StandaloneStack for Windows

By Christian Salmon
Free
User Rating

Key Details of StandaloneStack

Create and manage icons on your desktop.
Last updated on April 28, 2010
There have been 7 updates
Also available on
Virus scan status:
Clean (it's extremely likely that this software program is clean)

Editors' Review

Download.com staffApril 28, 2010

StandaloneStack creates groups of files and folders in a Mac-style "stack." Other docking apps have brought this feature to Windows, but StandaloneStack is one of the few that doesn't require hogging resources the way many docks can. It also integrates smoothly with the Windows 7 taskbar, making it an excellent way to conserve space while adding some visual pizazz.

The app offers a comprehensive range of options, from basics like customizing your icons and changing fonts to showing hidden files and adjusting the dock placement when it opens according to specific X and Y coordinates. Creating a stack is simple. Once you've got a folder that has what you want to stack, you go to the "New Stack" option, give it a name, peg it to the folder location, hit Create Stack, and then hit Create Shortcut to send it to your desktop. From there, you can add it to your taskbar. Customizing icons requires adding images to the StandaloneStack images folder. There are instructions in the program, but it's not as fidgety as it might sound.

The level of customization offered and telescoping arc of folders and files felt smooth and fit in naturally with Windows 7, but StandaloneStack is not problem-free. Despite changing the stack direction, it only opened up, never down or to the sides. Also, even after disabling caching in the options menu, most of the post-creation changes we made were not reflected in the link. Users who favor the grid option or prefer their taskbars on the bottom of their monitors will get a lot out of this utility, but StandaloneStack's performance needs to improve otherwise.

StandaloneStack for Windows

By Christian Salmon
Free
User Rating

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: November 25, 2009

Latest update: April 28, 2010

Version: 2.0.7

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows Vista
Windows XP
Windows 10
Windows 7

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 12,365

Downloads Last Week: 1

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User Reviews

2.8/5

5 User Votes

Clean interface and can be made to work with 64-bit
rjr12July 17, 2015
Pros
+ Clean interface + Works on primary and secondary taskbars + Can be made to work with 64-bit applications
Cons
- Requires some dedication to get icons to work consistently - Requires use of symbolic links to work with 64-bit applications
Summary
StandaloneStack works for me better than Bins or 7Stacks. Unlike Bins, StandaloneStack works on all taskbars on multiple monitors, and it has a more professional look than 7Stacks. It requires a bit of dedication to set up icons and 64-bit applications using symbolic links, but the effort is well worth it.
Does what it says but with great difficulty.
GemmoMay 30, 2010
Pros
Quick and useful but...
Cons
No help or instructions
Summary
Not ready for prime time
smcohenMay 11, 2010
Pros
Nice curved arc of icons
Cons
Most everything. Unintuitive to install and to use. Never did actually work for me. I couldn't customize it at all.
Summary
After struggling with this program for the better part of an hour, with no luck, I ran from it in horror. Even after the icons appeared (finally!) they still would not link to the programs they are supposed to open. I then loaded the more-or-less equivalent 7Stacks (also recommended by cNet) and it works like a charm. Don't bother with Standalone Stack.
works well, if you get it right the first time.
ace58May 7, 2010
Pros
does what it says, the eye-candy feature looks great.
Cons
transferring the app from one directory to another is not as simple as it should be. i get a lot of "unknown stack" errors.
Summary
The Best Alternative to a Launch Dock
MikewerkDecember 3, 2009
Pros
It's the best app. to enhance your Quick Launch Bar's functionality. I became familiar with these Stacks through Rocketdock and once I found this program I decided to give it a whirl. It's since become indispensable.
Cons
None really once you get the hang of it. Just make sure you have "Keep in memory when stack is closed" unchecked so they don't take up RAM when not used. Sometimes they hang when clicked but this is minor and doesn't happen allot.
Summary
It adds a great deal of functionality to your Task Bar or any part of your computer you decide to place one in. It's very customizable and once you have a good set of .ICO icons, you can replace the standard box icon with something relating to the content of the stack. I've added 13 to my Quick Launch Bar and have done away with Rocketdock in order to save desktop space. I wish I could submit a screenshot, because my Taskbar looks pretty damned HOT with these babies added!

Developer's Description

By Christian Salmon

Create and manage icons on your desktop.

Standalone Stack is a free software which takes a stack docklet offered as part of program docks such as ObjectDock and offers the feature on its own.It can create any folder icon stacks that appear when you click on a shortcut and fade out when you move or click away.