(For Windows 98-XP only) Using Windows’ Active Desktop feature, this tutorial will show you how to embed your Remember the Milk to-do list on the Windows desktop. You’ll need a Remember the Milk account, Windows, and the ability to use Internet Explorer for short periods of time without exploding. Update: We’ve covered some more webapps in this post.
Another Update: Mark Godwin has a tutorial for Windows Vista users.
You’re required to use Internet Explorer. Make sure you check “Remember me on this computer” or otherwise the To-Do list we’ll embed will log you out.
Right click on any empty spot on your desktop, and select Properties.
You’ll be greeted by Display Properties. Click on the Desktop tab, and click on the button below the list of wallpaper that says Customize Desktop…
A Desktop Items window will appear. Click on the Web tab, and click on the button labeled New.
The New Desktop Wizard. Put the following URL in Location field, and click OK.
http://rememberthemilk.com/services/modules/googleig/
You’ll see the Desktop Items window again. Make sure your new entry is checked, and click OK. Then click OK to the Display Properties window. Magically, your Remember the Milk to-do list appears on the desktop. You can resize it, and move it around.
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I didnt know this existed, and feel silly for praying for it and not getting an answer, when a google search would have provdided your answer….
Question though?
you say “Magically, your Remember the Milk to-do list appears on the desktop. You can resize it, and move it around.”
Can you take a second to explain how to resize it or move it? Am I missing something easy, or does it entail (gasp) some coding?
thank you thank you thank you
Juan: You should be able to click on it, and a gray bar at the top will appear. You can resize and move around using that gray bar at the top of the widget. And you’re welcome. Glad this tutorial is of use to you.
I must be missing something obvious. I don’t get a gray bar at all, when I click on or around the module, left click right click double click click and drag…. nothing. I’m running Windows XP, if that makes a difference?
Being able to resize & move the module would be great. I hope you have an idea of why I have been able to get this far and not those last few inches…
Juan: Do you have “Lock web items on desktop enabled”? Disable it by right clicking on the desktop, Arrange Icons By, and unchecking the option.
Great article, thanks. Really simple steps to follow and the result works great. Joe
Astonishing!!
Thank you so much. You’re 100% right, such an obvious answer and i missed it. I’m glad you’re so responsive though, and so helpful. Thank you.
Joe: You’re welcome. We try and make all our tutorials simple and easy to understand.
Juan: Glad it worked out for you.
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haha, I had the same problem as Juan – very easy answer but I missed it too
thanks a lot!
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Thank you this is wonderful and just what I needed!!!
Dimitri: You’re welcome. Glad you found it useful.
is it possible to do this on vista?
4D4M: Mark Godwin has come up with a way here:
http://markgodwin.blogspot.com/2008/10/remember-milk-on-your-vista-desktop.html
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I needed this for something else, but made my day. Thanks.
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That’s pretty sweet. No additional software to install. Thanks!
The Net Vibes version works great (http://www.rememberthemilk.com//services/modules/netvibes/) because I can actually hit the buttons and it doesn’t freak out.
The google version tries to open additional windows every time I click \Refresh\, \Add a task\, etc.
Wow what a great tut. It was easy to follow and it works great. I was a little bummed about my icons not having a transparent background any more but I only have two desktop folders (I also hate desk top clutter) and was matched the color to pretty close to my desktop image. Thanks.
Aw, I guess I just found out that Fences doesn’t like Active Desktop.
Assuming that’s it. The widget will not stay on the desktop after a refresh no matter what; it will show if I create it, remove my background and hit Apply. Then Fences refreshes (I assume) and the widget disappears…
Awesome tip anyway!
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