Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system in a computer system for creating a new file system object. The method and system operates under the control of an operating system installed on the computer system. The method and system displays a list of types of filesystem objects that may be created. The method and system subsequently receives input indicating that a user has selected a displayed filesystem object type. The method and system then creates a new file system object having the selected type.

Abstract: A taskbar is provided that supplies visual cues, such as buttons, for each application having an active window. These visual cues inform a user of the currently active windows and may be used to display the active windows. The taskbar may also include a start menu button that enables a user to gain access to a menu for launching programs, opening documents and controlling system settings. The taskbar is resizable and may be anchored to different locations on a video display. The taskbar may operate in a mode where it is not obscurable by other windows. The taskbar may also be displayed in a mode where it is not displayed when another window is in a non-minimized state.

Abstract: A system for scrolling during a drag and drop operation is provided wherein the determination of whether to scroll is based on the location of a mouse indicator as well as the speed of the mouse indicator. The system maintains a predetermined threshold that is empirically proven to reliably distinguish as to whether a user wishes to perform a drag and drop operation or whether the user wishes to invoke the automatic scrolling of the present invention. The system determines when the mouse indicator is over a predefined area of a window, compares the speed of the mouse indicator to the predetermined threshold and scrolls the window if the mouse indicator is over the predefined area and the speed is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and system for transferring data to common destinations using a common destination list is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a user uses a software facility ("the facility") that is preferably integrated into an operating system to transfer source objects using a list of common transfer destinations. By selecting a source object and issuing a transfer command, the user causes the facility to display in conjunction with the source object a list of common transfer destinations ("common destination list"). When the user selects a destination from the common destination list, the facility initiates a transfer of the source object to the selected destination. The destinations contained in the common destination list are preferably customizable by the user in a straightforward manner.

Abstract: An operating system provides extensions through which application developers may extend the capabilities of a shell of the operating system. For example, application developers may add menu items to context menus for objects that are visible within an integrated system name space. In addition, developers may add property sheet pages for such objects. Application developers also have the option of providing per-instance icons for each instance of an object. Application developers may provide data object extension handlers for customizing data sources on a per-object class basis and may provide drop target extension handlers on a per-object class basis to customize drop target behavior. Developers may additionally provide copy-hook handlers to regulate file system operations on objects. Developers may also extend the functionality provided by the shell of the operating system by adding their own custom name spaces to the integrated system name space.

Abstract: A system visual notification area is provided to display visual notifications to a user. The visual notifications provide visual cues to a user of the nature of the intended notification. The visual notifications may notify a user of events, status information, or other information. The visual notifications may be interactive so as to display information about a notification when a cursor is positioned to point at the notification. Moreover, the visual notifications may be interactive so as to provide a means for activating a program or displaying a menu to respond to the notification. The visual notifications are displayed without substantially interrupting execution of any currently active programs. Furthermore, the visual notifications may be displayed without the program that is provided to respond to the notifications having a currently active window.

Abstract: A system for scrolling during a drag and drop operation is provided wherein the determination of whether to scroll is based on the location of a mouse indicator as well as the speed of the mouse indicator. The system maintains a predetermined threshold that is empirically proven to reliably distinguish as to whether a user wishes to perform a drag and drop operation or whether the user wishes to invoke the automatic scrolling of the present invention. The system determines when the mouse indicator is over a predefined area of a window, compares the speed of the mouse indicator to the predetermined threshold and scrolls the window if the mouse indicator is over the predefined area and the speed is less than the predetermined threshold.