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jaddorf
jaddorf
Join Date 05/2013
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Suggestion - Start11 capture text typed to desktop - meaning no window has focus

November 9, 2021 2:19:58 PM from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Just an idea:  it would be cool if Start11 captured keyboard entries typed when no window has focus (meaning keystrokes just typed at the "Desktop"), and processed those keystrokes as if they were entered into the Start 11 Start Menu "search programs and files" box.

Right now those keystrokes just result in a windows error sound and go into the bitbucket.

 

Thanks!!

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jaddorf
Plll6DiabloPower
Join Date 11/2012
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Reply #1 November 9, 2021 2:56:46 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Actually that is an realy bad idea!

If you type at your desktop, you should highlight the next viable icon for your typing. If Start11 is catching that input, it would disturp normal usage of the whole desktop environment. (maybe it would disturp much more then only Desktop usage itself)

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jaddorf
jaddorf
Join Date 05/2013
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Reply #2 November 9, 2021 6:27:16 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

I don't understand your comment at all.

When focus is on the desktop itself, typed characters go nowhere.  I don't understand what you mean by "..should highlight the next viable icon for your typing."  

The characters go nowhere, do nothing.

Click on a blank spot on your windows desktop then start typing characters -- if you have sound enabled you'll get a windows error sound (on my system it's called "windows background.wav") and that's it, the characters otherwise have no effect.

Thanks/jim

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jaddorf
Plll6DiabloPower
Join Date 11/2012
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Reply #3 November 10, 2021 1:34:29 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

This only happens if you do not have a viable Icon at your Desktop, or no Icons at all (Desktop --> Right Click --> View --> Show Desktop Icons).

The Windows internal search always catchs your keystrokes and trys to find an Item with the letter you pressed. 

 

At Desktoplevel it works like the folloing example:

Lets say you only have "recycle bin" at your Desktop. If you type the letter "R" it will highlight "recycle bin", if you typ "RE" fast enought it will do the same. You can do the same in the whole Windows Explorer Environment (the Desktop is part of that)

The Windows Desktop works that way since Windows 95 up to Windows 11.

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jaddorf
jaddorf
Join Date 05/2013
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Reply #4 November 10, 2021 1:41:31 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Thanks for clarifying - at least I now understand the concern.

So typing at the desktop highlights an icon - I've been in I.T. for literally 40 years - I retired after 20 years as "the" computer repairman in a small city - and I don't think I've really noticed that until you pointed it out.

Not sure if many users take advantage of this to select icons.  I still think my suggestion is a good one.  You don't have to agree, which is why these things are set up as options -- like it, turn it on, don't ...

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