From 57b2c4b0cccb980d04c79bc33c121b5ae460c433 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Ray Berezowski <6616212+rberezowski@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2026 22:37:09 -0400
Subject: [PATCH] Add working folder and minimized launch options
---
MainWindow.xaml | 42 +++++++++++++------
MainWindow.xaml.cs | 77 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-
Models/LauncherConfig.cs | 4 ++
README.md | 1 +
Services/LauncherController.cs | 29 ++++++++++++-
TaskbarLauncher.csproj | 4 +-
Views/LauncherPopup.xaml.cs | 10 +++++
config.example.json | 10 +++++
docs/INSTALL.md | 1 +
9 files changed, 160 insertions(+), 18 deletions(-)
diff --git a/MainWindow.xaml b/MainWindow.xaml
index 77652a8..217249f 100644
--- a/MainWindow.xaml
+++ b/MainWindow.xaml
@@ -182,6 +182,7 @@
+
@@ -203,27 +204,42 @@
-
-
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
-
-
+
-
-
+
+
+
+
+
-
-
+ DuplicateItem(child, renameRoot: false)).ToList()
};
@@ -1542,6 +1552,11 @@ public partial class MainWindow : Window
issues.Add(new TargetValidationIssue(string.Join(" > ", itemPath), problem));
}
+ if (!item.IsDisabled && TryGetWorkingFolderIssue(item, out string? workingFolderProblem) && workingFolderProblem is not null)
+ {
+ issues.Add(new TargetValidationIssue(string.Join(" > ", itemPath), workingFolderProblem));
+ }
+
if (item.Children.Count > 0)
{
ValidateTargets(item.Children, itemPath, issues);
@@ -1610,6 +1625,25 @@ public partial class MainWindow : Window
}
}
+ private static bool TryGetWorkingFolderIssue(LauncherItem item, out string? problem)
+ {
+ problem = null;
+
+ if (!LauncherController.CanUseLaunchOptions(item.Type) || string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(item.WorkingFolder))
+ {
+ return false;
+ }
+
+ string workingFolder = Environment.ExpandEnvironmentVariables(item.WorkingFolder.Trim());
+ if (Directory.Exists(workingFolder))
+ {
+ return false;
+ }
+
+ problem = "Working folder does not exist.";
+ return true;
+ }
+
private static bool CommandExistsOnPath(string target)
{
if (target.IndexOfAny([Path.DirectorySeparatorChar, Path.AltDirectorySeparatorChar]) >= 0)
@@ -1785,7 +1819,29 @@ public partial class MainWindow : Window
ThemeService.Apply(scheme);
}
- private void RunAsAdminBox_Changed(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
+ private void BrowseWorkingFolder_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
+ {
+ using FolderBrowserDialog dialog = new()
+ {
+ Description = "Choose a working folder"
+ };
+
+ if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(WorkingFolderBox.Text))
+ {
+ string currentFolder = Environment.ExpandEnvironmentVariables(WorkingFolderBox.Text.Trim());
+ if (Directory.Exists(currentFolder))
+ {
+ dialog.SelectedPath = currentFolder;
+ }
+ }
+
+ if (dialog.ShowDialog() == System.Windows.Forms.DialogResult.OK)
+ {
+ WorkingFolderBox.Text = dialog.SelectedPath;
+ }
+ }
+
+ private void LaunchOptionBox_Changed(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
if (isLoadingSelection)
{
@@ -1875,11 +1931,17 @@ public partial class MainWindow : Window
Type = TypeBox.SelectedItem is LauncherItemType type ? type : LauncherItemType.App,
Target = TargetBox.Text.Trim(),
Arguments = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(ArgumentsBox.Text) ? null : ArgumentsBox.Text.Trim(),
+ WorkingFolder = LauncherController.CanUseLaunchOptions(TypeBox.SelectedItem is LauncherItemType itemType ? itemType : LauncherItemType.App) &&
+ !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(WorkingFolderBox.Text)
+ ? WorkingFolderBox.Text.Trim()
+ : null,
IconPath = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(IconPathBox.Text) ? null : IconPathBox.Text.Trim(),
IsFavorite = selectedItem.IsFavorite,
IsDisabled = selectedItem.IsDisabled,
- RunAsAdmin = LauncherController.CanRunAsAdmin(TypeBox.SelectedItem is LauncherItemType itemType ? itemType : LauncherItemType.App) &&
+ RunAsAdmin = LauncherController.CanRunAsAdmin(TypeBox.SelectedItem is LauncherItemType adminType ? adminType : LauncherItemType.App) &&
RunAsAdminBox.IsChecked == true,
+ StartMinimized = LauncherController.CanUseLaunchOptions(TypeBox.SelectedItem is LauncherItemType launchType ? launchType : LauncherItemType.App) &&
+ StartMinimizedBox.IsChecked == true,
DisplayMode = ItemDisplayModeBox.SelectedItem is LauncherDisplayMode mode
? mode
: selectedItem.DisplayMode
@@ -1946,20 +2008,31 @@ public partial class MainWindow : Window
private void UpdateTargetAvailability()
{
bool isMenu = TypeBox.SelectedItem is LauncherItemType.Menu;
+ bool canUseLaunchOptions = TypeBox.SelectedItem is LauncherItemType launchType && LauncherController.CanUseLaunchOptions(launchType);
bool canRunAsAdmin = TypeBox.SelectedItem is LauncherItemType itemType && LauncherController.CanRunAsAdmin(itemType);
TargetBox.IsEnabled = !isMenu;
ArgumentsBox.IsEnabled = !isMenu;
+ WorkingFolderBox.IsEnabled = canUseLaunchOptions;
+ WorkingFolderBrowseButton.IsEnabled = canUseLaunchOptions;
RunAsAdminBox.IsEnabled = canRunAsAdmin;
+ StartMinimizedBox.IsEnabled = canUseLaunchOptions;
if (isMenu && !isLoadingSelection)
{
TargetBox.Text = "";
ArgumentsBox.Text = "";
+ WorkingFolderBox.Text = "";
}
if (!canRunAsAdmin && !isLoadingSelection)
{
RunAsAdminBox.IsChecked = false;
}
+
+ if (!canUseLaunchOptions && !isLoadingSelection)
+ {
+ WorkingFolderBox.Text = "";
+ StartMinimizedBox.IsChecked = false;
+ }
}
protected override void OnClosing(System.ComponentModel.CancelEventArgs e)
diff --git a/Models/LauncherConfig.cs b/Models/LauncherConfig.cs
index b09a485..ca1ad8b 100644
--- a/Models/LauncherConfig.cs
+++ b/Models/LauncherConfig.cs
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ public sealed class LauncherItem
public string? Arguments { get; set; }
+ public string? WorkingFolder { get; set; }
+
public string? IconPath { get; set; }
public bool IsFavorite { get; set; }
@@ -31,6 +33,8 @@ public sealed class LauncherItem
public bool RunAsAdmin { get; set; }
+ public bool StartMinimized { get; set; }
+
public LauncherDisplayMode DisplayMode { get; set; } = LauncherDisplayMode.CompactList;
public List Children { get; set; } = [];
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 58b1284..44f9200 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ Download the compiled Windows release from:
- Right-click launcher entries or Settings items to temporarily disable them
- Right-click app/file entries to open their containing folder
- Optional run-as-administrator mode for app and file entries
+- Optional working folder and start-minimized launch options for app and file entries
- Validate missing app, file, and folder targets from Settings
- Export and import selected items or menu sections
- Sort a selected menu or item level alphabetically
diff --git a/Services/LauncherController.cs b/Services/LauncherController.cs
index b609939..8098229 100644
--- a/Services/LauncherController.cs
+++ b/Services/LauncherController.cs
@@ -180,10 +180,12 @@ public sealed class LauncherController : IDisposable
Type = item.Type,
Target = item.Target,
Arguments = item.Arguments,
+ WorkingFolder = item.WorkingFolder,
IconPath = item.IconPath,
IsFavorite = false,
IsDisabled = false,
RunAsAdmin = item.RunAsAdmin,
+ StartMinimized = item.StartMinimized,
DisplayMode = item.DisplayMode,
Children = []
};
@@ -278,6 +280,7 @@ public sealed class LauncherController : IDisposable
string target = Environment.ExpandEnvironmentVariables(item.Target);
bool runAsAdmin = item.RunAsAdmin && CanRunAsAdmin(item.Type);
string launchTarget = runAsAdmin ? ResolveExecutableTarget(target) : target;
+ string workingDirectory = GetWorkingDirectory(item, target);
try
{
@@ -286,7 +289,7 @@ public sealed class LauncherController : IDisposable
FileName = launchTarget,
Arguments = item.Arguments ?? "",
UseShellExecute = true,
- WorkingDirectory = Directory.Exists(target) ? target : ConfigService.AppFolder
+ WorkingDirectory = workingDirectory
};
if (runAsAdmin)
@@ -294,6 +297,11 @@ public sealed class LauncherController : IDisposable
startInfo.Verb = "runas";
}
+ if (item.StartMinimized && CanUseLaunchOptions(item.Type))
+ {
+ startInfo.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Minimized;
+ }
+
Process.Start(startInfo);
return true;
}
@@ -309,6 +317,25 @@ public sealed class LauncherController : IDisposable
return itemType is LauncherItemType.App or LauncherItemType.File;
}
+ public static bool CanUseLaunchOptions(LauncherItemType itemType)
+ {
+ return itemType is LauncherItemType.App or LauncherItemType.File;
+ }
+
+ private static string GetWorkingDirectory(LauncherItem item, string target)
+ {
+ if (CanUseLaunchOptions(item.Type) && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(item.WorkingFolder))
+ {
+ string configuredFolder = Environment.ExpandEnvironmentVariables(item.WorkingFolder.Trim());
+ if (Directory.Exists(configuredFolder))
+ {
+ return configuredFolder;
+ }
+ }
+
+ return Directory.Exists(target) ? target : ConfigService.AppFolder;
+ }
+
private static string ResolveExecutableTarget(string target)
{
if (Path.IsPathRooted(target) || Path.GetDirectoryName(target) is { Length: > 0 })
diff --git a/TaskbarLauncher.csproj b/TaskbarLauncher.csproj
index 6b43dd7..c1d7172 100644
--- a/TaskbarLauncher.csproj
+++ b/TaskbarLauncher.csproj
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
Ray Berezowski
Assets\AppIcon.ico
1.0.1
- 1.0.1.19
- 1.0.1.19
+ 1.0.1.20
+ 1.0.1.20
1.0.1
diff --git a/Views/LauncherPopup.xaml.cs b/Views/LauncherPopup.xaml.cs
index 9de70ea..705afa0 100644
--- a/Views/LauncherPopup.xaml.cs
+++ b/Views/LauncherPopup.xaml.cs
@@ -468,6 +468,11 @@ public partial class LauncherPopup : Window
AddToolTipLine(panel, $"Arguments: {item.Arguments}");
}
+ if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(item.WorkingFolder))
+ {
+ AddToolTipLine(panel, $"Working folder: {item.WorkingFolder}");
+ }
+
if (item.IsFavorite)
{
AddToolTipLine(panel, "Pinned to top");
@@ -478,6 +483,11 @@ public partial class LauncherPopup : Window
AddToolTipLine(panel, "Runs as administrator");
}
+ if (item.StartMinimized)
+ {
+ AddToolTipLine(panel, "Starts minimized");
+ }
+
return new System.Windows.Controls.ToolTip { Content = panel };
}
diff --git a/config.example.json b/config.example.json
index e50b04e..166fd97 100644
--- a/config.example.json
+++ b/config.example.json
@@ -9,10 +9,12 @@
"Type": "Menu",
"Target": "",
"Arguments": null,
+ "WorkingFolder": null,
"IconPath": null,
"IsFavorite": false,
"IsDisabled": false,
"RunAsAdmin": false,
+ "StartMinimized": false,
"DisplayMode": "CompactList",
"Children": [
{
@@ -20,10 +22,12 @@
"Type": "Folder",
"Target": "%USERPROFILE%\\Documents",
"Arguments": null,
+ "WorkingFolder": null,
"IconPath": "%USERPROFILE%\\Documents",
"IsFavorite": false,
"IsDisabled": false,
"RunAsAdmin": false,
+ "StartMinimized": false,
"DisplayMode": "CompactList",
"Children": []
},
@@ -32,10 +36,12 @@
"Type": "Folder",
"Target": "%USERPROFILE%\\Downloads",
"Arguments": null,
+ "WorkingFolder": null,
"IconPath": "%USERPROFILE%\\Downloads",
"IsFavorite": false,
"IsDisabled": false,
"RunAsAdmin": false,
+ "StartMinimized": false,
"DisplayMode": "CompactList",
"Children": []
}
@@ -46,10 +52,12 @@
"Type": "Menu",
"Target": "",
"Arguments": null,
+ "WorkingFolder": null,
"IconPath": null,
"IsFavorite": false,
"IsDisabled": false,
"RunAsAdmin": false,
+ "StartMinimized": false,
"DisplayMode": "CompactList",
"Children": [
{
@@ -57,10 +65,12 @@
"Type": "App",
"Target": "notepad.exe",
"Arguments": null,
+ "WorkingFolder": null,
"IconPath": "notepad.exe",
"IsFavorite": false,
"IsDisabled": false,
"RunAsAdmin": false,
+ "StartMinimized": false,
"DisplayMode": "CompactList",
"Children": []
}
diff --git a/docs/INSTALL.md b/docs/INSTALL.md
index 7ac396e..e4b45be 100644
--- a/docs/INSTALL.md
+++ b/docs/INSTALL.md
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ From Settings you can:
- Right-click an item and choose **Disable Item** or **Enable Item** to hide or restore it
- Right-click an app or file item and choose **Open Containing Folder**
- Enable **Run as administrator** for app and file items that need elevation
+- Set a working folder or start apps minimized for app and file items
- Use **Config... > Validate Targets** to check for missing app, file, and folder targets
- Use **Config... > Export Selected Item** or **Import Item** to share one item or menu section
- Right-click an item and choose **Sort This Menu** or **Sort This Level**