Modify the standard DX right click context menu...
Is it possible?
Thursday, February 8, 2007 by Ronan H | Discussion: DesktopX
I'm talking about the standard menu that pops up when you right click on the desktop, away from any objects etc... I really don't like the menu and from what I've read in another post, the ability to get rid of it no longer exists so I'm wondering if its possible to customize it at all? Its really bugging me, it takes away from the themes i think...
Ta.
Ronan
Ta.
Ronan
ZubaZ
Reply #2 Sunday, February 18, 2007 3:53 PM
Reply #2 Sunday, February 18, 2007 3:53 PM
I know that RomanDa has a number of objects that he's made that have the same menu if you right click or left click. You might check there or ask for it in his "What do you want in a tutorial" thread.
RomanDA
Reply #3 Sunday, February 18, 2007 5:33 PM
Reply #3 Sunday, February 18, 2007 5:33 PM
do you mean when you CLICK/RIGHT-CLICK on the DX object? or just on the desktop?
thomassen
Reply #4 Sunday, February 18, 2007 6:21 PM
Was that feature in there at all?
Reply #4 Sunday, February 18, 2007 6:21 PM
I'm talking about the standard menu that pops up when you right click on the desktop, away from any objects etc... I really don't like the menu and from what I've read in another post, the ability to get rid of it no longer exists
Was that feature in there at all?
SirSmiley
Reply #5 Sunday, February 18, 2007 11:21 PM
Reply #5 Sunday, February 18, 2007 11:21 PM
Sounds like you're referring to the standard context menu?
That capability never existed in DesktopX to my knowledge. Maybe RightClick (Part of Object Desktop) is what you want?
That capability never existed in DesktopX to my knowledge. Maybe RightClick (Part of Object Desktop) is what you want?
Ronan H
Reply #6 Monday, February 19, 2007 7:47 AM
Heres a screenshot:
On the left you will see the context menu that i am talking about. I have clicked in the dark blue area of the screen just at the top left corner of the menu, which is away from all objects. That is the menu that i don't like. I was wondering if it could be gotten rid of or modified in any way? I am aware of RightClick but i was hoping not to have to load another application just to get rid of one feature in another application.
Thanks for the help so far, i hope this post is clearer...
Ronan
Reply #6 Monday, February 19, 2007 7:47 AM
I'm talking about the standard menu that pops up when you right click on the desktop, away from any objects etc...
Heres a screenshot:
On the left you will see the context menu that i am talking about. I have clicked in the dark blue area of the screen just at the top left corner of the menu, which is away from all objects. That is the menu that i don't like. I was wondering if it could be gotten rid of or modified in any way? I am aware of RightClick but i was hoping not to have to load another application just to get rid of one feature in another application.
Thanks for the help so far, i hope this post is clearer...
Ronan
ZubaZ
Reply #7 Monday, February 19, 2007 8:29 AM
Reply #7 Monday, February 19, 2007 8:29 AM
Much clearer! Thanks.
You are using a DX desktop. That makes a huge difference!
What theme is that?
You are using a DX desktop. That makes a huge difference!
What theme is that?
ZubaZ
Reply #8 Monday, February 19, 2007 8:59 AM
Reply #8 Monday, February 19, 2007 8:59 AM
Hmmm .. I don't see where in the documentation or settings where that turns off.
Will continue to look, but I'm not hopeful.
Will continue to look, but I'm not hopeful.
Ronan H
Reply #9 Monday, February 19, 2007 9:00 AM
Reply #9 Monday, February 19, 2007 9:00 AM
@ Zubaz: Its a DX theme im working on myself, my first one ever, which i now realise i have accidentally revealed to the world 
Ah well...
Its in its early stages, any first impressions?
Also i now realise that i didn't specify very clearly that i was using a DX desktop as opposed to the standard Windows desktop, duh to me!
Ro
Ah well...
Its in its early stages, any first impressions?
Also i now realise that i didn't specify very clearly that i was using a DX desktop as opposed to the standard Windows desktop, duh to me!
Ro
thomassen
Reply #10 Wednesday, February 21, 2007 11:07 AM
Reply #10 Wednesday, February 21, 2007 11:07 AM
I don't get such an menu when I run DesktopX... What am I missing?
Ronan H
Reply #11 Wednesday, February 21, 2007 12:03 PM
Reply #11 Wednesday, February 21, 2007 12:03 PM
@ thomassen: Im beginning think that some other people dont get that menu popping up either because a few people seem to have no clue what i was talking about (i brought it up in another thread also)... Hmmm...this is a bit strange...
It happens for me whether i am in Builder or Client mode...
I must look into that further...
R
It happens for me whether i am in Builder or Client mode...
I must look into that further...
R
ZubaZ
Reply #12 Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:50 PM
Reply #12 Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:50 PM
thomassen, are you loading a DX desktop? That's the key to getting this menu.
As a workaround Ro, you could export the parts of the desktop you want as objects, then load each object without the desktop.
As a workaround Ro, you could export the parts of the desktop you want as objects, then load each object without the desktop.
Ronan H
Reply #13 Wednesday, February 21, 2007 5:13 PM
Reply #13 Wednesday, February 21, 2007 5:13 PM
@ Zubaz: Thats true, i hadn't thought of that, probably due to my nooooobiness at DX 
.
I suppose in the grander scheme of things its hardly the biggest deal in the world, but i am very particular about small details so it was bugging me a wee bit...
As suggested by RomanDA, i might try and load up RightClick again and see if that overrides the default DX menu that appears when the user right clicks, then at least i will be able to customize it as i please, albeit having to load up a separate application just to do so. But i guess in some cases the end justifies the means, hopefully that will be the case here too when i rekindle my relationship with RightClick
.
I still do think however that considering the website these very words are being hosted on, it does seem a bit limiting to have a menu that cannot be WinCustomized in any way or deactivated. Im sure i am not the only one that dislikes the menu? It really takes away from the GUI of a slick DX Theme when you right click and this unpleasant little menu pops up, which as far as i can see doesnt inherit your existing WB skin or any other aspects so it looks quite out of place at the best of times... I definitely think it should be an optional feature, or at least a customizable one, in further releases of DX...
Hah! Funny thing just happened, i was just about to refer to a thread i read recently about the same issue where someone said that the ability to disable the right click thing was removed from DX in an earlier version, and hey presto, its yourself Zubaz who uttered the very words! What a coincidence eh? Now THATS a feature i would like to see re-introduced...
*** steps down off soapbox with a grin ***
Ro
PS: Heres the thread by the way.
.I suppose in the grander scheme of things its hardly the biggest deal in the world, but i am very particular about small details so it was bugging me a wee bit...
As suggested by RomanDA, i might try and load up RightClick again and see if that overrides the default DX menu that appears when the user right clicks, then at least i will be able to customize it as i please, albeit having to load up a separate application just to do so. But i guess in some cases the end justifies the means, hopefully that will be the case here too when i rekindle my relationship with RightClick
.I still do think however that considering the website these very words are being hosted on, it does seem a bit limiting to have a menu that cannot be WinCustomized in any way or deactivated. Im sure i am not the only one that dislikes the menu? It really takes away from the GUI of a slick DX Theme when you right click and this unpleasant little menu pops up, which as far as i can see doesnt inherit your existing WB skin or any other aspects so it looks quite out of place at the best of times... I definitely think it should be an optional feature, or at least a customizable one, in further releases of DX...
Hah! Funny thing just happened, i was just about to refer to a thread i read recently about the same issue where someone said that the ability to disable the right click thing was removed from DX in an earlier version, and hey presto, its yourself Zubaz who uttered the very words! What a coincidence eh? Now THATS a feature i would like to see re-introduced...
*** steps down off soapbox with a grin ***
Ro
PS: Heres the thread by the way.
Bichur
Reply #14 Wednesday, February 21, 2007 7:19 PM
I like it. kinda reminds me of Phoon's SSDDDX - but different.
Reply #14 Wednesday, February 21, 2007 7:19 PM
Its in its early stages, any first impressions?
I like it. kinda reminds me of Phoon's SSDDDX - but different.
BigDogBigFeet
Reply #15 Wednesday, February 21, 2007 8:30 PM
Reply #15 Wednesday, February 21, 2007 8:30 PM
The right click menu in question loads automatically under the following conditions you have a DX theme loaded and you have the standard windows desktop icons disabled(not visible). I don't know of anyway to modify it. But if you have the standard windows icons visible it won't load so that tells me there is a way to disable it and it may be possible to disable it in a script.
thomassen
Reply #16 Thursday, February 22, 2007 5:23 AM
Aha! You see, I have always had the icons visible.
BUT! It turned the desktop background black! Vista RTM, DX Pro.
Reply #16 Thursday, February 22, 2007 5:23 AM
The right click menu in question loads automatically under the following conditions you have a DX theme loaded and you have the standard windows desktop icons disabled(not visible). I don't know of anyway to modify it. But if you have the standard windows icons visible it won't load so that tells me there is a way to disable it and it may be possible to disable it in a script.
Aha! You see, I have always had the icons visible.
BUT! It turned the desktop background black! Vista RTM, DX Pro.
Ronan H
Reply #17 Thursday, February 22, 2007 9:10 AM
Now were getting somewhere! Well observed big footed dog 
.
That is indeed the case. Under those circumstances its the standard Windows desktop right click menu that appears, which is at least a small improvement from the DX right click menu. At least it inherits the WB skin... Now im going to experiment with a combination of all of the above and throw the RightClick application in the mix and see if i can get a result that i am happy with! Ill be back...
Ro
Update: OK, so heres my findings. In short, RightClick seems to have saved the day. I loaded it and tested it with desktop icons both hidden and visible, and in either case (regardless of if you are in DX Client or DX Builder mode) when you click on a section of the screen NOT occupied by DX objects, widgets etc... as per the diagram posted earlier in the thread, the Stardock RC menu over-rides the ugly DX right click menu. Therefore i can fully customize it to my liking, it will inherit my WB skin, and my issue is solved.
This of course i am chuffed with. However, it doesnt take away from the fact that now i have an extra program loaded in memory in order to solve the problem. Luckily RightClick is a small app and doesn't take up much memory, but its the principle of the matter that im trying to get across, the fact that the right click menu in DX is not customizable in any way, and if a user really doesnt like it they will have to load an extra program to get rid of it. Had RightClick been a CPU intensive application this wouldnt have been a viable workaround, so again i think it should be a feature of future DX releases that the menu can in some way be either customized or disabled at the users preference. I doubt that this would be a big deal, probably just a small piece of code i would think...
Anyway, thanks to you all for helping me out, this is what i love about WinCustomize, people share their experiences and inevitably you can find a solution, get to know a few people and everyone goes away smiling! Knowledge is power, sharing knowledge is powerful!
Ro
Image Update: Check out the new screenshot with lovely foxy RightClick menu:
Ro
Reply #17 Thursday, February 22, 2007 9:10 AM
The right click menu in question loads automatically under the following conditions you have a DX theme loaded and you have the standard windows desktop icons disabled(not visible).
Now were getting somewhere! Well observed big footed dog 
.That is indeed the case. Under those circumstances its the standard Windows desktop right click menu that appears, which is at least a small improvement from the DX right click menu. At least it inherits the WB skin... Now im going to experiment with a combination of all of the above and throw the RightClick application in the mix and see if i can get a result that i am happy with! Ill be back...
Ro
Update: OK, so heres my findings. In short, RightClick seems to have saved the day. I loaded it and tested it with desktop icons both hidden and visible, and in either case (regardless of if you are in DX Client or DX Builder mode) when you click on a section of the screen NOT occupied by DX objects, widgets etc... as per the diagram posted earlier in the thread, the Stardock RC menu over-rides the ugly DX right click menu. Therefore i can fully customize it to my liking, it will inherit my WB skin, and my issue is solved.
This of course i am chuffed with. However, it doesnt take away from the fact that now i have an extra program loaded in memory in order to solve the problem. Luckily RightClick is a small app and doesn't take up much memory, but its the principle of the matter that im trying to get across, the fact that the right click menu in DX is not customizable in any way, and if a user really doesnt like it they will have to load an extra program to get rid of it. Had RightClick been a CPU intensive application this wouldnt have been a viable workaround, so again i think it should be a feature of future DX releases that the menu can in some way be either customized or disabled at the users preference. I doubt that this would be a big deal, probably just a small piece of code i would think...
Anyway, thanks to you all for helping me out, this is what i love about WinCustomize, people share their experiences and inevitably you can find a solution, get to know a few people and everyone goes away smiling! Knowledge is power, sharing knowledge is powerful!
Ro
Image Update: Check out the new screenshot with lovely foxy RightClick menu:
Ro
Bichur
Reply #18 Thursday, February 22, 2007 12:54 PM
Is this disabled via DTX or via standard right click, uncheck show desktop icons?
Just curious, not at home to try - did notice last night running a them I didn't get the right click menu and I don't have the desktop icons showing, but they are disable via the standard right click destktop.... not via DTX - but I spent most of the time right clicking various stuff in client and builder trying to figure out how to get the menu back - didn't even think about the desktop icons being a factor
Reply #18 Thursday, February 22, 2007 12:54 PM
The right click menu in question loads automatically under the following conditions you have a DX theme loaded and you have the standard windows desktop icons disabled(not visible).
Is this disabled via DTX or via standard right click, uncheck show desktop icons?
Just curious, not at home to try - did notice last night running a them I didn't get the right click menu and I don't have the desktop icons showing, but they are disable via the standard right click destktop.... not via DTX - but I spent most of the time right clicking various stuff in client and builder trying to figure out how to get the menu back - didn't even think about the desktop icons being a factor
Ronan H
Reply #19 Thursday, February 22, 2007 2:08 PM
Flick into DX Builder mode,
right click system tray icon,
click on "Configure DesktopX Builder",
click the "Desktop" tab and on that screen you should have check boxes to enable / disable desktop icons and taskbar...
From what you said Bichur it seems strange that the menu disappeared, if only i could have made that happen on my machine, that would have solved all my woes if it would just go away
.
Nice avatar by the way!
Ro
Reply #19 Thursday, February 22, 2007 2:08 PM
The right click menu in question loads automatically under the following conditions you have a DX theme loaded and you have the standard windows desktop icons disabled(not visible).
Is this disabled via DTX or via standard right click, uncheck show desktop icons?
Is this disabled via DTX or via standard right click, uncheck show desktop icons?
Flick into DX Builder mode,
right click system tray icon,
click on "Configure DesktopX Builder",
click the "Desktop" tab and on that screen you should have check boxes to enable / disable desktop icons and taskbar...
From what you said Bichur it seems strange that the menu disappeared, if only i could have made that happen on my machine, that would have solved all my woes if it would just go away
.Nice avatar by the way!
Ro
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Reply #1 Sunday, February 18, 2007 2:25 PM