Windows XP virtual desktops

Microsoft has many PowerToys available for Windows XP. The one I really like is the Virtual Desktop Manager. Like the windows managers in Linux, this program gives you four virtual desktops accessible via buttons on the taskbar.

After running the install, right-click on the taskbar,go to Toolbars and click Desktop Manager. You will see 5 buttons added consisting of a green circle with a 4-pane window and then 4 buttons numbered 1-4. Clicking on the green button brings up a preview of all 4 desktops. This preview is just a snapshot of the desktops, it is not a real-time view so you won’t see apps actually running.

Right-click on any of the buttons and you can give each desktop a unique background by choosing Configure Desktop Images. The wallpaper choice is basically the same as what you normally find the the Display Properties except you have a pic of all 4 desktops. Click on one of the desktops and then choose what wallpaper you want for that desktop. You can also configure shortcut keys for switching to each desktop. By default, the shortcuts are:

If you don’t want programs from one desktop showing up on the taskbar of other desktops (cluttering the taskbar), you can disable it by right-clicking one of the buttons and removing the check mark next to Shared Desktops. You can also remove the 4 quick switch buttons by removing the check mark next to Remove Quick Switch Buttons. This saves taskbar space if you plan on just using the shortcut keys or clicking the preview button and choosing a desktop.

To remove the virtual desktops, just right-click the taskbar, go to Toolbars and remove the check mark next to Desktop Manager.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
-1 Corinthians 13:11, King James Bible

07.Jul.05 Tech Tip, Windows

«
»

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “Windows XP virtual desktops”

  1. Bobo | July 8th, 2005 at 5:10 pm

    Nice dude, thanks for the tip. I got it and installed. A very nice find. I had heard about this but then forgot all about it.

    Thanks

  2. Deepak | December 12th, 2005 at 2:21 pm

    Thx buddy..tht was very helpful. Gud work.

Leave a Reply