System Tray Shortcuts - Windows

The Efficiency of Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows

While the mouse has significantly enhanced the user experience of personal computers, enabling a graphical and intuitive interface, productivity can often be maximized by minimizing its use.

Many users find they can operate more swiftly and with greater efficiency by keeping their hands primarily on the keyboard, rather than repeatedly switching between the mouse and keyboard.

For instance, tasks like selecting and copying multiple text segments are frequently completed faster – and with less strain – utilizing key combinations such as arrow keys with Shift and Ctrl+C, compared to relying on mouse actions.

Streamlining Access with SE-TrayMenu

Similarly, accessing frequently used files and applications can be expedited by employing shortcuts, bypassing the need to navigate through the Start Menu or Windows Explorer.

SE-TrayMenu, though currently unavailable, offered a solution to this challenge by allowing users to place their preferred applications and files directly within the Windows System Tray.

This provided immediate access, and the functionality could be further enhanced by assigning specific shortcut keys for even more rapid launching.

The core concept revolves around reducing the time spent searching for essential tools, thereby boosting overall workflow efficiency.

Ultimately, leveraging keyboard shortcuts and tools like SE-TrayMenu aimed to create a more fluid and productive computing experience.

A Compact Utility: SE-TrayMenu

SE-TrayMenu functions as both a standard Windows application and a portable program. The compressed portable version requires a download size of only slightly over 100KB, despite its ability to significantly streamline your computer usage. This lightweight application operates discreetly within the system tray, displaying a list of applications when the tray icon is hovered over.

Selecting an item from the list allows for its rapid launch.

Exploring the Settings

The true capabilities of this tool are found within the "Settings" menu, accessible by right-clicking the tray icon.

Within the settings, you’ll find "Main Settings" offering typical options, such as the ability to automatically start the application upon Windows boot.

Furthermore, quick access is provided to Layout options.

Color themes are also customizable.

A more detailed examination of these features will follow shortly.

Managing Applications

The core functionality resides in the "Applications" tab. Here, you can add, remove, and modify the applications and files accessible from the system tray.

The "Add" button presents three methods for inclusion: adding executable files individually, incorporating frequently used applications, and importing items directly from the Start Menu.

While the initial option is designed for applications, it can be adapted to include all file types – documents, multimedia, and more. Simply select "All Files" from the "Files of type" drop-down menu to broaden the selection.

Utilizing the second and third options presents an extensive checklist of applications. Adding items is achieved by simply checking the corresponding boxes.

Customizing Shortcuts

To assign shortcuts for launching applications, choose an application from the list and click the "Edit" button. You can either select a pre-defined shortcut from the "Shortcuts" drop-down list or create a custom key combination.

Once the settings are saved and the "Settings" window is closed, your chosen files and applications can be opened using the assigned shortcut keys. Should you forget a combination, hovering over the tray icon and clicking the desired item will launch it.

Enhancing the Visual Appeal

To further improve your experience with SE-TrayMenu, consider customizing its appearance. This can be achieved through adjustments to the Layout and Theme settings.

While quick modification options are available within the "Main Settings" tab, a dedicated menu provides more granular control over these visual elements.

Layout Customization

The "Layout" tab empowers users to define the structure of the application list. Parameters such as the number of columns, image dimensions, margins, and spacing can all be adjusted to suit individual preferences.