Enlarge your today screen (how to remove the bottom menu bars)

[carlosp_uk]

If you're looking to get rid of the menu bar at the bottom of the Today Screen, read on. This is not a new tip, but might save you time, as there's a lot of different versions of these programs flying around. Only the one below works on WM6 / HTC Touch.

I personally find that the Menu Bars at the bottom of the Today Screen really spoil the look of the HTC Touch's sleek black/grey theme. Besides, the Comm Manager and Contacts are both accessible via the spinning cube (or the camera button if you install Double Launcher) so there's no need to have on the Today Screen, you may as well get more space for plugins, or just to keep everything looking neat and tidy. See screenshot below!

Here's how to banish them forever (?!) :

1. Download ToggleTodayIIAlpha from this link:
http://www.vijay555.com/vj/releases/vjtoggletodayii/vjtoggletodayiialpha.exe

2. Copy it to your \Windows\Startup directory. (or somewhere else and paste a shortcut instead)

3. Go into the registry and edit this key:
HKLM/Software/Vijay555/VJTodayToggle

Change these keys:
Softkeysize = 1
StartSize = 26
TrayVisible = 1

That's it! I've had no massive problems with this so far, although I haven't been testing it for too long. I'd be interested to hear how people get on in terms of stability/bugs. You WILL get problems if you try to use any of the older VJTodayToggle programs in the thread on this forum:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=243211
(SIP keyboard staying on, SIP moving to the top of the screen, menu titles disappearing but not the background, etc.)

...in fact, that's precisely why I'm sharing this info with you, as this thread is 39 pages long and it's only towards the end that things become totally clear! I'll post again if there's any unexpected side-effects, I'm currently minimising BatteryStatus and I don't know whether this will

Good luck!


Carlos



NOTES / ADVANCED
=======================
A: If you want to make your screen even neater AND still overclock your Touch, then, in step 3 above, you can make TrayVisible=0 then you can minimise the BatteryStatus plugin and it won't show up on your today screen. (right click on batterystatus icon, choose 'show rows -> minimise') I haven't tested this properly yet.

B: If you want to explore hiding the Start Menu, feel free, it looks superb when you first do it, but then I have found that the HTC biotouch (spinning cube) automatically re-instates the start menu bar when it's deactivated each time.

C: Please note, this program ( tt2.exe) DOES NOT TOGGLE, even though it's called that! Again, it's a 39 page thread, I warned you...

D: You can also run TT2.exe with a -config option to avoid editing the registry, but this would actually make the above even more long-winded to explain to any n00bs.

E: A nice new HTC wallpaper is doing the rounds without the logo. (As you can see from my screenshot, it's mis-positioned with the extra screen space) See http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=319830

F: Vijay555 has been meaning to release a new (non-alpha) version of the software for some time, but sounds pretty busy. He seems like an all-round splendid guy though and I'd like to thank him for this software and his continued postings/programming.

[BigDede]

I have the HTC X7500 WM6 and I've been desperate to make it works.
I've been trying other version from the 40 pages thread, so I'll try this one and I will post result.

[carlosp_uk]

I have the HTC X7500 WM6 and I've been desperate to make it works.
I've been trying other version from the 40 pages thread, so I'll try this one and I will post result.

Good luck! The honest truth is that after I'd posted this, I discovered a couple of bugs that appeared in soak testing. I gave up in the end - it worked 90% but I would still occasionally get conflict, e.g. the SIP keyboard would appear at the top of the screen sometimes and only a soft reset would put it back where it was meant to be!

[BigDede]

Good luck! The honest truth is that after I'd posted this, I discovered a couple of bugs that appeared in soak testing. I gave up in the end - it worked 90% but I would still occasionally get conflict, e.g. the SIP keyboard would appear at the top of the screen sometimes and only a soft reset would put it back where it was meant to be!

Yep I confirm that, SIP keyboard is there, and sometimes as well softkeys stay there after softreset.
Well actually for me it's even worse, it's hiding the system tray (the bar just above the softkeys bar) where we can add shortcuts icons and keep the softkeys bar enabled..

Im disappointed but thks for vijay555 for all the efforts

[Marcelo Behr]

Thanks Carlos,
I've just installed and its working fine. With the clean background from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=319830 looks even better.

Cheers,
Marcelo

[carlosp_uk]

Yep I confirm that, SIP keyboard is there, and sometimes as well softkeys stay there after softreset.
Well actually for me it's even worse, it's hiding the system tray

See my original post, have you tried setting TrayVisible=1 in the registry, this should show the system tray.

[BigDede]

I followed exactly what u posted, it displayed it correctly the first time, then after soft reset it was displaying only the softkeys bar and hiding the system tray bar

Thks anyway

[maevro]

How does this look on screens BESIDES the today screen? I have used other programs on different WM phones in the past and although the bottom bar disappears on the today screen, it is still on other screens.

Also, can you use the bottom of the screen or is it just dead space? Some of us have moved the HTC Home Plug to the bottom of the page and if it is just dead space, it is going to look bad....

[carlosp_uk]

How does this look on screens BESIDES the today screen? I have used other programs on different WM phones in the past and although the bottom bar disappears on the today screen, it is still on other screens. Also, can you use the bottom of the screen or is it just dead space? Some of us have moved the HTC Home Plug to the bottom of the page and if it is just dead space, it is going to look bad....

The menu bar is visible on other screens, this behaviour is by design. I cannot see why anybody would want it invisible on other screens, as you normally need those softkeys for menus in most programs!

As far as I know you can use the bottom of the screen, it is not dead space. But why not try it out - it's unlikely to do any harm. You can always delete it from your startup directory to uninstall if you don't want it.

C

[maevro]

Well it works well so far.....(Not my screen, Neo's screen @ HoFo)

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/7773/display1ur9.png

[vijay555]

I can't remember if the TrayVisible setting even works - I think it was something I was intending to build in, but never got around to it.

Apologies... I'm kinda programming again, had lots going on, so never finished the app. Sorry for you guys having to use my unfinished piece of cr*p. I'll make it work properly one day!

http://cdbaby.name/d/a/dakah.jpg


V

[BigDede]

I can't remember if the TrayVisible setting even works - I think it was something I was intending to build in, but never got around to it.

Apologies... I'm kinda programming again, had lots going on, so never finished the app. Sorry for you guys having to use my unfinished piece of cr*p. I'll make it work properly one day!


Thks a lot vijay555

[soulstar]

HELP!!!
I installed this, but I don't know how to get into the registry from an .exe file, so I just tried to open the file through my phone, and instead it has hidden my start bar, as well as the bottom bar. How do I reverse this???

[marc2503]

Well it works well so far.....(Not my screen, Neo's screen @ HoFo)

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/7773/display1ur9.pngHow did you "move" the HTC Home plugin to the bottom part of the Today-screen without any plugin above it? I searched all over the forums, but I cannot find the answer to this question :(

--Marc

[carlosp_uk]

HELP!!!
I installed this, but I don't know how to get into the registry from an .exe file, so I just tried to open the file through my phone, and instead it has hidden my start bar, as well as the bottom bar. How do I reverse this???

Just soft reset your phone.

[NuShrike]

How did you "move" the HTC Home plugin to the bottom part of the Today-screen without any plugin above it? I searched all over the forums, but I cannot find the answer to this question :(Use the HTC Home customizer to "unlock" it. Then you can move it around like normal.

However, it doesn't redraw correctly on the right side if you unlock it, and a scrollbar comes and goes.

[voileuxcool]

i have a other solution!! PCM shrink installe it and your bar remove it s very easier! For become to the original config juste delete the programmz!!:D

[somchai15]

Hi..very nice and easy Zip File..just one problem: the toggle won't stick after a soft reset = one has to go into File Explorer..double click the Toggle File and only than the screen is "clean" again.
Any way to make the toggle "stick"?

[voileuxcool]

I have not this problem! I install the cab i going on the explorer and today shrink and clik on after i reboot my pda ans the bar not appear ... You can try put a abbreviated of today skrink in WINdows/started for star the application automatic on windows sartup

the result of the appl:

http://images2.hiboox.com/vignettes/4107/wckjy61y.jpg (http://www.hiboox.com/lang-fr/image.php?img=wckjy61y.jpg)

[polyrhythmic]

I have this running at startup on my Tilt, works with screen rotations and everything! And the hard keys are still mapped to calendar and contacts for quick access, awesome.

Many thanks, couldn't stand those useless soft keys before.

- Charles

[Streaker]

When I run TodayToggleWM5, I get a message where it says "Couldn`t find the SoftKeys"

Anyone have an idea why I get this and cant use the app?

Using S710 (WM6)

I posted the same question in the long and old thread, but that thread seemed to be dead..

NB I have tweaked the right softkey to open Task Manager, could that be a cause to the problem?

[Schooleydoo]

Old thread i know but i am also trying to remove the tray, but want to keep my start bar and sofkeys. Is this possible? If so, what registry settings do i need? Tried trial and error with 1/0 etc but no joy.

On a Kaiser with WM6.0.

[BigDede]

Try Wisbar Advance 3
Its about 10$ and it worth it. There is about 1 month trial anyway.
It does not hide only the softkeys, but it redesign your whole Pocket PC.
Its a must have SW

[neophyte.vii]

i have a other solution!! PCM shrink installe it and your bar remove it s very easier! For become to the original config juste delete the programmz!!:D

Thanks man =] Exactly what was needed

[gliljeberg]

Is there any way to change the Touchflow buttons to other programs or change there colors? I have the Sprint HTC Touch and they give you no way to add additional screens, change buttons or styles, etc.

Also on the Sprint Touch I like to use the XT9 Keyboard or the abc keyboard but at times I can not choose either it gives me a larger version of the regular keyboard and no choices to use the XT9. This usually happens on password fields etc. Any way to fource certain fields to use a different keyboard?

[BustedNuts1]

i have a other solution!! PCM shrink installe it and your bar remove it s very easier! For become to the original config juste delete the programmz!!:D


Definitely the way to go. Installed it, soft reset, and working perfectly (hope I haven't spoken too soon). There are no soft keys on the home screen, but the bottom bar shows up whenever to execute a program (like MS Word).
Great little cab.

[vijay555]

Isn't PCM Shrink my VJToggleToday anyway? I have no idea where PCM Shrink came from, but it certainly looks like the icon I put in there many years ago.

V

[kdskamal]

Isn't PCM Shrink my VJToggleToday anyway? I have no idea where PCM Shrink came from, but it certainly looks like the icon I put in there many years ago.

V

Funny that you didnt know about it. If you go to \program files\toggletoday\, you'll see the exe that you made "vjtoggletodayiialpha.exe" . It is an evolution of your app I surmise

[vijay555]

I don't think it's an "evolution". It is VJToggleToday II Alpha.
Seems slightly cheeky to me. But what do I know.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=342837#18

V

[carlosp_uk]

As the person who started this thread and a keen supporter of your development apps, Vijay555, I agree entirely.

This sort of 're-packaging' of other people's code without due credit is wholly inappopriate. It's one of the reasons that, sadly, I am always reluctant to release my source code.

C

[Lokosis]

After going through a few applications, none seemed to work. Now trying VJ's tool I've also had failure, just wondering what else is there to remove the softkeys.

What happens in my case is the soft key bar is removed, but I cannot use the extra space given to me. What happens is whenever I'm in a full screen program, upon exiting and going back to the Today screen, the bottom portion of the screen where the softkeys were has the 'residue' image of what I was just in, and thats about all I get out of it. Anyone successfully accomplish this on a recent WM 6.1 build?

[tito12]

After going through a few applications, none seemed to work. Now trying VJ's tool I've also had failure, just wondering what else is there to remove the softkeys.

What happens in my case is the soft key bar is removed, but I cannot use the extra space given to me. What happens is whenever I'm in a full screen program, upon exiting and going back to the Today screen, the bottom portion of the screen where the softkeys were has the 'residue' image of what I was just in, and thats about all I get out of it. Anyone successfully accomplish this on a recent WM 6.1 build?

Hi Lokosis
I have a small app that eliminates the softkeys bar called dcinobar.exe (I don't know who made it but thanks anyway). You place it in the startup folder - it works perfectly on my device http://forum.xda-developers.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
Just change txt extension to exe

[Lokosis]

ok, I suspect its just the ROM I'm using at the moment, as I get the same result with dcinobar as the others, the 'residue', as you can see the Windows Logo.... unless there's a known way around it.

http://usera.imagecave.com/Lokosis/Screen01.jpg

[tito12]

Sorry to hear that, as you I think it's probably the rom
Good luck

[dannyxda]

i'm going to try this, and also move the start menu bar to hte bottom..
so hopefully it'll be perfect.

btw i'd like to say 2 things. 1> VJ thanks for your work. You rock.

2> usually i don't think it's fair to repackage stuff, but this one seems to save the user
from having to manually regedit.. So i'm glad the person did it, however he should
have given VJ credit for his app and hard work.

[manosge]

thanks, i used it on a glofiish x650 ppc and it worked perfectly!! thankksssssssssssssssssssssssssss:):):):)

[backtoback]

Well,on the Omnia ii I have the following problems:
1-The top bar is also not visible in applications,only an empty bar with not x button or anything.
2-at the bottom,only when some application is on,there's a little bar with a piece of the wallpaper stuck.

I really thought I finally found it..I've been looking for a way to hide the top and bottom bars or make them invisible.

[n1nj4Lo]

Hi..very nice and easy Zip File..just one problem: the toggle won't stick after a soft reset = one has to go into File Explorer..double click the Toggle File and only than the screen is "clean" again.
Any way to make the toggle "stick"?Why not making a shortcut and adding the shortcut to Windows\StartUp ?

I'd like to also suggest dciNoBar or no2chem's nueNoBar, those two have always worked for me, sometimes I'd have both installed just incase one or the other didn't work.

[n1nj4Lo]

I swear this damn thing is like playing the lottery sometimes you get lucky and sometimes youre S.O.L.


I had to do a hard reset and now VJToggleToday, dciNoBar nor nueNoBar will remove my lower soft keys...

Anybody have any advice??? Reg tweaks.....ANYTHING To get rid of them again!