer with an A4 pad in front of the keyboard for taking notes, and this doesn't give me a very good typing position. When I remove it I'm a lot more accurate, but I need it when I'm in problem-solving mode. Cheers.

John North said:
Hum, yes, I see what you mean!
I'm not a very good typist, and sometimes a bit dyslexic. I usually rely on the spell-checker where I've put in all my usual mistakes for auto-correction. Another reason is that I usually work on my computer with an A4 pad in front of the keyboard for taking notes, and this doesn't give me a very good typing position. When I remove it I'm a lot more accurate, but I need it when I'm in problem-solving mode. Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just having a bit of fun at your expense mate I'm terrible for going back and re-editting stuff that I typed previously. I'm just a real pedant, so I notice EVERYTHING! lol

No problem - I'm just as bad. I like good English and am a bit like you in that respect. I used to teach english as a foreign language, and I do like good grammar and spelling. I suppose I should be more tolerant but the quality of some of the posts really niggles me, and I'm talking about the posts by people where English is their first language!
Anyway, I've had a play with Dutty's Task MaNager, and it does what I need, but thanks for your help anyway. I wouldn't have noticed the drop-down menu without your post.
I've noticed your credit in the work with Co0kie.HomeTab_v1.6.1. I've read the posts and I'm very interested in getting more quicklinks on my home page, and more appointments too. Am I correct in thinking that I can do this without editing the registry? I've got confused. Are you the right person to ask?
Thanks again.

John North said:
No problem - I'm just as bad. I like good English and am a bit like you in that respect. I used to teach english as a foreign language, and I do like good grammar and spelling. I suppose I should be more tolerant but the quality of some of the posts really niggles me, and I'm talking about the posts by people where English is their first language!
Anyway, I've had a play with Dutty's Task MaNager, and it does what I need, but thanks for your help anyway. I wouldn't have noticed the drop-down menu without your post.
I've noticed your credit in the work with Co0kie.HomeTab_v1.6.1. I've read the posts and I'm very interested in getting more quicklinks on my home page, and more appointments too. Am I correct in thinking that I can do this without editing the registry? I've got confused. Are you the right person to ask?
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, I'm glad you got your original issue sorted, and I'm happy to help
Secondly, Co0kie's Home Tab will modify the Sense Home Tab so that you can have multiple pages of quicklinks, ranging from 3x3 to 5x5. All the settings are registry entries, and that's where I came into the story. I made the CHTEditor which gives you the ability to change all the settings that Co0kieMonster made available to us, but via a GUI.
The GUI is unfortunatly a bit lacking in some respects (you have to click some things two or three times before they work; certain things are difficult to change etc.), but that will be resolved in the next version. The current version does work, and obviously makes it a lot easier to set up Co0kie's most excellent mod.
Have fun playing with your new home tab. It made my phone easily twice as useful!

Had the same issue. For me Duttys Task Manager just didnt show up in the right corner after installation.
But it showed up after the installation of another app.
For me i also felt that my battery drain was faster with the task manager AND after bootup it takes way longer until Sense is fully reacting on my input with it installed.
So i uninstalled it and now im using the Task Manager that comes with the HD2.
I have a shortcut in the Co0kies Home Tab to it and everytime im finished with an app i open the task manager and close all running apps. Simple but good

Thanks dameon12 - maybe I wasn't so blind after all! I'm not away from my charger for very long at the moment so I'm not able to comment on the battery life. I installed Dutty's Task Manager to stop Gyrator closing so that my screen will always change from portrait to landscape for applications where a wider screen is more useful - in my case, spreadsheets.
I'm experimenting in using my phone to send information I collect in my work back to base so I don't have to carry a laptop with me. I'm designing the spreadsheets to fit the screen in landscape mode.
Thanks also for the info about Co0kie's Home Tab. I'm going to experiment with that in a few days time when I've got a bit more time.
Cheers.