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Cool tool: many virtual desktops with VirtuaWin

Virtual desktops are not as good as working with large screens or multiple monitors but they help. VirtuaWin is a free, fast and easy to use virtual desktop manager for Windows9x/ME/NT/2000/XP/Win2k3:

Using a virtual desktop manager is a way to organize applications over several "virtual" desktops. For example if you use two virtual desktops you can put a webbrowser on desk 1 and by using a desktop manager "switch away" the webbrowser and it will seem like you have a new empty workspace (desk 2) to put another application/applications on. Virtual desktops are very common in the Unix community and once getting used to this, it is very hard to manage without it.

The taskbar is different for each virtual desktop which makes it quick to move between the different applications. I have used VirtuaWin for a long time and the following configuration works the best for me:

• Dedicate different tasks to each desktop so you know where you to find what you are looking for. Organizing by tasks like “work“, “private“ etc works better for me than organizing by applications like “browser“, “email“, “word processing“.


• I use the Windows Key + 1,2,3,4 to move to a specific desktop


• I use the Windows Key + right/left to scroll between the windows


• Disable the "mouse support". I am sure it is useful but it drives me crazy to see the desktop change when I get too close to the border of the screen

Main features:

• Configurable key/mouse control


• Small, fast and easy to use, "just the needed stuff(TM)" :)


• Supports user defined icons


• Can keep an active window on every desktop


• Can set windows sticky to make them appear on all desktops


• Configurable layout of virtual desktops, up to 9 desktops


• Supports modules for additional features


• Can save applications desktop belongings and restore them upon restart