Best Free Virtual Desktop Manager
I looked at five free Virtual Desktop Managers including VirtuaWin, Microdesk, Dexpot, Virtual Dimension and MSVDM.
VirtuaWin is a competent but basic product that depends on third-party modules for extra features but unfortunately there aren't many around. Microdesk comes with more standard features such as 99 desktops, configuration of each desktop (name, password, wallpaper and icons), an attractive interface and a configurable transparent menu above the tray bar to navigate between desktops. However, there is no detailed FAQ and no forum. Dexpot allows even more configuration for each of its 20 possible desktops with its well-organized interface and enables easy switching between desktops and quick movement of windows. The online documentation is slightly incomplete and the most active section of the online forum is in German. This should not prove to be much of a hindrance, due to the ease of use of the application. Next is Virtual Dimension. With a more minimilistic and "straight to the point" approach, I found it to be fast and easy to install, configue and use. Documentation seems to be lacking a bit, but once again, like Dexpot, it should not be much of a problem to begin using this little VDM. Finally there's MSVDM also known as Microsoft Virtual Desktop Manager. I had a fairly pleasant exepeince with MSVDM. Although lacking in some of the features found in most of the other applications, it makes up by it's small size and simplicity. If you've looking for just the basics in a VDM, MSVDM is a good choice.
The five Virtual Desktop Managers I reviewed are all very capable products but I have to recommend Dexpot due to its attractive interface, ease of use, various language versions and features list.
VirtuaWin
Website: http://virtuawin.sourceforge.net/
Download link: http://virtuawin.sourceforge.net/downloads.php
Author: Johan Piculell
Current version: 3.2
Version date: November 08, 2007
License: GNU General Public License (GPL)
Download File size: 382 KB
Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Additional Software Required: Modules needed for Extra Features
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: Yes
Non-English languages supported: None
Other relevant information: Open Source Software
Microdesk
Website: http://www.septimiu.ro/
Download link: http://www.download.com/Microdesk/3003-2346_4-10402623.html?tag=tab_rev
Author: Mare Septimiu Fabian-SimSoft
Current version: 4.1.5
Version date: June 22, 2005
License: Freeware
Download File size: 980.84 KB
Operating Systems Supported: 98/ME/2000/XP/2003 Server
Additional Software Required: None
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: No
Non-English languages supported: No
Other relevant information: Free Registration required for activation
Dexpot
Website: http://www.dexpot.de/en/index2.html
Download link: http://dexpot.de/index.php?id=download
Author: Sebastian Brands, Patrick Dubbert
Current version: 1.4.1
Version date: March 3, 2006
License: Freeware for Personal Use
Download File size: 1.76 MB
Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Additional Software Required: None
64 Bit Capable: Yes
Portable Version Available: Yes
Non-English languages supported: German, French, and Spanish
Other relevant information: Personal use is free. They charge 10 Euros per license for commercial use.
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Hello everybody,
Found this one just yesterday called "360 desktop". Haven't tried it myself yet. It should be panoramic/carousel kind of thing and might be convinient, although you probebly better be sober using it.
http://www.360desktop.com/
http://www.zdnet.be/downloads.cfm?id=88397
Greetings...
Thanks for the link, looks really interesting!! I'm gonna give it a spin and see how it goes!
Thanks,
Could I get your opinion on PowerPro? It looks really good, if you're willing to go through all the options.
http://powerpro.webeddie.com/
Typhoeus
Typhoeus,
Indeed an interesting program. This program is a little hard to categorize due to the many things it can do. I would really classify this as a Power User tool relating to the explorer GUI shell in windows. I don't know If I would feel comfortable yet in placing it here in the Virtual Desktop category, though it also could, because of the Virtual Desktop option. Very useful application overall!
Hi Bob,
Would really like to know your opinion on Yodm3D. I've been a Dexpot user for quite some time now but that cube effect on Yodm3D is really really tempting.
Keep up the good work!
Yodm3D is nice visually but unfortunately it looks as if it's only an evaluation, then would have to be purchased.
I've tested some of the mentioned, but I like this one the best:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/cc817881.aspx
from the former 'sysinternals' as each desktop runs in it's own process 'explorer.exe'. No install required.
Very Nice! Haven't tried this one yet, but looks good!
Thanks,
There is an update on 1.4.1 available at http://www.dexpot.de
Thanks for the update!
I've heard quite a bit about goScreen (http://www.goscreen.info/), could you take a look at it?
Thanks for the lead, but it looks like this application is only shareware. I would like to only focus on freeware products at this time, especially for Virtual Desktop Managers.
Thank You,
Dexpot was updated to version 1.4.1
Fully Vista support including 64 Bit. There is a portable version. Also more languages includet.
Thank for the update!
I have been using Dexpot for a week now and like it except for the fact it takes about 2.5 seconds to switch between desktops. Anyone else see it being this slow? I have four desktops going, with a background screen for each. Does that bog it down? Win XP, Pentium 4, 3 GHz, 1 GB memory...
I haven't noticed any delay but about 1 second delay between switching. Have you checked how much memory is being used from other programs in the background?
I am back to using Dexpot now. But I have to make all four desktops have the same desktop picture (none of which were very big to begin with). Apparently having different background pictures is what caused the 2.5 second delay. When they're all the same, it switches instantaneously. I'm not sure if it's related to speed of a video card or not, but I would think all video cards these days should be able to handle something like this. Anyhow, I'm pleased with the program now that I found this work-around.
That is interesting, I never actually used different backgrounds, so this is probably why I never experienced the delay. Thanks for letting me know about it.
Thanks,
I loved Virtual Desktop Toolbox v2.80, particularly for its richness in terms of features plus desktops multi user logons. Unfortunately, the website R2D2-Software.com is no longer available.
I agree, Virtual Desktop Toolbox was one of the best VDM's, but looks like they are longer active. It's unfortunate.
Thanks,
From version 2.0, VirtuaWin is distributed under the GNU General Public License
Thanks for the update.
Dexpot works pretty well. Another option for those who would like a lot of these types of utilities lumped into one package is PowerPro. It includes a desktop manager, sticky notes, and an abundance of other options.
The best of all Dexpot, I agree with Edward, I have been using it two years, and tried to find an alternative, but none worked as fast and stable as Dexpot. Great choice. Although freeware for personal use, I bought a license because I think it is a great software.
It's good to see that others have found the same benefits of using Dexpot, it is a good one!
I kind of like this one:
http://www.clubic.com/telecharger-fiche45134-deskspace-ex-yod-m-3d.html
Thanks for the suggestion, but it looks like they only offer an evaluation for download, then purchase would be necessary. I would really like to focus on "Free" based software. Thank you for the information, it does look nice visually.
The last freeware version of Yod'm (now Deskspace) is available here: http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page34.html
And there's a brief Wikipedia article here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yod'm_3D
I tried Yod'm out some time back. I enjoyed the cube effect and the ability to keep four different wallpapers on hold to fit mood or situation (you can also insert a backdrop of your choice). But for me at least, it just wasn't KISS: when I changed desktop I kept forgetting that I'd opened things elsewhere :>\
Bob,
Thanks for the information, I will surely check it out.
Thanks, I sure will!
Edward A. Weissbard
Best Free Virtual Desktop Manager Editor
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