The Fat Controller
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- Aug 16, 2007
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This guide will explain how to get multiple desktops in Windows. To learn about what virtual desktops are, read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_desktop. Here's a blogpost by Chris Pirillo explaining virtual desktops: http://chris.pirillo.com/2007/06/08/what-is-a-virtual-desktop/
Here's a screenshot of four virtual desktops under VirtuaWin:
In practice, you would only see one of these desktops, but would be able to switch between any of the four with the click of a button.
Multiple (virtual) desktops aren't supported natively in Windows, meaning you have to download software to be able to do this. However, being able to switch from one desktop to another at a press of a button is pretty cool and useful, whether you want to just improve productivity, or quickly hide whatever you're up to from relatives or teachers.
The application I recommend is VirtuaWin, although there are many other alternatives including a virtual desktop manager in the Microsoft PowerToys pack.
You can get VirtuaWin here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/virtuawin/ - download the version you prefer, but bear in mind that the testing version may be buggy.
Simply download and run the installer by double clicking on it and go through the procedure. Installation is self-explanatory and quick.
Once installed, you should see a new icon in the bottom right of your screen, probably like this (circled):
Right click this icon and choose "setup", then move to the hotkeys tab and customize to your liking. As shown by my configuration, you really can swap desktops at the press of a button:
You can also specify the number of virtual desktops and their arrangement via the general tab. VirtuaWin also supports swapping of windows from one desktop to another. You can do this my left-clicking on the icon and selecting the windows you want to transfer.
There are dozens of options to be fiddled with which makes VirtuaWin very customizable. It also uses very little memory, which is a plus. The official website also supplies many additional modules and add-ons which are, of course, completely free, as this is all open-source software: http://virtuawin.sourceforge.net/
Here's a screenshot of four virtual desktops under VirtuaWin:
In practice, you would only see one of these desktops, but would be able to switch between any of the four with the click of a button.
Multiple (virtual) desktops aren't supported natively in Windows, meaning you have to download software to be able to do this. However, being able to switch from one desktop to another at a press of a button is pretty cool and useful, whether you want to just improve productivity, or quickly hide whatever you're up to from relatives or teachers.
The application I recommend is VirtuaWin, although there are many other alternatives including a virtual desktop manager in the Microsoft PowerToys pack.
You can get VirtuaWin here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/virtuawin/ - download the version you prefer, but bear in mind that the testing version may be buggy.
Simply download and run the installer by double clicking on it and go through the procedure. Installation is self-explanatory and quick.
Once installed, you should see a new icon in the bottom right of your screen, probably like this (circled):
Right click this icon and choose "setup", then move to the hotkeys tab and customize to your liking. As shown by my configuration, you really can swap desktops at the press of a button:
You can also specify the number of virtual desktops and their arrangement via the general tab. VirtuaWin also supports swapping of windows from one desktop to another. You can do this my left-clicking on the icon and selecting the windows you want to transfer.
There are dozens of options to be fiddled with which makes VirtuaWin very customizable. It also uses very little memory, which is a plus. The official website also supplies many additional modules and add-ons which are, of course, completely free, as this is all open-source software: http://virtuawin.sourceforge.net/
