Vista Games Explorer

zagood

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2005
4,102
0
71
I normally keep all my game shortcuts in a desktop folder, but for some reason I popped open the Vista Games Explorer and started digging around. Most of the "features" like the recommended system info etc. are crap, but one of them interested me...

Looks like you can set different launch options for each shortcut by right clicking and selecting "Customize." You can then reach those options by right clicking the icon.

Looks like it's mostly used for links to the company website, save games, etc. but could be really useful - having a "safe mode", keeping links to walkthroughs and support in one place, stuff like that.

Off the top of my head I can't think of any games I currently play that could take advantage of this, but some old ones I could, like the old dx8 flag for CS:S etc.

Just wanted to see if anyone uses it, and what they use it for?
 

Barfo

Lifer
Jan 4, 2005
27,539
212
106
I use it since I switched to Vista because it's pretty handy and keeps my desktop cleaner (I used to launch my games from desktop shortcuts).
 

zerogear

Diamond Member
Jun 4, 2000
5,611
9
81
Welcome to 2006. :) Vista Game Explorer is a good way to keep everything together. I like it better than having tons of desktop litter.
 

TridenT

Lifer
Sep 4, 2006
16,800
45
91
Originally posted by: zerogear
Welcome to 2006. :) Vista Game Explorer is a good way to keep everything together. I like it better than having tons of desktop litter.

Release date

RTM: November 8, 2006;
Vol. Lic.: November 30, 2006;
Retail: January 30, 2007

I'd say 2007.
 

Zenoth

Diamond Member
Jan 29, 2005
5,202
216
106
I keep all my game shortcuts in my Quick Launch on the Taskbar, it gives pretty much the same result and avoids creating Desktop folder to contain them.
 

zagood

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2005
4,102
0
71
Hmmmm...you can add different programs, just drag and drop a shortcut into the folder. I just added RivaTuner with a /build switch option.

Wish you could edit right-click options on normal desktop/explorer shortcuts - or can you? Anyone know?
 

Zenoth

Diamond Member
Jan 29, 2005
5,202
216
106
Originally posted by: zagood
Hmmmm...you can add different programs, just drag and drop a shortcut into the folder. I just added RivaTuner with a /build switch option.

Wish you could edit right-click options on normal desktop/explorer shortcuts - or can you? Anyone know?

It's possible.

Just right-click on the icon, go to Customize, then in the new window click on "Play", and once it's highlighted click on Edit at the bottom, then the icon's properties will open up just like it would on the Desktop.
 

leeland

Diamond Member
Dec 12, 2000
3,659
0
76
Originally posted by: Zenoth
I keep all my game shortcuts in my Quick Launch on the Taskbar, it gives pretty much the same result and avoids creating Desktop folder to contain them.

This FTW
 

SuPrEIVIE

Platinum Member
Aug 21, 2003
2,538
0
0
Originally posted by: leeland
Originally posted by: Zenoth
I keep all my game shortcuts in my Quick Launch on the Taskbar, it gives pretty much the same result and avoids creating Desktop folder to contain them.

This FTW

Yeah but then you wouldnt be able to enjoy the view of the icons in its full sized form ;)
 

AVP

Senior member
Jan 19, 2005
885
0
76
Steam has the best system with "add non-steam game." You keep all your links in one place and can still use the steam chat overlay which is nice. It is also fun when you find that someone else unexpectedly has the same game and you can jump online together.
 

zagood

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2005
4,102
0
71
soooooooooooo...this feature has been removed from Win7. I think I jinxed it.
 

Mike Gayner

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2007
6,175
3
0
soooooooooooo...this feature has been removed from Win7. I think I jinxed it.

Huh?

My games folder in Windows 7:
DJkIz.jpg
 

AdamK47

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,845
3,636
136
There's this one epic nerd who posts here who has like 500+ games installed. Crazy!
 

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
38,416
4
0
I have never used Vista Games Explorer. Then again, I usually only have a couple of games installed at any given time.

There's this one epic nerd who posts here who has like 500+ games installed. Crazy!

I need him to write definitions for GNag:D