NOTE: You can check other interesting and useful free software created by our readers here.
Recently we posted a small tutorial on how to get Windows 7 Iconized Taskbar feature in Windows XP and Vista:
Get Windows 7 Iconized (Icon Only) Taskbar Feature in Windows XP and Vista
The above tutorial shows how you can get the iconized taskbar easily by modifying Windows registry.
And now we are very pleased to announce that our very close friend "Solo-Dev" aka "Villain" has created a very small standalone utility exclusively for AskVG.com readers which can do the same task automatically.
"Taskbar Iconizer" is a small portable tool which uses the same registry trick to provide iconized taskbar feature in XP and Vista. You just need to download the file, run it and it'll show following window:
Simply click on the right-side image which shows "Windows 7 Type Iconized" and you have done. You'll need to log off or restart the system to take affect. To restore default settings, click on the left-side image.
This article was posted by VG in following section: Software, Windows Vista, Windows XP.
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VG
^^ Use the latest SevenVG RC Theme.
hexaae
Please VG, can you help me to restore correct icons used for Vista window buttons on the taskbar? (See image I've posted in the above msg).
I can't find nothing on the net...
VG
^^ Afaik it always shows that icon. Its not a problem.
hexaae
If you (the most expert I know in this field) can't help me I'll have to restore a backup...
VG
^^ I'm not sure but you can check following tutorial:
http://www.askvg.com/how-to-fix-user-folders-showing-simple-folder-icon-in-windows-vista/
Also you can try to clear Icon Cache. Take a look at point 19:
http://www.askvg.com/frequently-asked-problems-with-solutions/
hexaae
Thank you. No, my special user folders are OK and use the correct icons, and I already tried to delete IconCache.db :(
Those icon buttons for the folders on the taskbar usually change dynamically to reflect the path you're exploring. Now all folders use the same ugly icon instead...
No idea where in the registry I can give a look?
VG
^^ The only registry key which this tool edits is mentioned in following topic:
http://www.askvg.com/get-windows-7-iconized-icon-only-taskbar-feature-in-windows-xp-and-vista/
hexaae
Yes, I've read it and I'm the first to say it's very strange it could have corrupted my registry as a collateral effect.... When I'll recover my backup I'll try again this hack and report back here if has been this the cause (= if it happens again right after this hack).
hexaae
Well, after many looong tests (HP Recovery to the original laptop defaults with nothing extra installed etc.) I have the final word about the problem: it's a Vista bug! :(
It starts with the folder buttons on the taskbar showing the correct icon for the folder you're in... at this point if you keep these folders open and start copying back and forth many files simulteneously Vista will loose this feature and will start showing the "ugly icon" for all open folders! I've done nothing to alter themes, icons and the rest. No hacks or patches. Just used it after a clean reinstall and noticed that without apparent reason it looses this feature!
Win7 Iconizer has nothing to do with it actually (as expected)...
Would be great if you could find a way to re-establish this feature and what goes wrong in the registry, cache or whatsoever after a while. Very very strange indeed....
VG
^^ Glad to know it was not due to iconizer hack. There are many such bugs in Vista which can't be fixed.