I found all preferences to work. I am able to download various skins however it may be confusing for some to place the download. I was surprised that I could grab an icon on the gadget's interface and move it to different hubs. That is ideal because I never remember all the shortcut keys. Keep in mind I do not use this application often, only when I need to keep on task and want to be able to have certain windows running.

Installed fine. Works great. Followed the directions to register, BUT, I still get the nag screen saying my version is not registered.

Its rare that a program impresses me so much. this one did though.

for a suggestion, i would suggest that when a program flashes in taskbar, the icon flashes too. so just cause its in another desktop you wont miss an important IM...

also when programs are sticky, itd be nice to be able to set that prgram to display an icon in every desktop... its cause i expect it to look tidier when i switch but i forget the sticky app will be open too... but then be able to turn that off or on.

ill post next time giveaways impress me maybe...

Many of you seem to be having trouble understanding this. Is is more like multiple monitors not a full virtual desktop. But it has features of both. First it does activate just fine. After install run it and right click its bar. There is an option for register. click continue not buy now. Second in the options, right click the bar, there is an option to have any different icons you want it evn automatically clears the other 2 desktops. It worked fine for me. The reasi=on you cant open multiple WORD docs PDFs Internet browsers is because you are still using one single program. Your one WORD, ACROBAT, FIREFOX, FOXIT, ect is already open to something. All you can do is chose to have it displayed on one screen or multiple. If you had 2 installed copies of say FOXIT PDF you could see a different one on each if you opened a different one in each window. The same would be true for real multiple monitors which is to keep a neat work space, and a virtual desktop which just makes a temporary work environment but still accesses the same program. It takes a full virtual environment that makes copies of running programs to do more.

It has many uses, mainly keeping task separated or keeping privacy, and adds good task keeper and helper features. You should fully explore this before deleting.

Ok, the installation went smooth but the registration was a little more difficult.

I thought, "Well let's see what it does before I uninstall it since it didn't register". I opened it up and started playing with it. I clicked around and ended up pressing the "Register" button. Was I surprised to see the serial already entered. So it's not difficult as long as you *know beforehand* that the serial will be pasted and you just need to register it.

As for the program itself, I was a bit weary to be honest. I'm not a fan of multiple desktops and usually do everything on one. But then I thought, it'd be nice having separate windows for "Fun" and "Work". On the Work space, I can have my browsers and files open regarding work while the Fun space I'd have my browser open to break and a couple of forums. Nice.

The program is small, under 3mb and doesn't use much processing power. It looks good and you can download a variety of skins for it. I'd recommend this to anyone who uses their computer for more then just browsing. For those of you who just check their emails and online news articles, I don't think it'll be much use.

But for those of you who would like to use different work spaces for different things, I say download it now. You won't be sorry.

My only negative with this program is that if I'm watching a video through WMP11, the video will "ghost" on the other workspaces as well unless I minimize the window. Something the developers might want to look in at.

Anyways, it's free and does what it says without a hitch.

This is a great program I bought before the last giveawayoftheday offering. If you have a lot of projects you work on, you can keep them separate on different desktops. These are REAL desktops, not like some of the other programs which fake their desktops. For instance, I have a desktop for my reading and research, which keeps the links to all my books, research materials and reading apps. (I keep all my saved material off my C drive, E for written and F for media) I have another for my media, which keeps the links to my audio books, radio programs, and media apps like my mp3 players, radio and tv apps. I have another for games, one for writing with all my favorite word processor apps, and one I keep with a black desktop for watching movies. I also have one for my Astrology and Numerology apps and linked files and one devoted to the Internet where I download my internet research.

This program is stable. The desktops won't flick away or drop off.

If you want to stick your icons where you want them to stay I would suggest downloading DesktopOK from cnet.com.

I love this program. It has allowed me to organize my computer. I no longer have a messy homepage loaded with random files, links and programs. I have an organized computer with several desktops on which I know where the links to my applications, files and folders can be instantly located depending on the project I am working on.

I downloaded several other desktop programs only to remove them. I have kept this one because of its stability and the ability to customize each desktop the way I want it to be.

This kind of app is useful if you need to take screenshots and don't want a bunch of clutter in them . Other than that - useless.

Dr. Z
Praises B to Allah

I have installed AltDesk on my Win 7 64 bit PC without problem. Burt I seem to be missing something. How do I attach tasks, files, etc. to the desktops? Drag and click or copy and paste don't work. Help.

Love the Aston Menu, but don't really get the point of this one. But that's ok, because as it turns out, I can't actually use it.

FYI, there is an incompatibility between this app and PCTools Threatfire, if you're using them together and getting an "LP5" error on AltDesk's startup, that's why.

TF has this problem a few other apps. Something to do with how it scans. Unfortunately TF has no way to exclude scanning certain apps.
Anyone using both, that wants to try this out, you can't just suspend Threatfire, you must use the task manger to kill it's two processes in memory to get AltDesk running.

Thanks anyway though, GOTD & ASton

I hope everyone knows about the small print just below the "Share your ideas" called "Top Five Ideas" and "All Ideas(21) on this particular page. The :"Top Five Ideas" deault to the main screen. By the number of votes on the ideas that are not in the "Top Five" it sure seems that not too many of us know that the other ideas are there, just click on "All Ideas" Just thought I would mention it.

Please help with the Activation. Is there an alt procedure?

No registration box pops up - I already tried installing it 2 times and the second time I ran the setup using 'Run as administrator'. Environment: Win7 Prof, 64 bit, my account is in local Admin group.

Thanks.

#26 - Comment by ebax - MSVDM Works fine with XP Pro SP3. Have you tried it on Vista or 7?

To find out exactly what AltDesk is useful for, you need to go to the product's page. Here's the DIRECT link: http://www.astonshell.com/altdesk/

I've been in IT since the 70s and believe that since this isn't a VM (virtual machine), there are only two real advantages to AltDesk. (1) Being able to hide what you're doing if you share a computer, and (2) Having different wallpaper behind each application you run ... if wallpaper is important to you.
I base this on the info at the company's site.

The other option I see is to use the Windows taskbar to switch from one application to another (as we already do!). Using multiple user accounts would not be a good option because of the extra resources and switching time.

Are there any other uses for AltDesk other than (1) and (2) above?

As #32, I see that I already have 3 "not useful"'s. Do people just click that for the heck of it?

A screen shot on this page would have answered my question.

Perfect program for my e-mailing has never been faste, makes copy paste in adress tray a dream. I like the fact that this software gives a pc some of the VERY cool features of Mac. And adjusting interface is so easy.. registering is little tricky... go to task bar lower right corner right click the icon and then push the register bar,, registrationcode already aded just need to say send. Take notise of your antivirus, make sure it dose not block registration.

Sounds like an alternative to window's minimize button on the top right.

I've been using AltDesk 1.9.1 since a previous GAOTD and like it very much. Lots of options and works quite well. However, I have found one bug that's particularly annoying. It seems to affect Firefix more than other apps. Let’s say I have Firefox running on desktop #1. It will sometimes also show on the other desktops, # 2 and #3. And not because it's sticky, I'm not using that option. I can tell it's an artifact because as soon as I attempt to click on Firefox within desktop #2 or #3, the desktop flips back to desktop #1! As much as I like and enjoy AltDesk this bug has been annoying enough that at times I’ve just disabled it. In fact, I was hoping today’s giveaway was an updated release and *maybe* fixed, but unfortunately not.

Does this offer the different desktops with tabs, similar to linux?

I think I like the one that comes with my mac better, you know, they have a software similar to this. But this is a good alternative for windows.

They give me a trial screen though. I had to manually go and register, they had the serial filled out. Either way, if I didn't get a free version, I'd probably buy it anyways. Thanks GOTD ^^. Been a while since there was an actually USEFUL software lol.

I! downloaded w/o any trouble....but no popup window appeared and the only thing that was a toolbar w/ the 3 virtual windows...help!

I have been using this since the previous giveaway, and it works like it says.

You can define "as many desktops as you wish", but I tend to prefer the standard setup of the Trinity-skin, 3 desktops wide, 1 high. Then I can put all my work (Exel, Word etc) in one desktop, my music and private "things" in another (great for work!), and my webbrowser and anything related to this in the third.

Gives me
1. The look of someone who are very dedicated to my work (no other programs than the work-related ones)
2. Easy access to the programs I need (without this little program I have WAY to many programs on the bottom of my screen at all times)
3. A tidy look (see 2.)

So far, I have NOT tested the "start programs automatically when you switch to a certain desktop", I have started all programs manually IN the new desktop or moved them after starting them in the "main" one, but I'll look into this as my way of organizing my work should benefit from this (Open desktop 2 and my music and messenger starts automatically, open desktop 3 and Opera starts automatically...) It does sound like a great idea.

Would be nice if the program could automatically control the priority of the processes on the background desktops. I added a suggestion to improve it in this way. If you like it vote for it.

Have used Altdesk 1.8 earlier from the GAOTD which has always worked flawlessly. Great piece of software. Really like the automatic registering of the product and wish all giveaways where as easy. Many thanks to Altdesk and GAOTD for another great, free piece of software

I am a bit surprised that no-one has mentioned that Microsoft did create a XP powertoys:- Virtual Desktop Manager (still available for you XP users on MS website!) but it ONLY works on XP (SP2). It does support 4 desktop too! Shame they didn't continue it's development for Vista/Win7!!

Hi
I knew about this program before today since i like to browse the developer page on every GAOD but never downloaded.
I like the key feature so i downloaded today since i was free.
i installed fine on windows vista 64 bit.
i put it to some test to see if work for me and this was the fail i encounter.

1.I cant not open more that 1 windows of Mozilla Firefox in the same desktop and i dont allow me to open other windows of firefox on the other desktop.(i mean in the normal desktop you can have more that 1 windows of a web browser)

2.Open Photoshop on one of the desktop and when switching to the other desktop it leave like phantom image of the Photoshop.

3. Also try to use it whit games in Full Screen whit crtl+mouse and it dint work on my 2 current game.
On SC2 i cant switch desktop until i minimize it whit alt+tap and on FFXIV made the game crash.

I am afraid this prog don't work for.

#5 & #10 and others who want to run multiple instances of programs, this is not a problem with AltDesk but with the program you are trying to run. AltDesk does not provide a virtual environment, for that you would need to run a Virtual machine in each window and have the software installed on each VM. You can achieve running multiple open windows from programs like WORD, Adobe Reader by dragging the individual open windows onto a different the AltDesk desktop, do not try to open the program twice but use the OPEN from within the program you want to run. To add ICON to a different desktop, just drag a program from the START menu and create a new shortcut. It would be nice if Gladiator software made this function a little (a LOT!) easier for users! AltDesk doesn't permit dragging icons to different desktops, which would be nice!

An interesting comment suggested making this cross-platform so you could use it on a Linux netbook. Fortunately, Compiz does what AltDesk does, plus about ten times more: it's just crazy the eye candy you get with it. Search on YouTube for some demos.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiz

I’m pretty disappointed because I cannot store different icons on the virtual desktops. This feature would be the only reason for me to use this kind of software. All the offered functions are doing nothing else but hinder my workflow. With a software that can generate at least four desktops with different icons the user would be able to use one for office tasks, another one for refinement of movies and pictures and a third one may be for games and fun and so on. My suggestion for the manufacturer is: Create a software with virtual desktops, which provides the use of different icons and wallpapers. I'm not the only one who's looking for such software for quite a long time in vain. That means: You'll be making a unique offer no one else has yet as far as I know.

#15, Dexpot does this. Altdisk seems to be just 'yet another virtual desk' program, equal to some freeware less capable than other payware (since it can't associate programs with particular desktops).

No complaints in what it does, it just is completely unremarkable and certainly not worth paying for when other freeware abounds.

10mb also seems to be a fairly big hit on the system, since others typically take less than 1mb. Not a big deal with today's PC's, granted, but on older PC's it could have an impact.

For everyone leaving comments - Thanks! it really helps those that come by the site later to make an informed decision.

I'm having trouble accounting for all of the negative ratings, though. The vast majority of "negative" comments revolve around the confusing registration upon installing. Hardly a facet of the application.

Maybe some of the people giving it a negative rating know something about the application not shown in the comments?

Maybe the GOTD team will add a "N/A" rating in order to weed out ratings based on lack of applicability. (hint, hint)

I plan to install the program on my 7x64 machine later today. I will comment again based on my experiences.

Steve,

Thanks for comment #4. I reinstalled following your instructions and it registers and works a treat.

It's not working..tried installing 3 times and it says unregistered,30 days left...
and no serial to be seen anywhere...
GOTD Wrapper says successfully activated but it's not...
OS: Windows XP SP2 ..

A good free alternative is Windows Pager: http://windowspager.sourceforge.net/
It sits in your task bar, is powerful, and you can drag drop the small icons from one desk to another with a few mouse clicks. It as no preview or skins, but as a consequence, it consume (really) little resource.

Another great free alternative is Sysinternals (Microsoft) Desktops: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/cc817881.aspx
Unlike all other desktops manager I have tested so far, this one creates really totally independent desktops. That means that if a resident program (such as your antivirus or Skype) needs to display an information on screen, it will use the first desktop anyway, even if it is not the current desktop. That's great for gamers, as you can be (almost) sure that you will never be annoyed by popping windows over your game (if you have launched the game from an alt desktop). But the drawback is that it is impossible to move an already opened window to another desktop. Another bad point: it is not possible to close the Desktops program once you have launched it (except by logging off). It is also very simple (no alt wallpaper for example). A good point: it doesn't need to be installed. It's just an exe file, that you can take with you on your USB stick. (It is not really portable though, as it requires to accept the M$ license every time you launch it on a new PC.)

I have searched google for a good desktop manager specific to Windows 7 that could use its preview feature (like the thumbnails of the running programs in the task bar, but for the desktops), but I have found nothing really good.

Very nice program. Easy to use. Gives me more out of my desktop. Registration was confirmed at the end of install. Thanks GAOTD and Gladiators Software.

Does the "Portable Version" allow user to take their virtual desktops on flash drives to use at 'internet cafes/kiosks' or is it only functional on user's own PC?

Thanks gotd, this program runs amazingly well, it barely uses any cpu and is easily customizable. Besides the limit to how virtual desktops you can have and the size of the menu, there is nothing wrong with this program in my opinion.

Have been using AltDesk since it was first offered on GAOTD.
It is an excellent, stable, and useful piece of software.
On my advice it has become a standard item in the office I work.
(SO GAOTD actually does generate sales ;) )

Thanks AltDesk and GAOTD

XP SP3

A useful tool and I have used this since the last giveaway, which I presume is the same version, as there have been no updates since April last. Unfortunately there is no easy way to determine version number.
One criticism, the "Lock Alternate Desktop" in the "Advanced" box, does not work.
Otherwise, a very useful addition.

This product does allow you to toggle to and from three different desktops but I was hoping I could choose what shortcuts and folders were on each desktop but the only differences appear to be
-Wallpaper, if you choose to set wallpapers for each desktop.

-Browsers - I can have firefox open in one, Opera in another and IE in the 3rd.
-Applications - I can have Word or programs open in one desktop but not in the others.

I don't like that all of the same icons and folders are in every desktop. I would like to be able customize which icons and folders are on each one.

Using this with Northglide's SideSlide can make multitasking less overwhelming. This seems to be a program that needs to be used for a few days to determine if it's right for you.

I recommend Aston making a video tutorial to show how this program can best be utilized.

AltDesk 1.9.1 was given away before. For those who have the prior Giveaway installed, is this "1.9.1" version exactly the same?
It seems to be a good application, but I haven't got round to using it yet. Dexpot, another virtual desktop app., freeware, is pretty good, too. Don't use it anymore, though. Good to have them on your hard drive, should the need arise.

Had a bit of trouble registering it, it would have been nice if instructions had been included in the readme. I already have a virtual desktop manager, but I'm going to experiment with this one, and see how it works...

Question for the developers (or anyone who can answer), I've heard that AltDesk has a portable version, does this giveaway apply to that as well? I much prefer running things portably than having to install...

I do use virtual desktops a lot and currently the excellent freeware program Dexpot does everything I need.
Apart from being skinable I cannot see what advantage this has over Dexpot.

Great tool. Using it for several years already. Help to have different desktops on a work machine.

My choice!

Installed fine on Windows 7 32-bit.

Did not register.

Used RevoUninstaller to uninstall and then re-installed AltDesk and it still would not register.

Able to have a different background picture on each desktop.
Each desktop can have its own icon set, but only the first desktop will have all of the original icons. The other two just have whatever default icons you've chosen from the windows desktop setup - mine only had the recycle bin on desktops two and three.

I opened up a PDF file in desktop two then switched to desktop three and opened a different PDF file.
The results of this is that desktop two has one instance of Adobe Reader open while desktop three has two instances of Adobe Reader open. However, desktop two will only have whichever PDF file I choose from desktop three available to me whether it was originally opened on desktop two or not.

Desktop one (the original) shows generic icons instead of the actual icons from my taskbar (desktops two and three don't show these same icons as they are missing if you set them to have their own icon sets).

If these are supposed to be separate desktops then I should be able to read a different PDF file on each desktop. Since I cannot do this, then that means that this program is not creating a true virtual desktop for each of the desktops.

If I close Adobe Reader on one desktop it closes it on all desktops.

Not a very good program for me then.

Great app, nice and clean gui. Installation and registration went well.
Unfortunatly, F-secure doesn't allow it to run, maybe the developers should contact f-secure to get it added to the database of allowed software.

For anyone bemused by the fact that AltDesk starts up by saying you have 30 days left to activate once you've completed the GAOTD installation, just follow the program's registration/activation process.

A registration box pops up with the required code already in process, you just need to follow the steps to complete activation.

After downloading it installs OK and appears to register via GAOTD but on opening the Preferences screen and choosing 'About AltDesk' it states: 'UNREGISTERED - You have 30 day(s) left.' What's the point of that?

If true, then there's no point in downloading this from GAOTD as you can do it directly from the publisher's site which also comes with a free 30-day trial.

As I don't like being misled into thinking I'm installing a registered version when it's not and I'm not interested in having only a 30 day trial, I have uninstalled the giveaway.

Despite this complaint, thanks to GAOTD for all its good work - I don't hold you responsible for misleading downloaders.

no need to click "buy now" on the initial popup - it just opens a page wanting money. Continue on.

To register right click the program's icon on the taskbar and register it there. Code is pre-pasted and then click register via internet.

I had to launch the registration process, and the serial was already filled out. Works great on x64 w7.

Desktop switching works great, and transitions well.