"Hide Windows Taskbar".... "doesn't work". What's the point of it if it keeps reappearing when you mouse over it?


Secondly, why doesn't the search icon work? I click on the search icon, but nothing comes up. Was hoping to just "search" for the microsoft program "paint," but clicking on search doesn't do anything whatsoever.


Right click on Nexus dock. Preferences. Then General Tab. Checking the box "Hide Widows taskbar" and hitting "apply", followed by "ok." When I move my mouse over to it's location, it simply reappears. So what's the point of "Hide Windows Taskbar"?

Look again, but this time look closely: does that look like the *Windows* taskbar to you?

That's the NextSTART replacement taskbar. You're running Winstep Xtreme - under Winstep Xtreme, the NextSTART component offers a skinnable and customizable replacement to the Windows taskbar. Open NextSTART Preferences for a way to hide that one as well.

As for the Search button not working: what version of Windows are you running? Is that Windows 10 or Windows 8.x?

Quick reply. Windows 8.1 and (eventually Windows 7)

I'll fiddle around with the settings and see where I get.

Multiple tabs with indicator number???


() This is the reason why I looked into Nexus Xtreme. Multiple tabs that shows up on the firefox icon, however, I don't remember the "setting" to get it to do the same on my Windows 7 installed Xtreme. This is crucial. I have been working with Rocketdock for a few days after I finally discovered "docks." I also like the fact that it shows how many open firefox windows there is. But I don't know what the exact settings is to get this feature on my Windows 7 machine.

Unfortunately I 'upgraded' the only Windows 8.x PC I had here to Windows 10 so I couldn't test the Search function under that version of Windows.

Essentially the Search button simulates a WIN+F (up to Windows 7) or a WIN+S (Windows 8 onwards) key press. If it's not working under Windows 8.x it's possible Windows 8.x still uses WIN+F.

What happens on your system when you press WIN+S and when you press WIN+F? If still nothing happens, it might be a localization issue: are you using the English version of Windows?

Not sure what the problem is in your case, since Winstep task management will work in exactly the same way under Windows 7 and Windows 8.x/10. Just make sure 'Group similar windows into a single icon' is enabled (WorkShelf Preferences -> Tasks -> Grouping) and that 'Display the Taskbar in Windows 7 style' is also selected for the taskbar (NextSTART Preferences -> Taskbar)

Interesting. WIN+S did absolutely nothing on Windows 8 except make a pleasant mechanical sound. WIN+F actually brought up the search function in Windows 8. Now, the search function is actually in the TILE SCREEN, not the traditional desktop screen. Maybe that makes a difference. Not sure.

On my primary computer with Windows 7, WIN+F brings up search but WIN+S does nothing. Yep, strictly English version of Windows. Not a big deal considering Windows 7 is my primary machine, but you may (or may not depending if it's worth the time and effort) want to look into it for your Window 8 customers.

Well, that pretty much explains it. I changed the code so the Search function will invoke WIN+F in Windows 8 instead of WIN+S.

So ... that means the search icon will not work in Windows 8 because I keep clicking on it and it basically does nothing on my Windows 8 machine.

That worked out well, but hoping for guidance on one added minute detail -- the indicator icon for firefox or other task. Windows 8 machine has a number; my Windows 7 machine only has a dot. Anyway to bring up the "number indicator" for Windows 7, or how would I get the number indicator going.

Windows 8 - notice firefox has a NUMBER for an indicator.


Windows 7 - notice firefox only has a DOT for an indicator.

Ok, gotcha.

I'll try to explain what is happening there:

Before v15.9, currently running applications were optionally displayed at the right side of the dock in a section that was completely independent from the normal dock shortcuts at the right.

In practice this meant that, even if you had a Firefox shortcut on the dock, a second Firefox icon would appear at the right of the dock if Firefox was currently running.

v15.9 introduced the 'Combine dock icons with running applications' feature. When this setting is enabled, if a shortcut to Firefox (using Firefox here as an example, could be any other application) already exists in the left side of the dock, then the icon does not appear in the list of running applications at the right. Instead a 'running indicator' is used below the Firefox shortcut to let the user know that that particular application is currently running. Hovering that shortcut also gives you the live window thumbnail previews, etc...

One thing it does not currently do, however, is display the number of running instances on the icon itself, as it happens with the icons on the right side of the dock. In retrospect that is, in a way, an oversight which I will try to correct for the next release.

Done for next release.

Appreciate the helpful educational responses.



The reason for these question below ultimately comes down to getting an idea for when I should purchase the current version of the product (Nexus Xtreme).


Questions pertaining to the product itself:

(A) Heaven forbid something happens to one's computer. But how do customers go about terrible situations. Once the Winstep paid version file is downloaded (I'm assuming from our email address with the activation code)... if

(1) After 1 year, if the computer breaks and s/he needs to buy a new computer, will the original winstep installation file and activation code still work on the new computer?
(2) After 1 year, if the person decides to buy a new computer and the old computer (with Winstep installed) still works, but s/he wants to use the New computer with winstep, would s/he uninstall it from the old computer and install it onto his/her new computer? or does s/he need to pay another $29.99 for the Winstep Xtreme package for her/his new computer?
(3) After 1 year, if the customer needs to reinstall his/her Windows machine because the computer is simply acting up, will the original paid Winstep installation file and activation code still work.
(4) Any other comment that pertains to this situation that you may have??


(B) What's the definition of "next release" vs. "updates" or any other terms used? (note: I was just prompted to download a new version/or update or whatever the term was just now... was this simply considered an "update" to my existing version of Nexus xtreme or was this a "next release"?

(C) How often do "next releases" occur? How often do "updates" occur? Or are they the same? "Next/New releases" are FREE for the entire year from the date you purchase the product. At 366 day, then and only then will you pay $19.99 for the new release. Is this correct?

(D) When someone buys the product, based on past history (or your current year project expectation, whatever tweaks, and ideas you guys/gals have), how often does Nexus get a "new release"? Is it possible to go an entire year without getting a "new release"?

(E) Couldn't the "number indicator" be implemented in a simple "update" as a opposed to a whole "new release"? (See post above about Firefox have number indicator

(F) Since the trial version of xtreme expires after 30 days, are my settings and my dock icons and all sound preferences completely wiped clean because the trial version will no longer function?

(G) If I was interested in the "firefox {and all other programs on the entire segment of workshelf dock} running application with the NUMBER indicator, do I just hold off on making the purchase of Nexus Xtreme for $29.99 today/this week/this month at which point my trial subscription would no longer work?


The reason for these question ultimately comes down to getting an idea for when I should purchase the current version of the product (Nexus Xtreme).




A few major reasons why I am 98% leaning towards buying Nexus Xtreme at $29.99 as opposed to continuing to use the Free Rocketdock and the $9.99 Objectdock:

In no specific order
(1) Sound scheme, and the ability to import my own customize sounds. This gives the dock personality. (Note: The exising "Collapse.wav" file plays way too short for Hide/Collapse. It goes away too abrupt for my taste. I had to customize my own "Water Splash River Flow.wav" that plays around 5-8 seconds. It slowly tapers off in volume so it transitions a little bit better. )
(2) Easy to customize my dock, drag and drop, shorter steps to customize a desired effect, "stackdocks" (i.e.sub-dock) already built into the program.
(3) System tray replacement. Completely accessible from the Nexus dock.
(4) Hide windows task bar function built in (even though objectdock has this), however, the key with Nexus and where both Rocketdock/Objectdock fails to do with all you access to everything directly from the dock.
(5) Multi running tabs (even though objectdock also has this, I tend to have a lot of Firefox windows open all the time. It could be 10 to 15 to 20 windows and all of them are accessible and clearly visible when highlighting the firefox icon pinned to the Nexus dock. This is where Rocketdock completely fails. Rocketdock still)
(6) All open files are either minimized or completely accessible from the Nexus dock/workshelf (this is correct right as shown in my picture below with a lot of multitabs/multi windows open for the same program?[/size])
(7) Nexus completely replaces the Windows taskbar (there is absolutely no need to touch the windows taskbar; everything is accessible from the Nexus dock. Is this completely true?



Nexus Multi tab when you click on a program - one of my favorite, favorite things about Nexus. It displays all your running windows.



Custom created. When my Nexus dock/workshelf autohides in the above picture this is the custom created sound I use.

Your post is too long to reply point by point, so I will try to summarize:

First and foremost, there is no such thing as 'Nexus Xtreme'.

It's either Nexus free, Nexus Ultimate or Winstep Xtreme. This Product Comparison Page should help making the distinction between the various products.

A 'release' is the same thing as an 'update/new version'.

Winstep applications are NOT tied to hardware. I absolutely despise that.

So, to install the application you purchased onto a new computer, all you need is the setup file to the full version and your license key.

This said, it is the users responsibility to keep a backup copy of the last version that will work with their license key (as well as a backup of the license key itself, of course).

Although old license keys can be forwarded to the user at any time upon request, the software itself is another story: Winstep does not archive/keep old versions around.

The license key you purchase will work with the current version and all those released within a year of the original purchase, regardless of when they are installed on your PC. In other words, as long as you have a copy of v15.9 and the license key to go with it, you can install that version on a new computer 10 years from now and your license key will still work with that version.

If you haven't already, I suggest you read Winstep Xtreme's Upgrade Policy.

As for how often do new releases occur, there is one thing you should understand first: what you are buying is the product 'as is' not 'as it will be'. Free updates for a year are simply a bonus.

If you think the product 'as is' is worth the asking price, then you should buy it, otherwise don't.

I'm saying this because Winstep is not legally - or otherwise - bound to release x updates per year. Again, look at free updates for a year as a 'bonus', because that is all it is.

And yes, even though new versions are released on average every 3 to 5 months, due to personal reasons there was once a time where no updates were released for a period of two years. When they started coming out again, I extended the free upgrades period because that was the right thing to do, not because Winstep was legally bound to do it (it isn't).

When your 30 day trial runs out, the application will simply stop working. Everything will be left as it is and nothing will be deleted unless you decide to uninstall the application.

Regarding the number indicator, the new public beta of v15.12 that was just announced elsewhere in this forums already features that ability. Just download the appropriate beta (i.e. Winstep Xtreme) and install it on top of your current Winstep Xtreme installation (i.e.; do NOT uninstall anything first).

Also, thanks for your feedback regarding your reasons to lean for Winstep Xtreme. It is well worth the money (even though I'm suspect in saying this ) and I think that with use and in time you will find plenty of other reasons too.

You're welcome. But only having a chance at it for a couple days ... need more time to find more goodies.

Any particular reason why you guys/gals don't keep the old version around. Isn't it a file that's only a few megabytes? It shouldn't take up much space right?

Keep getting confused. I'll just call it Nexus vs Winstep from now on. Anyways, I would actually be looking at Winstep, since it's the top of the line. I may consider going with the $39.99 package just to have the NextStart Pro at my disposal (even though I haven't used the NextStart much at all). My sole focus is on the dock. I haven't been playing around with NextStart quite frankly because I couldn't find it for the past 2 days after I "hid" both the Windows and Nexus taskbar. I have been clicking everywhere trying to revive it.

I discovered Wanda. I like her. A next request would be for Wanda to truly "swim" around my screen utilizing all three axis - x, y, and z or whatever it's call (3 dimensional or whatever).

I wasn't looking for guarantee releases/updates, but more along the lines of getting an idea of how Nexus/Winstep operates historically. I usually just stick with the version I initially buy, but if free updates are available for the entire year, that's certainly a bonus.

Number indicator: Cool. Got it with v15.12. Thanks. Did I already say it... I like Wanda the goldfish roaming around the bottom of my desktop screen. Will Wanda be getting a companion or environmental interactions in the future?


Don't know much about HOTSPOTS. Been searching the web (also saw some of your posted videos on youtube. Was hoping to find a more extensive video tutorial on various aspects to NExus/Winstep.)

Don't know if I should "delete" that icon in the red box. If I do, can I get it back? I left click on it and it says "EMPTY," and right click properties brings up "EDITOR." Didn't want to mess with it until I find some type of tutorial for it. Don't want to mess anything up.



Stumbled onto one of your youtube video showing the following theme. I can't find it in Winstep Xtreme at all. Is it only available in the paid version?