Part 1 of 3.
Part 2 of 3.
Part 3 of 3.
(The forum does not support the "spoiler" tag, so a lot of text, sorry.)
Index:- 0. Preface
- 1. Notes and Links
1.1 Notes
1.2 Links to some previous posts
1.3 Links to "helper" programs
1.4 Links to tool websites
- (In Part 2 of 3)
- 2. Preparations
2.1 Downloading and installing the tools used in the menu
- (In Part 3 of 3)
- 3. User Variables
- 4. Icons
- 5. Shared Menu and shortcut
- 6. Final Notes
0. PREFACE:
Trying something new here....not my usual TOOL-post.
These posts are very long (and possibly somewhat complicated?), and assumes that downloading and "installing" portable software, using
QAP User Variables and
QAP Shared Menus, are known topics.
The goal is to describe how to set up a replacement for the default Win+X menu in Windows by using a Shared Menu in QAP.
This menu is one I use every day, it covers only technical tools for IT-geeks like myself.
Estimated time to get everything up and running: maybe 30-60 minutes (download time not included)?
1. NOTES AND LINKS
1.1 Notes
Note 1: A Warning
Several of the tools in this menu, while safe as such (I've been using them for a long time), can potentially wreak havoc on your system if used incorrectly.
I take no responsibility if your PC explodes, if used incorrectly some of these tools will make you
LOOSE DATA!
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Note 2: Elevation
Several of the tools in this menu requires elevation to administrator.
Note 3: Operating systems
All of the tools runs on Windows 10 x64 (21H1 as of this writing). They are not fully tested on Windows Server Desktop/Core 2016 and 2019.
They are not tested on other versions of Windows.
1.2 Links to some previous posts
[TOOLS] WSCC by KLS Soft
[TOOLS] FullEventLogView by NirSoft
[TOOLS] FolderChangesView by NirSoft
[TOOLS] OpenedFilesView by NirSoft
[TOOLS-WIN] TaskKill (terminate any process)
[TOOLS-WIN] TaskList (quickly find the PID)
[TIP] Quick jump to settings with the ms-settings command
[TIP] Quick jump to special folders with the shell: command
1.3 Links to "helper" programs
WSCC (Windows System Control Center)
WSCC is used for downloading and keeping up to date the software suites from Windows Sysinternals (Microsoft), NirSoft and MiTeC.
WARNING!
When downloading the tools from NirSoft your anti-malware software will trigger on "IEHistoryView" and "ProduKey", and most likely on "Adapter Watch".
These are classified as "PUPs" (Potentially Unwanted Programs) by among others, Microsoft Defender.
Deselect them before downloading the NirSoft suite (see part 2) if you are not comfortable with making an exception rule in your anti-malware or downloading "dangerous" software.
(They are not used in the Win+X menu).
PAF (PortableApps.com)
PAF is used for downloading and keeping up to date a lot of different portable software.
In the Win+X menu, only one is used, HWiNFO 32+64 Portable. Use PAF or download this manually, your choice.
I use PAF, and assume that HWiNFO 32+64 Portable is installed with PAF.
1.4 Links to tool websites
The Windows Sysinternals website
The NirSoft website
The MiTeC website
HWiNFO 32+64 Portable at PAF (direct link)
End of part 1.
Regards,
joeNOR