[Run][WindowWalker Plugin] Display the application icon for a running process

[garrulinae]

Now that we can use PT Run as just a window walker (thanks devs!) it would be useful to quickly visually identify running programs by their icons.

Currently a generic icon is used for all running processes, which means that the user has to read the text to figure out which (if any) window is the one they are looking for. Otherwise they have to keep typing (with no typos) to narrow down the query results.

The point of the window walker is to be faster than Alt+Tab, so speed is crucial.

I would like to request that the relevant application icon is used instead of the generic one. Even better – if feasible – use tab icon for each open tab in a browser.

Below are some mockups to illustrate the problem and suggested solution:

---

If you'd like to see this feature implemented, add a 👍 reaction to this post.

[garrulinae]

P.S. In hindsight, my mockups don't really indicate the extent of the problem - I just made some simple visuals to communicate the idea. I should have chosen a better example.

To see how effective this would be, actually input a few characters (with the < selector) into PT Run and view the suggestions - you'll probably agree that the icons would make a huge usability improvement

[crutkas]

I think this would be a good idea, but i feel like we need a way to show clearly a running app versus a general app

[crutkas]

@betsegaw did you ever look at this? I feel like this plus an additional overlay of somehow showing it is a running process would be massive

[crutkas]

I feel like we are tracking this

[crutkas]

Yup, we do. #2390. Lets close that and track it here.

base on @betsegaw, Looks like code may already be there but we need some little bit of additional edge case / work to get it to the finish line:

There is already code in Window walker to enable this and we can pass it through the results. However, the problem with it right now is that it needs admin permissions to show the icon for certain windows. Is that okay from a cleanliness perspective? Sending a blank icon.

Also, we need to have something that helps people differentiate active windows vs. launches. Should we add a string to the result?

[aarontx]

Would it also be possible to have an option to have Active Processes float to the top of the search?

[betsegaw]

@crutkas - below is the link in the old Window class. Not sure when it was removed post transition in the ported class.

https://github.com/betsegaw/windowwalker/blob/6aa7354622555b3fa2c396e8372abfc556966be9/Window%20Walker/Window%20Walker/Components/Window.cs#L141

[htcfreek]

If we implement this it should be an optional setting.

[josefblaha]

I would like to pick this up. Let's agree on some specs:

• Show window icon in the results. If not accessible, fallback to executable icon, then to the generic icon (shown now).
• No icon overlay for now. The results are distinguished by subtitle anyway.
• Add a setting to opt-out of showing icon.

Is that fine for a MVP? Or would you like to make it opt-in to get some feedback first?

[htcfreek]

I would like to pick this up. Let's agree on some specs:

• Show window icon in the results. If not accessible, fallback to executable icon, then to the generic icon (shown now).
• No icon overlay for now. The results are distinguished by subtitle anyway.
• Add a setting to opt-out of showing icon.

Is that fine for a MVP? Or would you like to make it opt-in to get some feedback first?

Sounds good. I personally don't have any preference about the the setting.

[crutkas]

This we should do a speed test for if opt in vs out

[josefblaha]

This we should do a speed test for if opt in vs out

Sorry, but I don't understand. What speed test? Should I do anything?

[htcfreek]

This we should do a speed test for if opt in vs out

Sorry, but I don't understand. What speed test? Should I do anything?

I think @crutkas means you should check what query times (See PT Run log file.) you have with and without application icons. And if the results are much slower with icons we should have an opt-in setting.

[marpe]

Made an attempt here, should I open a PR?

[htcfreek]

Made an attempt here, should I open a PR?

@marpe
Yes please. Your contribution is welcome.

[kakins]

Any news on this one? I saw a commit from a year ago but no more movement. Having the icon in window walker would be a very helpful visual indicator to help navigate open processes.