Windows 10
Customise Windows
November 2019 | |^53
increase the time from five seconds right up to
300 seconds (five minutes). Alternatively, you
can disable them completely (check Disable
To as t N otific ations).26
Replace your Taskbar
The Windows 10 Taskbar is efficient,
but not exactly visually pleasing. Fans of the
macOS dock should examine the free version
of WinStep Nexus (www.winstep.net), which
combines a more eye-catching aesthetic
with functionality that renders the Taskbar
redundant. Not only does it include all the
expected features – drag and drop shortcuts
fromyourStartmenuordesktoptoaddthemto the dock – but you can also add modules
such as an email checker and a weather
forecast gadget.27
Tweak the entire
Alt-Tab menu
It may not be as glamorous as the new
Timeline, but the [Alt] + [Tab] feature is
still the quickest way to switch between
open apps and windows on your PC. Tweak
its looks courtesy of Winaero Tweaker:
Navigate to Appearance > Alt + Tab
Appearance, where you’ll find sliders to adjust
its transparency, plus make the desktop darker
whenit’sinvoked.28
Minimalist Alt-Tab
You’ll also see an option to Enable
Classic Alt + Tab Dialog – check this, then click
Restart Explorer to replace the thumbnails
with a minimalist icon-based task switcher,
with the currently selected icon’s window title
displayed beneath it to help you navigate.29
Multi-display settings
If you have two monitors, head over to
the Taskbar settings, where you’ll see options
for configuring the Taskbar independently on
each display – we recommend Taskbar Where
Window is Open on the Show Taskbar Buttons
Ondrop-downmenu,toavoidconfusion.30 Launch programs quickly
A Getting started
Download Launchy from http://www.launchy.
net – you can either install it or run it on
demand as a portable app. Once
Launchy has, er, launched, it sits
XQREWUXVLYHO\LQWKH7DVNEDUQRWLÀFDWLRQ
area. To bring it into focus, press [Alt] +
[Space], then start typing the name of
what you’re looking for.B Search and select
An icon representing a program pops
up – if it’s the correct one, press Enter.
Wait a few seconds, and more
matching results – including web links- appear via a drop-down menu. Click
one or use the arrow keys to scroll
through the list, pressing Enter when
\RXÀQG\RXUPDWFK
C Widen Launchy’s remit
RLJKWFOLFNWKH/DXQFK\QRWLÀFDWLRQ
area icon and choose the Options
> Catalog tab. Click ‘+’ under
Directories to add additional folders
to include, then with the directory
selected, click ‘+’ under File Types to
list ÀOHW\SHVWRVHDUFK)LQDOO\FOLFN
Rescan Catalog.Adjust the time notifications appear (or disable them) using Ultimate Windows Tweaker.