Hi,
I am really annoying having PortableApps Platform showing up in Windows Alt-Tab:
https://imgur.com/a/IAciqcL (I have added a smiley on the item I want to get removed)
Windows never included its Windows start menu in the Alt-Tab so why does PortableApps does that ?
I do not understand the concept behind? why do you need this ?
How to stop having PortableApps Platform in the Alt-Tab ?
I just want the PortableApps Platform to show up when I want to launch a portable app, I do not need it to stay open all the time as it is doing.
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While it is shaped as and works like a menu, it is a standard windows app, so it shows in task manager. The only way to get it not to show would be to alter the form handling. As I can't recall being asked this previously and it has been this way for the past 16 years, I don't currently have any plans to change it.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
This a strange decision, especially as PortableApps Platform already has a system tray icon. Most tools use the system tray icon as a menu, this is also how PortableApps Platform should work.
In the current situation, you have to do Alt-Tab to launch a new application: I have never seen something like this.
Can I at least automatically close the PortableApps Platform once I have launched an app within PortableApps ?
Which option can I modify for this?
When you say close, what are you referring to? The menu window closes automatically when it loses focus. Were you wanting to hide it from the taskbar? You can do this with a setting in Options - Advanced.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
After starting the portable apps I want, I want PortableApps platform to close so that:
- it is no longer in Alt-Tab
- And it is no longer in the taskbar
Did you try the option in Advanced to hide the taskbar icon? That setting prevents the PAc Menu from showing up in the list when minimized.
On both of my systems (Win10 and Win11) I don't have the PortableApps platform in my open apps list (Alt-Tab) any other time than when it is purposely opened. I have to click the icon in the info area or the menu's shortcut and than hit Alt-Tab to see it there. I don't do this normally, it was the first time in the last 10 years and just to check.
When a portable app is lauchend, the menu is closed and does not show up in the open apps list. The same happens, when I hit Alt-Tab twice, because the menu auto closes.
Can you verify, if "Keep menu visible after atarting apps" is unchecked? That should be the only official setting, that prevents the menu from closing.
If you're using few apps, you may pin them to your taskbar and avoid using the platform at all (except for updates etc.).
There is another way to pin to Start Menu (that I've tested once), maybe it will solve your problem.
https://i.imgur.com/ORr6alN.png
'Joy is ephemeral, live it before realizing the truth'
― Neo Buddha ―
"Pin to task" is not feasible given the number of Portable apps I have, for "Pin to start", how do you notice in the start menu that this app is actually a portable apps?
You may organize all your portable apps within a unique folder (or several subfolders) inside your Start Menu¹.. Also Portable apps look different since they should be named Thingy Portable.
¹ I don't remember how does it look or work, because I've tested it once, while translating the new feature.
'Joy is ephemeral, live it before realizing the truth'
― Neo Buddha ―
> C:\Users\chris\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu> ¹ I don't remember how does it look or work, because I've tested it once, while translating the new feature.
I have looked how it works: when you add it to Start menu, PortableApps is adding a shortcut into "C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs" instead. The thing is that all portable are in the same folder this helps for maintenance.
I am suprised it is not inside "C:\Users\chris\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"
I've tested pinning (to Start Menu) shortcuts of two different apps: LibreOffice and MKVToolnix. Then I've moved them to a subfolder, still working like a charm!
What do you mean?
'Joy is ephemeral, live it before realizing the truth'
― Neo Buddha ―
Sorry, I have seen that pas paste was not properly done. I have corrected my previous post.
All programs are usually inside "C:\Users\chris\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs", in 'Programs' are all the application.
Anyway, just reread the Depp.Jones's answer. It looks like what you're exactly asking for.
PS. Don't forget to add [Solved] to the threaad's titlee.
'Joy is ephemeral, live it before realizing the truth'
― Neo Buddha ―
It is actually possible to avoid being in Alt+Tab, Ditto, which is another opensource project is doing this for its clipboard history.