Windows 7 - Does Windows offer virtual desktop options?

Anonymous
2009-10-21T13:19:43+00:00

original title: Multiple desktops in windows 7 ?

Hi,

Why Windows 7 is not providing the virtual desktops like in Mac or Linux ? It helps a lot in arranging the applications into various groups like personal, office etc and placing them on different desktops.

Best regards,

Bins.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2011-03-27T20:25:33+00:00

Hello SanatTalmaki,

The download does not seem to be malware. I suggest you might scan the file with another Antivirus such as Microsoft Security Essentiasl and see if you come up with the same results.

You can download Microsoft Security Essentials from the link below:

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

Thanks,

Marilyn

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Anonymous
2010-10-18T18:38:31+00:00

I've developed an application because I wanted the same thing. My program is extremely lightweight and requires no configuring.

You install, or you can use the zip and just run it. Then use alt+ the number of the desktop to switch to it. Then alt+ctrl+number to send the active window to a desktop.

My program is open source and free.

The current desktop is shown in the tray on the icon, and the icon can optionally be hidden.

http://code.google.com/p/mdesktop/

Jason

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-06-13T17:02:55+00:00

    I don't think you [bwQuestion] do either, if you want to get all snarky.

    From Tuxfiles.org:

    "The window manager controls the way your desktop works: how the windows look and act. The window manager decides what kind of decorations to put around the windows. It's the window manager's job to provide ways of controlling the windows, like moving, hiding, resizing, iconifying, or closing them. The window manager decides what window at the moment accepts input from you and what window is on the top. The window manager also controls the ways you do these tasks: what mouse buttons you click or what keys you press in order to accomplish these window management tasks."

    Jason's program does not add decorations, allow you to move, resize, iconify, or close.  It sorta gives you a way to hide windows, but not the in "press a button on the GUI" sort of way.

    It is not a desktop manager in the sense that you cannot have a different set of desktop icons in each desktop.  However, I believe that's a feature he's planning on adding for future releases.  And in any case, it allows you to have multiple virtual desktops.

    Maybe "lightweight virtual desktop manager" would be the most apt description for this program, but calling it a "window manager" and definitely not a "desktop manager" is more fallacious than leaving out the semi-superfluous word "virtual."  It is further from being a true "window manager" than it is from being a true "desktop manager."

    Yes, I can see how users like getho might be confused, but really...if you don't take the time to read the program descriptions before installing, you might install something that doesn't do anything for you.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-06-11T03:07:06+00:00

    Am I being dumb?  I thought this would enable me to have different desktop icons with each "desktop". But any changes I make to one are visible on all desktops.  The only difference between "desktops" at the moment is that programs in the task bar are not visible on all desktops even if they are running.

    No you are not being dumb.  Jasons program is a window manager not a desktop manager.  I dont think he knows the difference.  I have actually seen this same type of code on sourceforge.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-06-08T21:32:40+00:00

    To Rain: I forgot to mention, I use firefox on multiple desktops at once.  I have one desktop for my main work projects, one for recreation, one for programming (semi-work, semi-recreational), and one as an overflow for any of the above.  I have firefox windows open on multiple desktops at once, so mDesktop can do what you want in general.

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