After many months of development I am ready to start talking about one of the biggest new features planned for DisplayFusion v2.3: Multi-Monitor Taskbar Support. This is the most requested feature, and also the most difficult to create, so it has taken some time to get to this stage. I am officially ready to start beta testing and I’m looking for people who would like to give this feature a try. This feature will be a Pro only feature, so this beta will only be available to people with DisplayFusion Pro licenses.
Here is what the multi-monitor taskbar looks like in Windows XP with the Blue theme. The Windows Taskbar is on the left and the DisplayFusion Taskbar is on the right. As you can see, all of the taskbar windows are being shown on both taskbars.
In the second screenshot you can see DisplayFusion is only showing the windows that are on each screen in the DisplayFusion Taskbar. There are still a number of options that need to be finalized, but I want to start testing now to get as much feedback as I can from other people’s desktop configurations. If you are interested in trying this out please contact me and I’ll send you the download link.
Update: When you contact me please send the email address you used to register DisplayFusion, or your DisplayFusion Pro license key so I can verify your Pro status. Thanks!
November 21st, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I have to say I really like your software. I found it makes having dual monitors more enjoyable, and productive.
Great program! Five stars!!!
-Dreamerkid
November 23rd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
This is a wicked feature, if it works well this looks like it might be one of the only products (apart from vid card drivers) that does this well. I’ve used a couple in the past but they dont integrate with the windows themes very well
December 1st, 2008 at 10:47 pm
While your program definitely seems to have the feature I’m looking for, I’m afraid I can’t justify purchasing a pro license in order to beta test for you. I do, however, look forward to a final release of this. This is the only thing that I feel my multi-monitor system is lacking. Tell me, how is it standing up different resolutions? My second monitor is actually a high-def TV, so it doesn’t support the resolution that my monitor does.
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:05 am
@Luke: The DisplayFusion taskbar integrated perfectly with Windows Themes in both Windows XP and Vista. It looks just like the Windows taskbar.
@James: The DisplayFusion taskbar will run at any resolution, and currently support any operating system from Windows 2000 to Windows Vista x64.
December 4th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Will the extended taskbar work with the Windows classic theme? I mean, will it appear the same visually as the classic theme or is it hard coded to use the regular Windows XP theme? I’d like to purchase the product now if it will work with windows classic, but it’s a deal breaker for me if it won’t.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:37 am
@Jason: The extended taskbar works perfectly with or without themes enabled.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Just purchased Pro version, and can’t wait to help you test the taskbar integration.
December 28th, 2008 at 4:09 am
Display Fusion is just what I was looking for, excellent product. I currently use MultiMon Taskbar to get a taskbar on my second monitor. I have a Pro license for your product, will I have to buy the latest version [happy to] or will the new functionality come as un update for current Pro license holders [bought my license yesterday -27th Dec 2008] ?
December 28th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
@Aich69: Your Pro license is good for any future updates, including the next release which will include the multi-monitor taskbar support.
January 2nd, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Jon, I just upgraded from the free version to the “Pro” and would be delighted to try out and comment on the Beta version with dual monitor task bar feature.
By the way, will it support an additional custom task bar at the side of the second monitor as XP allows in the 1st monitor? Tom
January 4th, 2009 at 3:57 am
That’s great to hear, thanks Jon.
January 5th, 2009 at 12:28 am
@Tom Simpson: The DisplayFusion taskbar supports all 4 sides of the monitor, and it is themed to look just like your Windows taskbar. As for beta testing, I have more people than I can handle already, but I’ll keep your name in reserve in case any drops out. Thanks!
January 14th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
I will be purchasing pro for sure if this comes out with support for vistas aero theme
love the product already, but this puts it over the edge and worth the money to me for pro! Thanks for you work!
January 24th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Will this process work with word perfect as I need to use that program in my job?
January 24th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
@Leonard: Yes – it will work perfectly with WordPerfect.
February 6th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Do you have a projected date when this version of DisplayFusion will be released? I have a pro license and I really look forward to this new version. I am currently using UltraMon to put a task bar on my second monitor, but I keep having some small issues with that program.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:16 am
@Mark: I don’t normally give release dates, as I usually wait until the software is done before releasing it.
However, I can tell you that the private beta is nearing completion so I’m hoping to release the next version in February.
May 11th, 2009 at 1:45 am
Does this work with Windows 7? I’d love to move taskbar from my primary monitor to my secondary monitor …
May 11th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
@Michael: Yes, it works with Windows 7.
June 28th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Tried this wth Windows 7 build 7232 x64 and it doesn’t work. The secondary taskbar does not have the Windows 7 theme, and just appears as an ugly black bar, ala vista.
June 28th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
@Rufus: Are you using WDDM 1.1 drivers that fully support Windows Aero?