Copyright: MSI TrayManager - Version 1.0


MSI TrayMinimizer Help
MSI TrayManager Help

MSI TrayManager is a simple application to help manage icons in the system tray for most all Windows applications.

Most Windows applications minimize to the taskbar.  While this works, when multiple applications are running, the taskbar can get pretty busy with space used for each minimized application.  MSI TrayManager can change that and instead place an icon in the system tray for each minimized application.  You can then use that icon to restore the program, saving space on the taskbar for applications in desktop display.

The process of creating a tray icon (if the application does not already support this) is automatic.  For applications that do not create their own tray icon, the user can choose what icon is used.

Applications that have their own tray icon can have their tray icons hidden.  Hiding common system tray icons can further simply what is displayed in the normal visible tray.

Additional information about MSI TrayManager is available from the Help topics below.

Basic Operation

Primary Options

Options for Managed Windows Applications

MSI TrayManager is a shareware application from Mountain Systems, Copyright 2006 (all rights reserved).  More information is available on the MSI Internet Web site at:

www.mtnsys.com


MSI TrayMinimizer Operation
MSI TrayManager Operation

When MSI TrayManager starts, it normally locates any existing running applications that are already minimized, removes each from the taskbar, and creates an icon in the system tray.

The icon used is automatically determined from each running application, but can be changed by the user as desired.  Both startup and automatic features can be changed by the user at the options display.

Each time a new application is started, and minimized, MSI TrayManager performs the same tray icon actions.

If you move the mouse over an application that has been minimized to the system tray, a tool tip will display showing the current window title for the application.  For example if you started three occurrences of Internet Explorer (each with a different web site) and minimized each to the system tray, the tool tip displayed for each would be the web site address, which is part of the title bar display for Internet Explorer.

To restore a minimized application, place the mouse over the desired system tray icon and press the left mouse button.  The application will be restored to the last size and position on your windows desktop.  If you wish to minimize again, just click the same tray icon again.

MSI TrayManager can be customized by the user to exclude specific applications (that might already manage their own system tray icon), and to change the icon to be used for those applications.

To exit MSI TrayManager, move the mouse over the system tray icon and right mouse click.  Select the Exit Program option.  When MSI TrayManager exits, any managed applications that are currently managed will be re-minimized to the Windows taskbar.,


MSI TrayMinimizer Options
MSI TrayManager Options

The main display for MSI TrayManager is shown in the image below.

Click on the MSI TrayManager icon in the system tray to display the program options.

Click on Start With Windows check box to have MSI TrayManager automatically start every time Windows starts and a user logs on.

Click on the Iconize at Startup check box to have MSI TrayManager automatically place any existing minimized Windows applications directly in the system tray when it first starts.

Click the OK button to close the MSI TrayManager options display.  This does not exit the program, but simply returns it to the system tray to continue operations.

A list of currently managed Windows applications is display in the center area.  These are the currently running Windows applications that MSI TrayManager is managing a system tray icon.

You can set the tray icon to be used for each or set the program to not manage the icon for a specific application.  Double click on the list item to set the options for any given program being managed.


Windows Applications Options

MSI TrayManager normally manages the system tray icon for each running Windows application that has been minimized.  It normally automatically selects the icon to be used in the system tray from information from the application.   To customize the options for any managed application, double click on the application from the main MSI TrayManager display.  The following display results:

Basic information for the currently selected application is shown in the top area.

The user can change the icon to be used for each managed application.

Press the Select Icon button to select a different icon to be used.   Use the resulting Windows display to locate the desired icon.

Some Windows applications have their tray icons already set by Windows or the application itself.  Examples include programs like Norton AntiVirus, from Symantec or UPS battery backup monitor programs from APC.

For these Windows applications, the Select Icon button will be disabled, as their icons cannot be changed.

Check the Manage System Tray Icon check box to have MSI TrayManager automatically manage the system tray icon for the currently selected application.  This is the default behavior for most applications.  If you wish MSI TrayMinimizer to not manage the tray icon, uncheck this option.

Check the Icon remains in System Tray check box to have MSI TrayManager leave the application icon in the system tray at all times.  Then a single click on the tray icon will restore the application to the Windows Desktop when minimized, or re-minimize back to the just the tray when displayed on the Desktop.

Check the Hide Associated Tray Icon check box to have MSI TrayManager automatically hide any associated icon.  Selecting this action will create a tray icon, but then hide it from normal view.

All icons can be displayed at any time by right mouse clicking the MSI TrayManager icon and selecting the option to Show Hidden icons for a few seconds.

Click the OK button when finished to return to MSI TrayManager options.