Very simple and does what it says. I like it and will keep it for a while but if I had to buy it, I wouldn't pay that much. Even a third that price will be questionable.

In addition to my comment #44, I've never found a need to minimize regular windows to the tray. Here are some window management keyboard shortcuts:

Win-M: Minimize all windows.
Win-D: Minimize all windows, including non-standard windows, like the Vista Sidebar (show desktop).
Shift-Win-M: Undo either of above.
Win-Space: Bring Vista Sidebar to the front.
Alt-Tab, Shift-Alt-Tab: Select task, Vista Aero shows thumbnails.
Ctrl-Win-Tab: Moves the focus from Start, to the Quick Launch toolbar, to the System Tray (use the Right and Left Arrows to move the focus to items on the Quick Launch toolbar and the system tray), according to Microsoft (some of their documentation is incorrect). See below if you're using Vista Aero with Flip 3D.
Win-Tab: Cycle through taskbar buttons, according to Microsoft. See below if you're using Vista Aero with Flip 3D.

Vista Flip 3D can be turned on, or turned on temporarily:

Ctrl-Win-Tab, Flip 3D taskbar button: turn on Flip 3D until terminated. In this mode, the following keys are available:
Tab, Shift-Tab, combinations of Ctrl and/or Win with Tab or Shift-Tab (multiple modifiers are not recommended), Up and Down Arrows, Left and Right Arrows, Mouse-wheel: Cycle through windows.
Enter: Select top window.
Esc, Mouse-click: Terminate without changing original window order. Mouse-click on a specific window selects that window.

Win-Tab, Shift-Win-Tab: Turn on Flip 3D temporarily (as long as the Win key is depressed). The following keys are available:
Win-Tab, Shift-Win-Tab, Mouse-wheel: Cycle through windows.
Enter, release Win key: Select top window.
Esc, Mouse-click: Exit without changing original window order. Mouse-click on a particular window selects that window.

AnVir 5.5.1 was just released, supports Win7, (optionally) adds to the system menu (available from window's system icon on the top-left, Alt-Space, right-click on title bar, right-click on window's taskbar button) features such as always keep window on top, hide to tray, always minimize to tray, floating icon (configurable), transparency, process priority, resize window, open AnVir to process.

NTWind WindowSpace (see below) adds to the system menu Always on top, Minimize to tray, optionally Hide window (actually, all settings are optional), optional keyboard shortcuts, in addition to all of its various window management extensions and features.

Some FYI items:

For those with nVidia GeForce 8 series or higher GPU's, even though they just released new drivers, they released an update a few days later with PhysX improvements.

Thanks to DownTheShore for mentioning Vista How-To's. What I find most useful are a few registry settings (not a comprehensive list) which are set by tools which Microsoft leaves out of the Home versions of Vista (you paid a lot for the version of Windows that came with your computer, and then they want to charge you a fortune for a slightly upgraded version which you should have received in the first place). One should understand the implications of changing settings. For example, one thing which they mentioned was changing Windows Explorer to send typed text to the Windows Search box, which I prefer not to do, for a lot of reasons.

See my comment #27 in the iMoney giveaway for ending deals, including WindowSpace. Additionally, iolo is offering discounts of up to 60% using coupon code JAN2009.

#31 wrote:
Price should be taken in consideration? HELLO! It’s FREE!

It's only free for computers that you have access to today!

If you want to be able to:

* get updates
* use it on a new computer
* use it on that laptop you lent to your friend
* use it on your computer(s) at work
then you need to pay for one or more copies. THAT'S why "price should be taken in consideration." There have been several giveaways that I liked but that were too expensive given these considerations.

Hmm. Three giveaways in a row from the same Russian company.
This software is really nice if you have to work with 20 windows at a time and your task bar is overfilled.
The bad thing is that this software only runs on Windows XP and earlier. Too bad for a software which was last updated in 2009.
I tested it on Windows 7 Beta, it crashed after a minute.
Reputable company should make sure that their software works in all most popular versions of Windows, not just XP.
They will have to update the software in the future if they want to continue selling it.
Big thumbs down from me.

In the readme:

"... Then open the game by running ctp.exe ..."

@ all & esp. #29 (GIOVI 69); #31 (M.); #34(prying1):

I agree that there is no sane interpretation from the voting system as many reasons come together in one votingcount whithout any means of discriminating between them.
Some vote te reflect there personal needs, others to express the technical state of the software and yet others vote just because they feel like doing so and so on.

But the votings will be used though and with that in mind you will know what the only right way is to vote! You just have to ask yourself how the votings will be used whatever the meaning might be as intended; that is the secret of knowing the only and true meaning.
As you know for sure now the votings are to be used with X-mass.
If you want to see the software offered again with X-mass, you better help it to a high voting-score and if you certainly do not want to see the offer back with X-mass give it a thumbs down!

Hope this is helpfull.

You know I have no use for this but obviously from some of the posts somebody likes it.

As long as someone gets some use of programs like this they will keep offering them. And so what. Let them enjoy.

I don't have to like it, do I.

Oh please, please, puhleeeeeze... stop complaining about any GAOTD software crashing or not running on VISTA unless it explicitly lists Vista as a supported operating system in the description.

Here it says: "Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003 Server" so NOT running on Vista is not anyones fault, not even the fault of the user running Vista.

Information about the program:

I run under win xp pro sp3 (NTFS)

The program are in the tray
Some of the different option from the tray:
Manager(the main window)
menu taskbar: all to tray, all to hide, all minimize/restore/close
menu system tray: all to takbar/ hide, all minimize/restore/close
menu hideboard: all to taskbar/ tray, all minimize/.........
menu all windows: all to taskbar/hide/tray, all minimize/.......
menu system: turn off the power, reboot, log in as diff. user, shutdown, standby, hibernate
AND MORE
In the main window wich is separate in 2 windows so you can switch the windows to taskbar/hide/tray, you have the choise to transport one job from ex the taskbar to the tray with the mouse.
The other funktions that are in the tray icon are also vaiable in the main window and some more.

One wrong thing I did find is: on my messenger window when you move that to a different part of the screen i can see that it transport some of my desktop wallpaper with the messenger window. My messenger window is set to not show the filemenu, the other windows are ok.

Thanks GAOTD and Almeza Company, and all the comments.

One last thing this is not explain the full program but only a part of it, you have also other possibilities ex to chance the icon of the window/program (job)

# 10 What do you want them to do ? Pay you ??

Forgot to mention. Running Vista. After reading previous comments I'll pass on this one...

I agree 100 percent with GIOVI 69 that the rating system stinks. The simple thumbs up/down tells visitors absolutely nothing because there is no way to tell WHY anyone clicked up or down.

I have no need for this program, 'Thumbs down' or this looks spiffy, 'Thumbs up'. (Then visitor downloads and computer crashes. Can't get back to vote thumbs down)

This has all been hashed over before and I know the GAOTD staff has other work to do but how hard would it be to add buttons that ask, "Interested/Not Interested"? This would tell the developer much about the viability of their software idea.

Another set of buttons could say, Downloaded and works good/Downloaded and has problems. This would tell the visitor to dig a little deeper before screwing up their system.

I love GAOTD and recommend it to everyone but this issue is one that really needs to be addressed.

prying1

If it was Vista and Windows 7 compatible, it would say so in the system requirements. Some of you morons are trashing it just because its not doing what you want it to do, yet it never implied it would work in the first place.

I run Vista, so I won't be trying out this software at this point. And not rating it since I haven't (wish more people would follow that rule.)

If you've installed AnVir Task Manager, it sounds like it has many of the same features - right click on the windows title bar of any running program, there will be "create icon in system tray and hide window", etc.

Price should be taken in consideration? HELLO! It's FREE!
It works GREAT in Windows 7, not a single hiccup, very smooth!

heard of trayIt
http://www.teamcti.com/trayit/trayit.htm
Just press ctrl and click the X when you close something to minimize it to the tray.. Not sure why u need captain tray

Hi all!!

Yes I totally agree with my friend ASHRAF: this program is too resource intensive for what it does and it's not worth its price even if it's FREE today...LOL!!

As I told yesterday I'm afraid that the flawed GAOTD RATING SYSTEM can discourage software developers from offering their best products here in the future and if you look at the last products offered here over the past few days you can't deny that the QUALITY of the programs offered here for free on a daily basis has dropped dramatically (just repeats of a couple of months ago or poor programs like this one developed by the same company of previous GAOTD).

So as for as I'm concerned MAJOR CHANGES over the GAOTD RATING SYSTEM should be implemented by GAOTD ADMINISTRATORS asap so as to avoid that this fantastic service may go to the dogs (but I can be wrong of course!!!)!


As for the FREEWARE ALTERNATIVES, besides xNeat Windows Manager,PowerMenu and TrayIt, rightly mentioned by ASHRAF, I would definetely add "RocketDock 1.3.5" which got excellent ratings wherever it has been reviewed (see on SOFTPEDIA for instance).

RocketDock 1.3.5 is a smoothly animated, alpha-blended application launcher similar to ObjectDock which provides a nice clean interface to drop SHORTCUTS and minimize WINDOWS as icons on the dock allowing PC USERS to increase their productivity and accessibility. Excellent solution for extending the taskbar and adding more functionality to Windows (XP and/or VISTA)!!



THE GOOD:


- Minimizes windows to the dock.
- Real-time window previews in VISTA with a look which fits perfectly in Vista environment extending the default Windows taskbar, thus providing an easy management of shortcuts (so best solution for VISTA USERS like you...LOL!!)
- Runs great on old and slower computers such as mine for instance (treble sigh!!) as it uses a slight amount of PC resources unlike this GAOTD (just 14.5MB RAM on average)
- Compatible with Y'z Dock, Mobydock, and ObjectDock skins, unlike this GAOTD!!
- Unicode compliant
- Simple drag-n-drop interface
- True multi-monitor support
- Supports alpha-blended PNG icons
- Shows running applications
- Icons zoom and transition smoothly features
- Auto-hide function which leaves absolutely no mark on the screen of the dock position
- Positioning and layering options
- Completely Portable
- Fully customizable options for both the docklets and the way the bar looks like according to the themes (more than 20 skins available but if you visit the RocketDock's publisher you can download for FREE even more icons, widgets, and skins to further enhance the look of your taskbar)



THE BAD


- As for as I know NOTHING, except maybe the fact that the main settings menu is not where you go to add in and configure the extra options as these are accessible from a secondary settings menu available only by right-clicking on the dock itself.




Did I say that it's FREE??? LOL!!




DOWNLOAD LINK:

http://www.download.com/RocketDock/3000-2072_4-10856104.html?tag=mncol



SCREENSHOTS of this GEM:

h ttp://www.softpedia.com/progScreenshots/RocketDock-Screenshot-29892.html

(remove space at beginning)


FULL SOFTPEDIA REVIEW:

h ttp://www.softpedia.com/reviews/windows/RocketDock--Review-78873.shtml

(remove space at beginning)


Have a great Sunday!!


Cheers from Italy!!

GIOVANNI, the most hated Italian blogger in the ITALIAN GAOTD FORUM crowded by no more than 10 people...LOL!! (for more information please take a peep at the GAOTD FORUM and...enjoy yourself...LOL!!)

I installed on win xp home os, but can't find where it is located. What do I do?

Really guys! Enough of Almeza Company already! How does the same company produce something so good like yesterdays offer then turn right around & offer junk the next day!
It's obvious their big enough to employ their own software engineers so get them on the job & clean up your act! Doesn't work as described, no uninstaller! WTH's with no uminstaller? Sure, you can delete and or shred the program file directory but that won't remove the nasty registry entries.
100 thumbs down today & I wouldn't install it on an enemies PC, no less one of mine again! Thank god for system restore. It left 26 invalid registry entries on an XP-MCE system that was clean yesterday. Reg-Edit was the only way to kill it completly. If you don't have the knowledge to use Reg-Edit, you can trust your luck to a registry cleaner. If you install this the registry has to be repaired after you delete the program file. I see no excuse for "ANY" program not to have an uninstaller. Almeza, good one day & junk the next.

LOL, just what does " So, the Windows taskbar can once get fully packed - everything seems to be necessary, and you have no desire to close any programs " mean?
I can run five programs in my task bar and access between them with ease. Programs like this are TOTALLY USELESS.

I installed this last time it was on here at GAOTD. I forgot about it until recently & tried to use it... Said was an evaluation copy even though I had a "confirmed activation" several months ago.

I am going to delete that program WITH it's uninstall tool & try it again. Here is a screenshot of the uninstall option & the failed activation.
http://img232.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gaotdcaptaintraynn9.png

Thanks GAOTD! See you tomorrow!

Many users need several applications running simultaneously.

Yeah, and it's not like Windows has any kind of, you know, built-in ability to do that sort of thing without the help of a third-party app.

/eyeroll

I'd also be real leery of installing something like this on Vista when it doesn't claim to support Vista in the system requirements. Yes, I know many programs that don't claim to support Vista will run fine, but some of them won't, and a few will even hose up your Windows installation if you try to run them. Feel free to try, though - it's your PC.

Sorry guys, I'll pass on this one. Better luck next time.

Well, I installed it and am running it, but only a few of my taskbar programs show up in the taskbar panel. Went to the website and there are no FAQ or troubleshooting links, so I have no idea what to do to fix it. I have to give it a thumbs down.

Anybody know if there is anything along these lines for the All Programs list so I can access all my GAOTD programs without having to scroll down one line at a time? It would be very much appreciated.

to all of you who have problems uninstalling this soft,just make a stystem restore to a convenient system checkpoint if available.and for the future,before trying out any new soft,always create a system restoration checkpoint before installing anything.that is dictated by common sense.as for this program,if you just want to hide something from the systray,try TRAYTASK,it is free and portable.

Based on the high percentage of thumbs-downs for this GAOTD offering, if u have decided not to get this one, but want the functionality, then TRAYIT is what should look at.
http://www.teamcti.com/trayit/trayit.htm

Freeware, Portable (no install required), does the work, does not crash.
For details check the description page url given above.
BTW, I've been using it since I had windows 95 in the mid 90's. Ofcourse the current version supports recent windows versions including win XP (not sure about vista).

Anvir Task Manager, a previous GAOTD, can also iconify automatically any window to the system tray, but can do a lot of other more useful things.
Also, I wrote my own application (using Autohotkey) that does the same thing, plus the possibility to switch between two virtual desktops and a little system monitor that replaces the Windows Start button, in a couple of days. Selling that kind of program $35 is therefore totally crazy!

PC Magazine Utilities TrayManager 3 a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2280305,00.asp" have used it for roughly a couple years now. think i paid $7 for it, or access to the pc mag utility library. great little util.

Crashes on Vista Home premium here as well. Get the free PowerPro (Google it) instead which will do this and a thousand other things.

#5 klf32

You cant 'uninstall' it because it never 'installed' per se.

Literally what happened is that setup.exe just extracted all the necessary program files into the CaptainTray folder. It was sort of like unzipping.

I rag Regshot before and after, and although regshot picked up registry changes, they did not seem relevant to CaptainTray. Reghakr will know more about the registry.

The only way I can think of how to 'uninstall' this program is to delete the folder - you won't find an uninstaller with it.

The Good
* Allows you to hide windows.
* Allows you to minimize windows.
* Has the ability to 'schedule' when you want to restore a window from system bar.
* You can password protect the program.
* There are hotkeys you can use for certain tasks.
* Ability to automatically start a program in system tray or hidden.
* You can run the actual program in hidden mode (ctp.exe)

The Bad
* Completely Vista incompatible - crashes very, very often.
* Does not add any entries to the context menu.
* Resource intensive for a program of this task.
* Is it portable or just a 'bad' install method? Thinking bad install method.
* Not very compatible with ObjectDock (Vista only problem?)
* You cannot change the hotkeys.
* Poor password protect method.

Registration and installation:
Registration is not a problem. However, this program is completely Vista incompatible.

Free Alternatives:
xNeat Windows Manager (free lite version)
PowerMenu
TrayIt!

PMnet Verdict:
As I said above, in another life CaptainTray might have been a decent program because of its nice feature list and easiness to use. However, in a post Vista world, I really think Almeza needs to get their act together and make this program Vista (and Windows 7) compatible before I will start recommending this program. Even if you ignore the Vista issues, this program is too resource intensive for what it does and it does not add any entries to context menu which is a serious draw back. I don't recommend CaptainTray to anyone; my recommendation for today is xNeat Window Manager. As I already stated, xNeat is a really nice program which allows you to minimize windows to system tray, hide windows and a few other extra features. Plus it uses about 1/10 the computer resources that CaptainTray uses. Thumbs up for xNeat.

Full Review: PoliticallyMotivated.net

"Special Price for Media Monkry $990.00 USD" "Special Price for GiveAwayOfTheDay $1,950.00 USD" !!!!! this must be a joke??

Seems to be well done, but not a prototype idea and many freewares out there.

Personally, I don't use "software toys" (just a time waste for me, while really working on my PC) and I wouldn't give a cent for a program type like this.

im using a powermenu, very effective. and most of all it's free.

this captaintray is way overpriced....

Useless to me.

No Vista support.

Overpriced.

Thumbs down!

If it is space saving in the taskbar which you are trying to achieve then using the Windows7 (works on XP and Vista) Taskbar Iconizer you can remove the script on taskbar tabs,leaving only the relevant icon.
http://solo-dev.deviantart.com/art/Windows-7-Taskbar-Iconizer-102860893

Decide whether you want script or not and then just log off/on the achieve the desired effect. Spacewise having a taskbar tab with only script is much the same as moving the icon to the tray area.

Just a question from someone who used it. Is it simply another taskmanager like HijackThis, TaskPro, TaskDaMan et al (and MS's own power toy), or does it also actually allow the minimization to tray of ALL programs running. It WOULD be nice to get rid of some open program clutter in the taskbar, something that can't be done from taskmanager and requires extensive time consuming over-scripting per app.

I love Almeza's products--After multiset,leadertask. today it is captaintray--all from almeza. Thanks for the offer

Installed ok on Vista. Constantly crashed every time I exited 'options'. It wouldn't send the windows I wanted to the system tray (notification area). Now I can't uninstall it - nothing in the control panel add/remove programs and nothing in start menu. I hope things go better for you!

The software installed & registered in Windows Vista Home Premium. However, it worked ok for a few minutes, then it just crashed repeatedly.

Wow ! Very nice program. Has a Lot of features.. We can have more space on the TaskBar and SysTray. This software is better than XP's In-Buil Group Similar Buttons and Hide Inactive Icons.

I had used some freeware version long back and I dont remember its name. It was consuming more memory compared to this.

Thanks GAOTD.

Good software, but the fact that it doesn't install a shortcut was a bad option on the part of the developer. Bottom line, good software for those who are confused by task manager, but not worth it for the computer savvy who know what they're doing.

Yes, the GAOTD programs should be evaluated on merit (especially since they are free for the day), but price should be taken somewhat into account. I have not tried this, but even if it does everything that it says, it is still WAY overpriced.