[evilfantasy]

Microsoft PowerToys gives XP the ability to have multiple Desktops

The Virtual Desktop Manager for Windows XP creates 4 desktops you can run different programs on and switch between.




Installation


Download Virtual Desktop Manager Deskman.exe

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP Homepage

The installer will guide you through the installation process.

Instructions

Right click on the Taskbar and enable Desktop Manager from the menu

Five buttons will appear to the left of the system tray





The first button is the Preview button with the rest numbered 1 2 3 4 which are your four virtual desktops.

Configure/Settings

• Shared Desktop is enabled by default. The Taskbar buttons of the applications running in any of the four desktops will be visible. You can toggle between them using Alt + Tab , or by clicking on their Taskbar buttons.

• Configure Desktop Images allows you to change the background images of each of the four desktops. You can browse and select a image other than those provided by through the four desktops.

• Configure Keyboard Shortcuts. All you need is to change the entries under Key1 and Key3. Key2 is optional.

• To disable showing MSVDM on the Taskbar or if you are a primary keyboard user and you would not prefer to see the buttons. You can disable both by right clicking any button and then Show title and Show quick buttons

• By Default animations are enabled for faster performance. You can disable Use Animations from the Taskbar menu. The default shortcuts keys may be changed according to your preference for easier and quicker navigation. Windows will warn you if any pattern is already in use.

Default Shortcut Reference

• Windows Key + Z - Show the fullscreen "switcher"
• Windows Key + W - Pop up the window menu for the active window
• Windows Key + Numpad 1...9 - Switch to the corresponding desktop, if it exists
• Windows Key + Arrow Keys - Move to the corresponding desktop
• Windows Key + Control + Numpad 1...9 - Send the foreground window to the corresponding desktop

Features

• Full screen desktop/window manager/preview with full drag and drop managing
• Desktop switch indicator
• An infinite number of desktops
• Watch the windows move in real time as you drag them around in the window manager
• Multiple monitor support
• Window menus
• Tray icons for each desktop
• Per-desktop backgrounds
• Configurable colors, fade speeds, hotkeys, etc.
• Uses Vista's live thumbnails
• XP support
• And much more!