Five free docks to enhance your Windows 7 desktop

by Jack Wallen | April 2, 2012, 11:11am PDT | Image 4 of 11

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XWindows Dock

XWindows Dock is a fairly straightforward dock that focuses on simplicity. You can just drag any icon from the desktop onto the dock and voila! -- instant launcher.

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About Jack Wallen

A writer for over 12 years, Jack's primary focus is on the Linux operating system and its effects on the open source and non-open source communities.

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37 Votes

+ -

Advantages?

Thack Updated - 3rd Apr 2012

What advantages does a "dock" offer over the Windows 7 task bar? I realise they each have different features, but the article really should at least mention why I might want to consider them.

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20 Votes

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Aren't Docks annoyances

CHaynes Updated - 3rd Apr 2012

My understanding of Docks are that they are the annoying bars that come preinstalled on Dell and HP computers (amongst others) that add no functionality other than to get in the way of other useful things on screen.

Personally the first thing I do with these 'docks' is disable them.

If you want a Mac buy a Mac. Windows has a taksbar which does exactly the same thing without the kiddy eye-candy.

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19 Votes

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WTF?

PeterM42 3rd Apr 2012

For those ignorant professionals of us, who don't know what a "dock" is (apart from somewhere ships park or laptops, etc connect up to a base station), it would be useful to explain just what you are talking about.

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0 Votes

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In Windows 95 With IE3 (or older), A dock had a use.

Slayer_ 17th Apr 2012

But since quick launch, pinning, and custom toolbars, I just don't see the point.

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0 Votes

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Docks

alan@... 17th Apr 2012

In the XP days a dock had some use. With '7' the taskbar is the Dock and better at it in my opinion. For one it does not lurk behind applications - and yes I know that docks can pop up to view - I just dont see the point of a dock with Windows 7. I like a clean Desktop and the use of the taskbar and Fences (Stradock) is great. All one needs.

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0 Votes

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docks can be useful

Michael.Stanley@... 9th Apr 2012

There are many kinds of docs, some fancy, some simple. I use a simple attach to left side of screen, stay on top, bump windows to right, narrow ribbon that houses 65 small unique icons divided into groups that I use to quickly launch the myriad of tools I use during my development day. It doesn't cost much desktop space at all and provides an at-a-glance one-click-and-launch platform to start my apps/tools. For me, very useful, for others, perhaps not-so-much. But other people use different types of docks for various reasons. I research and none of the free ones met my needs. Prior to windows-7, this functionality was built-in. Windows 7 dropped it and I was forced to switch to a commercial product.

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Five free docks to enhance your Windows 7 desktop

XWindows Dock

XWindows Dock - Image 4 of 11

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About Jack Wallen

Jack Wallen

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Advantages?

Aren't Docks annoyances

WTF?

In Windows 95 With IE3 (or older), A dock had a use.

Docks

docks can be useful

Join the conversation

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Five free docks to enhance your Windows 7 desktop

XWindows Dock

XWindows Dock - Image 4 of 11

Related Galleries

About Jack Wallen

Jack Wallen

Join the conversation!

Advantages?

Aren't Docks annoyances

WTF?

In Windows 95 With IE3 (or older), A dock had a use.

Docks

docks can be useful

Join the conversation

Keep Up with TechRepublic

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Hot Discussions

Hot Questions

Trending Topics

Featured TechRepublic Pro Downloads

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