The Virtual Desktop Manager for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 and Windows XP

About DesktopPlus

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For detailed information about DesktopPlus, consult the on-line help

DesktopPlus Features

Arrange Dialog

The DesktopPlus Arrange Dialog provides a drag and drop interface for moving and copying windows and icon between Virtual Desktops. It also provides access to the each Virtual Desktops' Desktop Properties Dialog and the Options Dialog.

Options Dialog

The DesktopPlus Options Dialog contains configuration options for DesktopPlus. Options are arranged into their respective branches, making navigating the various DesktopPlus options easy.


The Options Dialog

AutoStartup

DesktopPlus allows you to automatically start applications on specific desktops when DesktopPlus starts.

In DesktopPlus' Start Menu folder, an AutoStartup folder is created. This folder is divided up into a section for each Virtual Desktop. Drag a program shortcut into one of these folders and the application will be automatically started on that desktop the next time DesktopPlus starts.


Setup DesktopPlus to automatically start Outlook on Desktop 2 by dropping its icon into the DesktopPlus Startup Start Menu group.


The AutoStartup Monitor gives you an overview of how AutoStartup is progressing and reports any problems.

Window Extension

DesktopPlus. Not only does it allow you to quickly move and copy windows between Virtual Desktops, it also allows you access information about the window and even modify its state.

Here's what can be achieved from the Window Extension.
  • Move or copy the window to another Virtual Desktop.
  • Remove the window from the current Virtual Desktop (if there are copies on other desktops)
  • Place the window underneath all the other windows on this Virtual Desktop.
  • Make the window "Always on Top".
  • Permanently hide it. The window still exists but is not visible
  • Set the owner Thread or Process' runtime priority
  • Terminate the window, it's owner process or thread.
  • On Windows 2000 and XP: Set the windows' transparency.
  • See the windows properties, such as command line, process/thread id and styles.
The Window Extension can be invoked in a number of ways:
  • Right-click a windows title bar, and select DesktopPlus... from the Window Menu.
  • Ctrl-Right or Ctrl-Left click the windows title bar and the Window Extension pops up immediately.
  • Right click anywhere in a window whilst holding down CTRL+SHIFT and the Window Extension pops up immediately.
  • Press ALT-W (user definable). The Window Extension pops up for the currently focussed window.
Here's a screen shot of the Window Extension in action:

Display Settings

DesktopPlus v2 includes the ability to make each Virtual Desktop a unique and personal space. DesktopPlus can remember the following settings for each Virtual Desktop:
  • Icons on the Desktop and their positions
  • Desktop Wallpaper
  • Display settings
    • Resolution
    • Colour depth
    • Monitor frequency

In keeping with DesktopPlus' configurability, each of these options can be individually turned on or off.

HotKeys

Hotkeys
The Options Dialog contains both global hotkeys and hotkeys specific to each Virtual Desktop.


Global hotkeys

In addition the following hotkeys are configurable from each Virtual Desktops' branch in the Options Dialog.
  • Switch to a desktop (CTRL-<DESKNUMBER>)
  • Move current window to another desktop (ALT-SHIFT-<DESK-NUMBER>)
  • Copy current window to another desktop (ALT-COPY-<DESK-NUMBER>)
All hotkeys are user-definable and can be disabled if necessary.

Pager, Toolbar, Tray Icons

DesktopPlus is equipped with a floating toolbar which provides a number of features. These features are also refelected in the Tray Icons that can optionally be added to the system tray area. DesktopPlus also include a pager, which sits on the Taskbar and shows a thumbnail for each Virtual Desktop.

The following functionality is available from the toolbar and tray icons:
  • User definable icons (also applies to tray icons)
  • Desktop titles can optionally be shown on the toolbar (appear as tooltips on the tray icons)
  • Direct access to Options dialog from context menu
  • Direct access to Desktop Properties dialog from context menu
  • Transparent option on Windows 2000 and Windows XP
  • Titlebar can be removed to conserve space
  • Configurable from Options dialog
Most of these features can be configured either directly from the context menu (right-click the toolbar) or from the Options dialog.


Toolbar with user defined icons and desktop titles


The default Tray Icon controls.


The Pager.

Hidden, Global Desktops

DesktopPlus v2.0 introduces two new pseudo Desktops, Global and Hidden. Moving windows to the Global desktop makes them visible on all Virtual Desktops, whilst the Hidden Desktop is a useful place to put those irritating windows which can't be closed.

You can move windows between the ordinary Virtual Desktops and Hidden and Global in the same way you would any other window; through the Window Extension, HotKeys or the Arrange dialog.

When DesktopPlus starts, it automatically places any windows which are "Always on Top" in the Global Desktop.

You can use AutoStartup to automatically start applications on the Global Desktop by placing their shortcuts in the "Global" sub-directory of the AutoStartup Start Menu group.

Rollups

A RollUp is a feature seen on Apples MacOS. Minimizing a window in this operating system reduces the window to just it's titlebar. DesktopPlus also provides this functionality for it's Windows users.

A window can be rolled up or down either through the Window Extension, or by using the user definable HotKey combination, ALT-R.


Notepad, rolled up.