09-10-2024, 12:03 PM
Guide to Using Taskbar Groups
**Taskbar Groups** is a Windows utility that allows you to group multiple applications, files, or shortcuts into one taskbar icon. This tool helps declutter your taskbar by creating organized groups, making it easier to switch between related applications. If you often work with many open applications or files, Taskbar Groups can simplify your workflow. This guide will walk you through downloading, installing, and using Taskbar Groups to optimize your taskbar management.
Step 1: Download Taskbar Groups
To begin, you need to download Taskbar Groups from the official GitHub repository.
Steps to Download Taskbar Groups:
1. Open your web browser and visit the official Taskbar Groups GitHub page: Taskbar Groups GitHub Page.
2. Scroll down to the `Releases` section and download the latest version of Taskbar Groups.
3. Once the download is complete, navigate to your `Downloads` folder and locate the zip file.
Step 2: Install Taskbar Groups
Taskbar Groups is a portable application, so it does not require installation. You can run it directly from the extracted folder.
Steps to Install Taskbar Groups:
1. Right-click the downloaded zip file and select `Extract All` to unzip the contents.
2. Open the extracted folder and double-click `TaskbarGroups.exe` to run the program.
3. Taskbar Groups will now open, allowing you to create your first group.
Step 3: Create a New Taskbar Group
Taskbar Groups allows you to create groups of shortcuts that can be pinned to the taskbar.
Steps to Create a New Taskbar Group:
1. In the Taskbar Groups window, click `Add Taskbar Group` to start creating a new group.
2. Enter a name for the group in the `Group Name` field (e.g., "Work Tools" or "Web Browsers").
3. Choose the number of icons to display per row in the group by adjusting the `Icons per row` option.
4. Click `Change group icon` to select a custom icon for the group, or leave it as the default.
Step 4: Add Applications and Files to the Group
Now that you've created a group, you can add applications, files, and shortcuts to it.
Steps to Add Items to Your Group:
1. Click `Add new shortcut` in the group creation window.
2. Browse to the location of the application, file, or folder you want to add and select it.
3. Repeat this process for each application or file you want to include in the group.
4. Once you've added all your shortcuts, click `Save` to finalize the group.
Step 5: Pin the Group to the Taskbar
Once you've created your taskbar group, you can pin it to the Windows taskbar for easy access.
Steps to Pin the Group to the Taskbar:
1. After saving your group, go back to the Taskbar Groups main window.
2. Right-click on the group you created and select `Create shortcut on desktop`.
3. A shortcut for the group will appear on your desktop.
4. Drag this shortcut to your taskbar to pin it. Now, clicking this icon will open the group of applications or files.
Step 6: Launch Applications from the Group
Once pinned to the taskbar, you can quickly access the group and launch applications or files.
Steps to Launch Applications from a Taskbar Group:
1. Click on the taskbar group icon you pinned.
2. A small window will open, displaying the shortcuts you added to the group.
3. Click on any shortcut in the group to open the corresponding application or file.
4. You can keep this group window open for quick access to all items in the group.
Step 7: Edit or Remove a Group
You can easily edit or delete groups from Taskbar Groups to update or remove them as needed.
Steps to Edit or Remove a Taskbar Group:
1. Open the Taskbar Groups application.
2. Find the group you want to edit or delete.
3. To edit, click on the `Edit` button next to the group, then make your changes (e.g., add/remove shortcuts or change the icon).
4. To remove the group, click `Delete`. This will delete the group from Taskbar Groups but will not delete any of the files or applications.
Step 8: Customize Taskbar Group Icons
You can choose custom icons for each taskbar group to better organize your taskbar.
Steps to Customize Taskbar Group Icons:
1. In the group creation or edit window, click `Change group icon`.
2. Browse for a custom icon file (.ico) or choose from the list of default icons.
3. Select your desired icon and click `Open`.
4. Save the group, and the custom icon will now appear in the taskbar.
Step 9: Update Taskbar Groups
Taskbar Groups may release updates with new features and bug fixes. You can check for updates manually by downloading the latest version from GitHub.
Steps to Update Taskbar Groups:
1. Visit the official GitHub page: Taskbar Groups GitHub Page.
2. Download the latest version from the `Releases` section.
3. Replace the previous version’s executable file with the new one in the extracted folder.
Step 10: Uninstall Taskbar Groups (Optional)
If you decide to stop using Taskbar Groups, you can easily remove it from your system.
Steps to Uninstall Taskbar Groups:
1. Close Taskbar Groups if it’s running.
2. Delete the Taskbar Groups folder that you extracted during setup.
3. Remove any taskbar shortcuts you created by right-clicking the taskbar icon and selecting `Unpin from taskbar`.
Conclusion
Taskbar Groups is an excellent utility for organizing and decluttering your Windows taskbar. Whether you want to group work tools, web browsers, or personal applications into a single taskbar icon, Taskbar Groups simplifies navigation and helps keep your workspace tidy. By following this guide, you can install, configure, and make the most of Taskbar Groups to optimize your workflow and enhance your taskbar experience.
**Taskbar Groups** is a Windows utility that allows you to group multiple applications, files, or shortcuts into one taskbar icon. This tool helps declutter your taskbar by creating organized groups, making it easier to switch between related applications. If you often work with many open applications or files, Taskbar Groups can simplify your workflow. This guide will walk you through downloading, installing, and using Taskbar Groups to optimize your taskbar management.
Step 1: Download Taskbar Groups
To begin, you need to download Taskbar Groups from the official GitHub repository.
Steps to Download Taskbar Groups:
1. Open your web browser and visit the official Taskbar Groups GitHub page: Taskbar Groups GitHub Page.
2. Scroll down to the `Releases` section and download the latest version of Taskbar Groups.
3. Once the download is complete, navigate to your `Downloads` folder and locate the zip file.
Step 2: Install Taskbar Groups
Taskbar Groups is a portable application, so it does not require installation. You can run it directly from the extracted folder.
Steps to Install Taskbar Groups:
1. Right-click the downloaded zip file and select `Extract All` to unzip the contents.
2. Open the extracted folder and double-click `TaskbarGroups.exe` to run the program.
3. Taskbar Groups will now open, allowing you to create your first group.
Step 3: Create a New Taskbar Group
Taskbar Groups allows you to create groups of shortcuts that can be pinned to the taskbar.
Steps to Create a New Taskbar Group:
1. In the Taskbar Groups window, click `Add Taskbar Group` to start creating a new group.
2. Enter a name for the group in the `Group Name` field (e.g., "Work Tools" or "Web Browsers").
3. Choose the number of icons to display per row in the group by adjusting the `Icons per row` option.
4. Click `Change group icon` to select a custom icon for the group, or leave it as the default.
Step 4: Add Applications and Files to the Group
Now that you've created a group, you can add applications, files, and shortcuts to it.
Steps to Add Items to Your Group:
1. Click `Add new shortcut` in the group creation window.
2. Browse to the location of the application, file, or folder you want to add and select it.
3. Repeat this process for each application or file you want to include in the group.
4. Once you've added all your shortcuts, click `Save` to finalize the group.
Step 5: Pin the Group to the Taskbar
Once you've created your taskbar group, you can pin it to the Windows taskbar for easy access.
Steps to Pin the Group to the Taskbar:
1. After saving your group, go back to the Taskbar Groups main window.
2. Right-click on the group you created and select `Create shortcut on desktop`.
3. A shortcut for the group will appear on your desktop.
4. Drag this shortcut to your taskbar to pin it. Now, clicking this icon will open the group of applications or files.
Step 6: Launch Applications from the Group
Once pinned to the taskbar, you can quickly access the group and launch applications or files.
Steps to Launch Applications from a Taskbar Group:
1. Click on the taskbar group icon you pinned.
2. A small window will open, displaying the shortcuts you added to the group.
3. Click on any shortcut in the group to open the corresponding application or file.
4. You can keep this group window open for quick access to all items in the group.
Step 7: Edit or Remove a Group
You can easily edit or delete groups from Taskbar Groups to update or remove them as needed.
Steps to Edit or Remove a Taskbar Group:
1. Open the Taskbar Groups application.
2. Find the group you want to edit or delete.
3. To edit, click on the `Edit` button next to the group, then make your changes (e.g., add/remove shortcuts or change the icon).
4. To remove the group, click `Delete`. This will delete the group from Taskbar Groups but will not delete any of the files or applications.
Step 8: Customize Taskbar Group Icons
You can choose custom icons for each taskbar group to better organize your taskbar.
Steps to Customize Taskbar Group Icons:
1. In the group creation or edit window, click `Change group icon`.
2. Browse for a custom icon file (.ico) or choose from the list of default icons.
3. Select your desired icon and click `Open`.
4. Save the group, and the custom icon will now appear in the taskbar.
Step 9: Update Taskbar Groups
Taskbar Groups may release updates with new features and bug fixes. You can check for updates manually by downloading the latest version from GitHub.
Steps to Update Taskbar Groups:
1. Visit the official GitHub page: Taskbar Groups GitHub Page.
2. Download the latest version from the `Releases` section.
3. Replace the previous version’s executable file with the new one in the extracted folder.
Step 10: Uninstall Taskbar Groups (Optional)
If you decide to stop using Taskbar Groups, you can easily remove it from your system.
Steps to Uninstall Taskbar Groups:
1. Close Taskbar Groups if it’s running.
2. Delete the Taskbar Groups folder that you extracted during setup.
3. Remove any taskbar shortcuts you created by right-clicking the taskbar icon and selecting `Unpin from taskbar`.
Conclusion
Taskbar Groups is an excellent utility for organizing and decluttering your Windows taskbar. Whether you want to group work tools, web browsers, or personal applications into a single taskbar icon, Taskbar Groups simplifies navigation and helps keep your workspace tidy. By following this guide, you can install, configure, and make the most of Taskbar Groups to optimize your workflow and enhance your taskbar experience.