I'm still evaluating whether Winstep improves my computer use. So far, I'm pleasantly overwhelmed with the plethora of choices.

One thing I miss and suspect that I may be overlooking: Windows 7 helpfully combines the features of a task list and launch bar. That is, clicking on a task in the task list launches a new instance of the related task.

I use this feature a great deal, mostly for launching new instances of a browser. Is there some way to configure a Winstep dock to behave in this way?

Thanks for any help!

Cheers,

What Winstep product do you have? Unless I'm misinterpreting what you're trying to achieve, Winstep Xtreme definitely does that. I'm not sure if the free versions and the other Winstep products do that or not.

See this thread. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4530 Make sure to check out the video. Even though I didn't launch any of the icons in the video, it's still informative.

All you have to do is click on the browser icon that you drag and drop on the dock and it will launch a new instance each time.

Windy, thanks for your reply. I apologize for the scanty information. I'm evaluating Winstep Xtreme, so the information you kindly provided should be fully applicable.

Cheers,

Windy, I've reviewed the video and think that I must be unclear. As far as I can tell, the component I'm referring to as the "task list" is the five icons in the lower left of the screen, which indicates the currently running tasks. How is it possible to specify that these icons launch the related program when clicked?

Thanks again for your help.

Cheers,

As far as I know the dock doesn't support running programs. As I stated earlier, it only launches new instances of whatever program or folders you drag and drop on the dock.

To change an icon or find it's location, simply right-click on it and left-click on Dock Entry Properties.

NOTE: It's MUCH easier to drag and drop to the dock. You can do it from the Desktop for folders such (My) Documents, (My) Computer and other parent folders or programs that can be sent to the Desktop.

For external hard drives, open (My) Computer and drag and drop the one you want to the dock.

WBMCCARTY, has this solution worked out for you or did you find some other workaround? Sometimes there are ways to do things that most aren't aware of. Case in point, viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4717

In particular, look at the very end of the post where the OP came up with a workaround for their problem. Of course, the whole thread should provide some insight to other features/functions of Xtreme.

Of course, Jorge will be able to provide a much more definitive answer about your inquiry than I can.

[quote=For external hard drives, open (My) Computer and drag and drop the one you want to the dock.[/quote]

Clarification for I"m foggy this morning.

I have various flash (thumb) drives and two My Books.

If I understand what you said, I can link each of them to a dock or sub-dock?

Just need to have them plugged into the tower before clicking.

Wouldn't think they'd have to be "all data" though mine are.

Thanks.

Under Winstep task list and items are currently *NOT* combined. Adding a choice to do this is also high in the to-do list (although there are some issues that need to be solved first, since, unlike with the Windows taskbar, in Winstep applications you can specify what left, middle and right clicking do for running tasks (WorkShelf Preferences -> Tasks -> Advanced -> Tasklist Actions).

This said, you can already make shortcuts in a dock give focus to an existing running session of that application instead of launching a new session by opening the Dock Properties dialog, going to the Behavior tab, then enabling 'Do not launch multiple sessions'.

Thanks, Jorge, for your confirmation of my impression. I really do want to launch a new instance when a tasks's icon is clicked so the workaround doesn't help me. However, I wouldn't want to make that sound like a negative evaluation. Winstep DOES DO so many other things that the omission isn't all that significant in my mind. I do, OTOH, look forward to a potential new release including that feature.

Cheers,