ShellFolderFix
ReadMe.txt
==============

This file, "ReadMe.txt", is the plain text documentation describing a small utility
for Windows 7, called ShellFolderFix. I wrote it for my own use, to overcome the lack
of a much needed feature that was removed in Windows 7. I have released it for anybody
else to use if they wish.


Purpose and Functions
=====================

ShellFolderFix is an application for Windows 7 that manages shell folder windows,
so that they remember size and position. Future versions may also manage per folder
view modes and layout, but currently it does NOT. There is a slim chance that it also
works on Windows Vista but that is neither tested, intended nor officially supported.


Availability
============

The latest version of ShellFolderFix is first/primarily available from a forum post
on the website, Windows 7 Forums, at:
    http://www.sevenforums.com

The direct link to the forum thread is:
    http://www.sevenforums.com/customization/40916-shellfolderfix-manage-folder-window-positions-size.html


Cost
====

- You can use any version of ShellFolderFix described in this file without charge.

- You may not sell ShellFolderFix.

- You may provide a complete and unaleterd copy of ShellFolderFix, including this
  documentation, on any website or service, provided that the files are available
  to the public free of charge. Exceptions may be granted in certain cases, ask
  the author in the forum thread linked above (or through PM on the same forum).

- You may provide a complete and unaleterd copy of ShellFolderFix, including this
  documentation, on any compilation disc, provided only that you do not charge
  more than a modest fee for materials and handling.


Installation
============

There are three methods of installation, as follows:

For easy installation:
---------------------
Download and run "ShellFolderFixSetup.exe", which is a full installer program that
automatically works out what kind of Windows 7 system you have, and installs the
appropriate version of ShellFolderFix. Use this option if you do not explicitly
wish an installer-less distribution and know how to use it.


For any 32-bit Windows 7 system:
-------------------------------
Download "ShellFolderFix32.zip" and unzip it into a suitable folder
(e.g. "Program Files\ShellFolderFix\") to install ShellFolderFix.


For any 64-bit Windows 7 system:
-------------------------------
Download "ShellFolderFix64.zip" and unzip it into a suitable folder
(e.g. "Program Files\ShellFolderFix\") to install ShellFolderFix. Note that accidentally
running the 32-bit version of ShellFolderFix on a 64-bit Windows may at first appear to
be working, but no folder windows will be tracked.


For portable installs see section "Commandline switches" below.


Upgrading
=========

When upgrading by using the installer, any previous version does not have to be
uninstalled first. You can run the installer of the new version right away.
However it is recommended that you exit ShellFolderFix if it is running, before
starting the installer.


Using the program
=================

The common mode of operation is to activate the "Start automatically at logon"
option, which will make ShellFolderFix start automatically each time. However if
you wish, you can also start it manually after you log on, for example by pinning
ShellFolderFix to the Start Menu.

First use
---------

The first time you run ShellFolderFix, you should set the Options to suit the way
you like to work. To understand what each option does, just hover the mouse cursor
over the option and read the tooltip, i.e. the hint that pops up. By default, the
tooltip disappears after a short while. You can change this behavior by checking
the "Extended tooltip display times" checkbox near the bottom of the Options window.


Commandline switches:
====================

/portable
    Will load and save configuration and all data files (database, workspaces etc.)
    to the same folder as the ShellFolderFix executable. Options will also be stored
    in a file instead of the Windows registry. This functionality is primarily intended
    when running from a portable device. The "Start automatically at logon" option will
    be disabled as it makes little sense when running from a portable device.
    Note that this isn't intended to be used with the installer-based version, as the
    installer will not delete any data files from the application folder should that be
    requested.


Limitations:
===========

- Handles a maximum of 200 open folder windows (A folder window is a regular folder
  as well as My Computer, Network Neighborhood, network folders etc.)

- Database size configurable from 300 to 10,000 folders


Known Issues:
============

- Does not restore special folders like My Computer, Network Neighborhood etc.,
  when restoring a workspace or at startup. This also applies to network computer
  root folders (ie. "\\somecomputer"), unless Windows folder option "Display the full
  path in the title bar" is enabled. Note that it works the same way for Aero even
  if the folder option says "Classic theme only".
  Will hopefully be solved in future versions.

- Save/Restore Desktop Icons will not properly restore multiple icons with same name.
  For example "desktop.ini", which may be visible when hidden files are displayed,
  will often show up twice on the desktop, once from the All Users desktop and once
  for the logged in user.

- When using the "Disable flashing folder window titles" option it can in some cases cause
  an auto-hiding taskbar to stay visible constantly after windows logon, until all open
  folders have been brought to front once. For some reason the taskbar thinks that the
  folders are still flashing and does not auto-hide until each folder has been brought
  into focus. This might only be the case if the Windows option "Restore previous folder
  windows at logon" is enabled.


Help
====

There is an active forum where you can ask questions about ShellFolderFix. See section
"Availability" above for links to website and the ShellFolderFix forum thread.


Copyright and License:
=====================

Copyright (C) 2009-2010 Georg Fischer

This software is provided 'as-is', without any express or implied
warranty. In no event will the author be held liable for any damages
arising from the use of this software.

Permission is granted to anyone to use this software and redistribute it
freely, subject to the following restrictions:

1. The origin of this software must not be misrepresented; you must not
   claim that you wrote the original software.

2. This notice may not be removed or altered from any distribution.

3. This software may not be sold individually or as a part of a package.


Change log:
==========

v1.1.4
------
- added pages to options dialog to be able to fit more options, and to make a
  clear separation between normal and advanced/expert options
- added folder list dialog, that lists all open folder windows with commands to
  activate, minimize and close windows.
- added option to show "Save Database Now" command in menu, instead of always
  displaying it (now hidden by default)
- added option to specify start delay that used when the app auto-starts and
  the Windows folder option "Restore previous folder windows at logon" is enabled,
  this option might help solve problems with windows that end up with incorrect
  size/pos at startup
- added control modifier option so that windows can be closed without database or
  recent file list getting updated, when holding down a control key during close
- added "Disable State Recording" functionality, when enabled it suspends database
  updates so that windows can be resized and moved without their new size/position
  being saved (optionally this can be overridden with a control key modifier)
- added option to control behavior of newly opened windows, to allow the app to be
  configured to not affect window size/pos
  (suitable for users that would only like to use other functionality, like for
  example workspaces or recent folder list)
- ReadMe updated with more (and reworded) information, courtesy of kind forum
  poster Yahya

v1.1.3
------
- fixed folder tracking bug with (some or many?) non-english Windows versions,
  which could cause some windows to open with wrong size/position
- fixed explorer deadlock bug that often happened when using "Open folder location"
  from the context menu
- fixed small (and rare) mis-positioning issue with desktop icon restore
- added confirmation dialogs for desktop icons save/restore, to reduce the risks
  of accidentally picking the wrong one
- added option for temporarily enabling extended display times of help tooltips

v1.1.2
------
- fixed bug with recently used folder list not being restored across sessions even
  though "Keep recent folder across sessions" was enabled (this only happened when
  the database was at full capacity)
- added /portable commandline switch which loads/saves all configuration and data
  files in the same directory as the EXE file (Windows registry is not used)
- added window exact overlap prevention when multiple windows of the same folder is
  opened (avoids the windows ending up at the exact same position)
- fixed (rare?) bug that did not correctly identify search windows, which could result
  in incorrect behavior in some areas including "Update window for search result"
- some other smaller internal fixes

v1.1.1
------
- changed workspace saving to include "temp" folders when using "Temporarily use
  window as is"
- fixed minor issue with Aero window icons, when "Show window title icons" is enabled,
  resulted in a less crisp (wrongly scaled down) icon
- fixed incorrect workspace order across sessions (most recently restored workspace was
  no longer on top of list in next session)
- added workspace manager dialog (to delete and/or access more than 16 workspaces)
- added (manual) online version check functionality

v1.1.0
------
- added option to enable/disable restoring of open windows from previous session on
  start up (previous versions always restored windows)
- changed manual app start behavior, leaves already open and minimized windows as
  minimized

v1.0.9
------
- fixed serious bug in db mem handling, could cause issues when db is full (and oldest
  entries are discarded)
- fixed bug which (hopefully) was the cause of some windows occasionally not being
  saved in workspaces

v1.0.8
------
- added desktop icon save/restore, saves/restores positions (only) of desktop icons

v1.0.7
------
- fixed workspace loading bug, failed to correctly restore minimized windows (related
  to same bug partially fixed in v1.0.6)

v1.0.6
------
- fixed bug (introduced in v1.0.3) with restoring minimized windows on start up

v1.0.5
------
- fixed minor bug with reading recently used folder size from registry
- added option to enable a workaround for window redraw issues when using the
  Basic theme (or non-transparent Aero)

v1.0.4
------
- hotfix for 32-bit version (all previous version failed to init due to incorrect
  32-bit dll symbol)

v1.0.3
------
- added recently used folder list functionality
- added more error handling and messages when app initialization fails
- fixed bug where opening a folder, that was previously minimized, opened
  it in minimized state (should only happen on windows startup)

v1.0.2
------
- added options to enable window title text and/or icon, when using Aero theme
- fixed so tray icon should correctly re-appear after an explorer restart/crash

v1.0.1
------
- added default settings functionality, when opening folders not yet in the database
- fixed handling of snapped windows
- added minimize all folders option to tray context menu
- fixed bug with update of dialog controls after pressing cancel

v1.0.0
------
First public release.
