if you like this, you are gonna love the parent product, aston. complete desktop skinning, truely active desktops with more productive capabilities, the website is a must see... www.astonshell.com

"DexTop fits my needs better, as I can keep one desktop covered with icons, as a storage room, for all of my projects and have clean screens for the others."

Uhh... AltDesk will do the same thing. Apparently you didn't notice the first section of the preferences called "General" where it plainly has the option to select... drum roll please... "Individual set of icons for each desktop!"

DexTop fits my needs better, as I can keep one desktop covered with icons, as a storage room, for all of my projects and have clean screens for the others.

I do like the detachable controls (Dock?)for AltDesk and it is great program for those who don't use a desktop storage room as their way to organize.

I tried this out and it is kind of neat to have different wallpaper on each one. But I remember one a long time ago that did that too. I've lost it in the shuffle somehow. It also let you slide between the windows, bringing two apps side by side to work with them, you could slide over to one for detail and back to the other. It also had an option to make the main window much larger so you had a virtual desktop that was maybe 28oo by when I was running 640 by the result was you still had 640 in view but you could scroll to the rest of the screen by moving your mouse or ctrl alt a program that was off screen. It was as good or better than this one. Wish I could tell you its name. LOL

On Vista, I had to run this as an Administrator, and it also required a DEP exception. Same as #43, caulbox, “Turn off IE5 and higher compatibility mode” was set, but if it does what it says, should be cleared (unless it's a typo, maybe they meant "on" instead of "off"). I'm unlikely to use this, but you can leave it installed without running it at startup.

Installed well under Windows XP sp3, activation worked, program runs well with the administrators account I used to install. However running the software with the regular user account I use most caused an "Unregistered version" window, any tips on solving this issue?

I installed the program. Wall paper changed & so uninstalled. To my astonishment the wall paper wasnot reverted back to the original. Is it acting as a spyware? Any answer?

Good but take time to see all it can do still testing

I've always been a firm believer that it should be illegal for a great number of people to own computers and the posters of comments #31, #52 and #78 on this page make an excellent argument for that very thing.

The 16 bit requirement the three of you babble on about is one of the minimum system requirements not a requirement that you run your desktop in a 16 bit mode for Gods sake!

This app is perfectly capable of running 32 bit. Unbelievable!

Thanks for the Birthday Present. Let me tell you, its nice to have three different desktops with their own wallpapers I can switch to instantly. I removed all my shortcuts as they were in the same position on all the desktops and covered some key areas on some of my wallpapers (hehe). Now I just use Launchy and a little popup hotkey list of programs I made with Auto-It. Just use my keypad for that. I hate that mouse pointer. This is a neat lil giveaway which I do appreciate and will remain on my system. My privacy and computer security are even more enhanced by this. You guys are the best! Would I pay for this...hmmm. I will leave that one up in the air. I love anything small and efficient. And this is!

funny developer url, aston's hell!

Is there a REAL virtual desktop program available? I mean, one that provides multiple DESKTOPS, not simply multiple lists of programs. I could really use multple desktops, with different files and icons spread before me on each one. Just like the original desktop. Separate lists of programs, as others have mentioned, is of itself a bit rather useless, if the desktop under them is exactly the same on each one.

I used this all day to give it a fair tryout & I found that I really enjoyed using this. Separate desk tops so while I doing a project I can switch over to another one. This to me is a great program. I love it. Worth the price.

So... I wonder how many people are actually putting this rubbish on their hard drives only to end up never using it?
This program seemed childish to me and did'nt really do anything that Windows itself can't do!

Sure people will be saying "But HD's are really cheap these days"

So why fill it with inferior free rubbish when there's better out there that actually does more than any Windows based PC can't?

Please stop all these childish programs, free or not, they are just HD space wasters!
(I guess this accounts for the amount of thumbs up though)

Who said in the comments recently about bring back the games site for 7 days per week to keep the kids happy?? Good suggestion!!

Thanks to Fubar (post #19) )for the links to the alternate desktop switchers.

I checked out today's offering plus Dexpot, VirtuaWin and Vista/XP Virtual Desktop Manager.

Out of the four I prefer Vista/XP Virtual Desktop Manager, but I think it's really a matter of what works for you. After all we don't all drive the same type of car...

Regards, Damian.

I LOVE it! Thanks, giveawayoftheday. If it wasn't for you guys, my desktop would be a very lonely place.

I didn't think I needed it since I already use IntegryDesk for almost everything, but this program allows for swift transitions between programs. The best part are the screen capsules that show me what I've got going on in the other windows without having to open them, a little like CoolIris does for Firefox.

I've already recommended it to three friends already. This one is a keeper! People have their favorite types of programs. Mine are those that tweak my everyday experience of my computer, the way I interact with my favorite programs.

This not only improves my efficiency, but also the pure pleasure of knowing I have more control over the multiple windows that get opened in the daily course of events.

Empowerment -- that's what this is all about. For the programers, thanks for making it skinable, intuitive, and with a tiny footprint. I also like that it would cost only $15 dollars for life -- that's totally reasonable.

Like Evernote and a few other companies, your has got it going on. Good luck, and thanks for sharing with us at giveawayoftheday. The good Karma, I hope, pays for itself.

The program is good, but it messes up all the icons of the desk… and that I do not like. Sorry.

How do you register this program? Does anyone have the registration key? Thank you!

I have two Monitors which makes things pretty handy. However, AltDesk Virtual Desktop Manager has just made things even more handy.
Easy Install...
Take your time and really explore the Alt Desk Preferences and many AH-HA! moments will be your reward.
Love the Skins...
There is a bit of a problem using AltDesk on a dual Monitor Set especially when using the UtraMon Dual Monitor Software which currently nullifies using AltDesk on Both Monitors at the same time.
However, AltDesk will be used on our second PC which has a single Monitor.
Regardless, at this time I can say that AltDesk is a super Virtual Desk Top Manager.
Thank You GATOD & Gladiators Software.
Dri-Anna

Installation requires administrator privilege, how do I assign that on windows 2000 pro?

I've never used one of these before and just spend a pleasant hour or so setting this up. Installed easily, worked well: a keeper, I thought. Then my computer froze. Solid. Lost all settings for the program as well as some (minor) work in progress.

I'm running Vista Ultimate, no idea what the problem was, but am now uninstalling. Reluctantly giving this a thumbs down as I can't imagine I'm the only one who's likely to have this problem.

WOW WOW WOW! I really love this one! I can already see how this will help to organize my tasks and help me to become more productive. And it's so easy to use! There is absolutely no learning curve. Again, this is a software program I would have never gotten on a trial basis. But, now that I have tried it, I would have no problem paying for it when the free licence expires. Thanks very much!

@ #54

I'm not sure if this is what you mean, but maybe this will help.

Preferences>>General>> look for "General Behavior" (on the right). I put a tick/checkmark at "Individual set of icons for each desktop" and that gave me a fresh desktop for each virtual desktop.

Hope it helps.

I might download it. On other hand I might not. Come back later and will let you know my decision.

This is my first experience with a program like this,and I think it's great.
Install was a breeze.
With my old comp,I'm not so sure how many programs I can have running at once,but I have 3-5 almost all the time.
Love the fact that I can have different wallpaper on all desktops.

Thanks much.

Great software, a keeper for sure. Installed on 2 Vista HP Pc's and one XP SP2 without any problems. Activated fine and I see real value with virtual dashboards rather than clutter of taskbar items I had before! Thank you GAOTD.

I have been using this for eight hours now and love it! If it were not free I would gladly pay $15.00 for it

I just have one question. who in their right minds going to run the display on a new computer in 16 bit graphics mode?
I have programs installed that I use all the time that will not even display properly in 16 bit graphics mode. Can anyone supply an answer that makes sense unless you have an older machine? The system requirements alone make this useless to me! Imagine that!!!

question?

I downloaded and used and find it doesn't meet my wants. I LOVE Ubuntus ability to scroll with the mouse wheel on the desktop and switch that way, and I don't like another item on my desktop. I saw the control panel can be run in the tray only, but don't see a mouse wheel option. If I have to go to the tray or the tool on the desktop, I may as well maximize a minimized program instead.

Do any of the optional programs people are listing allow the mouse wheel to change desktops?

I'm sure [though I'm yet to be tried]that its' a good program [It's an ASTON product!].I tried aston desktop a few years ago [win 98 regime]and find an awesome looks & feel.Nevertheless,this kind of programs do not serve my purpose.
The size is amazing indeed.
By the way, I'm taking back my comment that I made earlier about "East-Tec Eraser".I was damn wrong...Sorry GAoTD guys..Its' really useful and it is mentionable that that s/w ["East-Tec Eraser"]could solve some of my irritating problems.I remomed "-", "zzzzzzzz" folders without any hitch.[Eraser,Glary and CCleaner failed previously ;(]. What's more, this is NOT just another file shredding program;it is more more worthy
I don't know whether I am going to use this one but a thumb up anyway!!

Downloaded and installed fine, No registration problems.
With the work bar showing on my screen I loaded 3 windows, with 3 programs each.
It loaded all programs in each window and I had no problem switching from work, Play and Relax windows.

However with all that said I still did not like the way the program felt while using it, and the interface was not as expected. Once the programs was loaded, if you exit one you have to shut down the others to get just the one back. (Bummer)

For me it's a thumbs down, even if I am a newbie on the program.

Thanks GAOTD and Gladiators Software.

Running Windows XP Pro 64-bit SP2

I played with the M$ Deskman powertoy, http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx for a long time, which gives you four virtual desktops on XP, and found it of little use for me.

You have to be a real power user with maybe nine apps open all the time for it to be useful. On a forum someone asked what possible use virtual desktops could be, and one pro graphics guy who kept 10 or so apps on all the time so he could work and respond instantly to clients and so forth found virtual desktops useful, but for most people I would think it is just as easy to click the icon in the taskbar to bring up an application as to click on the icon for a virtual desktop if you never run more than two or three apps at a time.

This program is in a category I call “borderline”. The true value cannot be summed up in brief. I think a person whose primary use of a PC is casual (used for gaming, surfing, chat rooms, email, a tool for alleviating boredom, etc) will have a hard time seeing value worthy enough for an install. However, for someone who has a job or is a student, whose livelihood is dependent on his or her PC, I think may find this program to be a winner. As for me, it's certainly worth the effort to install the program and work with it for a while. So I’ll reserve judgment and post my thoughts about it in the forum. It does not take long to uninstall, but after 24 hours that option will be inapplicable.

this is a good prog though i do wish we could have more screen savers

Has installed easily; not sure whether I shall find it useful, but we'll see. Thank you.

I think Dexpot is still better. I like that Dexpot puts icons in the System Tray for switching. That would be a great improvement for this software.

You are right #47 - GOSCREEN does not compare (favourably) with ALTDESK as you need to pay for it!! so why mention it

Seems to work fine on Vista HP, no administrator requests etc ..

Loaded on XP machine only as I am unsure about the Vista Administrator capability. However I love it, so I might well try it over there also.

Particularly like the feature that allows you to drag n drop programs from one virtual desktop to another.

Definitely a keeper for me. Thanks GOTD

wow very cool, you can do up to 16x16 virtual windows (256 in total!) And allows you to set hotkeys for them too!
it displays a small window as well, and when you put your mouse over it, it bring up a small window of what it is, like vista's preview.

It is a very nice program, I suggest getting it

Hey! I like this. It's too easy, it's tightly coded (I LOVE that, being an old-school programmer from back in the days when every bit mattered. That's right, I used a slide-rule, and later I used IBM punch cards.), I can move applications from one screen to another. And JOY! I can have multiple instances of SPSS open. The version that I have doesn't allow multiple files open.

This is a very handy, beautifully written little piece of software. I like it very, very much. Thank you GAOTD for bringing cool stuff like this to us! Woot, woot!

I have tried it for the last couple of hours and have notice the following:

1. When I click on a link in an email in one desktop it opens up my browser in another desktop.
2. If I open photoshop and click on another desktop it grabs part of photoshop screen to this new desktop. Specifically the info and layers palette.

This is too buggy for me to use. Thanks anyways

Glad to see it is useful to others! For me, I prefer to just use my taskbar, even if I had 20 things open, but that's just me. I didn't like the way it made my window for explorer go 1/2 transparent just cause it to be 1/2 transparent! That was a big cause to uninstall. It does work & installed fine on XP sp2. takes up little room on my screen. I just don't need it. Which is unimportant to how good it is.

As I said in my message to the company when I uninstalled, (They actually care enough to ask why!) I do appreciate the chance to evaluate it, & any company who gives a program out here & wants our opinions, I see as being a company who believes in their product & shows an INTEGRITY that is very admirable! Thanks to Gladiators Software/Aston & to GOTD!

By the way. $28.00 for goscreen.
Today's offering from GOTD is FREE!!!!!!!!

#47 Ben

Your weekly paycheck from goscreen is in the mail.

LOL

Whoops, I was wrong, sorry. It only changes the wallpaper, which doesn't do what I want. Anyone know of a VDM that gives me a virgin desktop to play with?

(Noob writing, so take this with a grain of salt)

It's a nice simple program, with a few more options and a nicer interface than some of the others free ones mentioned. Though I've only had a few minutes with it, it seems to be able to do two things some of the other freeware I saw didn't 1. It can have a larger number of desktops. and 2. Change the walpaper behind the open windows. I like having one desktop full of icons, so that I can keep thing "I've gots to do eventually" cluttering the screen (not all that effective of a technique until the screen is full, but that's about the time I buy a bigger monitor :) ) This way I can have others that are not so distracting.

Wow. I find this desktop manager to be an excellent way to stay organized and productive. It is extremely lightweight and simple, yet has enough advanced features to be very customizable, and can be tailored to specific needs.
If you like the uncluttered minimalist look, as I do, consider downloading the "LAV's simple" skin.
A great little program inside and out.

I guess the real question is why does this cost money to do in Windows, while it's free and built-in to all of the GUIs available in Linux.

I have to admit that I like the program more than i thought I would. It works great, is very intuitive and was a breeze to install.