Create a custom launcher using a Windows 7 jumplist
Windows 7′s jumplists have a lot of untapped potential. Very few applications are taking advantage of them yet, though that’s sure to change once the RTM has dropped.
One slick use I discovered (thanks to Shell Extension City) is Hedgehog’s Jumplist Launcher. The free program allows you to create a customized menu with links to your favorite applications and folders which you can access by right-clicking the launcher’s icon. It’s a Windows 7 take on adding a new toolbar to your taskbar and creating custom shortcut folders.
Launch the app and pin it to your taskbar, and start building your list. Now, it’s a little rough around the edges, so don’t expect a totally hassle-free experience. Create a group (games, apps, etc.) and then add shortcuts – I found it easiest to drag and drop them from an Explorer window. Folders can also be added, though you can already pin them to your Explorer icon.
Back to the “rough around the edges” bit. Sometimes when you add a new app, several of your icons will change. Also, its interface is still in a half-German, half-English state. If that’s offputting to you, wait for the next release.
Icons aren’t all that important to me and I was able to deal with the language mix with no real trouble, so I think I’ll keep Jumplist Launcher around and play with it some more.
YouTube clip after the break, for those of you who want to see it in action!
