Unleash Your Windows: The Best eXtra Buttons Alternative Software
eXtra Buttons is a handy utility that enhances your window management by adding up to 10 additional buttons to the title bar of each window. These buttons offer quick access to features like minimizing to the tray, keeping windows on-top, adjusting transparency, and more. While eXtra Buttons is a powerful tool for decluttering your taskbar and system tray, you might be looking for an eXtra Buttons alternative that offers different features, a more modern interface, or simply a different approach to window management. This article will explore some of the top alternatives available to help you find the perfect fit for your workflow.
Top eXtra Buttons Alternatives
If you're seeking to customize your Windows experience beyond what eXtra Buttons offers, or if you're looking for a similar tool with a different set of functionalities, these alternatives provide excellent options for enhanced window control and productivity.
Actual Window Manager
Actual Window Manager is a comprehensive suite of 13 tools in one, offering far more than just extra title bar buttons. It significantly improves Windows folders navigation and provides features like multi-monitor support, window docking, and snap windows. As a commercial software for Windows, it's a robust eXtra Buttons alternative for users who need advanced window management capabilities across multiple displays.
MenuTools
MenuTools is a simple, free, and open-source eXtra Buttons alternative for Windows that adds essential options directly to open dialog windows. It allows you to adjust task priority, set window transparency, and keep windows 'Always On Top'. Its integration as a Windows Explorer extension makes it a seamless and lightweight solution for common window manipulation tasks.
DM2
DM2 provides several Windows enhancements, with one of its most popular features being the ability to minimize windows to floating icons. This free and open-source eXtra Buttons alternative is available for Windows and also as a PortableApps.com version, making it incredibly convenient for users who want to manage windows on the go without installation.
GhostWin
GhostWin is a free Windows application focused on transparency. It allows you to make any window slightly or completely transparent, automatically adjusting transparency during movement or sizing. For users primarily interested in the transparency features offered by eXtra Buttons, GhostWin provides a dedicated and effective eXtra Buttons alternative with a clean GUI.
Moo0 WindowMenuPlus
Moo0 WindowMenuPlus is a free Windows tool that extends the standard "system window menu" (accessed by right-clicking on a window's title bar) with extra useful options. Similar to eXtra Buttons, it adds features like transparency control and 'Always On Top', making it a straightforward eXtra Buttons alternative for enhancing the native Windows context menu.
Chameleon Window Manager
Chameleon Window Manager is a freemium eXtra Buttons alternative for Windows that offers similar functionality by adding customizable buttons to window title bars. These buttons provide quick access to features like 'Always on Top' and are integrated with Windows Explorer, giving users a familiar way to control their program windows.
PowerMenu
PowerMenu is a small, free application for Windows that enhances the standard windows control menu with additional items like transparency and 'Always On Top' options. As an eXtra Buttons alternative, it integrates directly into the existing window menu, providing a less intrusive way to access these common window management features.
Minime
Minime is a free Windows tool that excels at minimizing applications to the system tray using a simple hotkey. Its unique selling point is its ability to keep your system tray clutter-free, much like a core feature of eXtra Buttons. If your primary need is efficient minimization to the tray, Minime is a straightforward and effective eXtra Buttons alternative.
xNeat Windows Manager
xNeat Windows Manager is a freemium Windows enhancement utility. Its free version offers valuable features such as changing window transparency, hiding windows, setting them 'Always On Top', and sending them to the tray. For users seeking an eXtra Buttons alternative with a good balance of free and premium features for comprehensive window control, xNeat is a strong contender.
Choosing the best eXtra Buttons alternative depends on your specific needs and preferred workflow. Whether you prioritize advanced features, open-source flexibility, or a focus on particular functions like transparency or minimization, there's a powerful tool out there to help you optimize your Windows experience.