Installed in Program Files x86, works perfectly but when I tried installing on Windows XP 64 bit it crashes straight away. BTW This program reminds me of a Program I created in Visual Basic 5 years ago similar to what it can do. I'd rather stick to a program I can make myself than pay $40.

Another free alternative - the one I use for ages: http://www.dvasoft.com/fast_launcher/

Most of the comments here are of the personal nature. In that commenters are writing about their experience with the software as opposed to informing the uninformed. Tell us if the software was diffucult to load, how useful it is and most importantly does it do what the developers/company says it does. This site I'm sure is not a place to get/give referrals. That is very confusing to us novice users. Tell us your machine specs so we can compare it to ours. I'm sure this site respects your time and honestyand experience I know I do. Again speaking as a novice user who is trying to get better give us more techical details. They are very helpful and educational. signed , a not so tecnical user. Thanks.

@ #40 Benjamin, you are kidding VIPRE! How many more posts from knuckleheads about potential harm from a site using second rate AV software and WOT. First I would think that the GOTD team has vetted the companies before accepting them as advertisers.

Best way to check a site is to use virustotal.com if you think the site is harmful - noobs!!!

PA

Running Windows Vista & XP
Downloaded installed and registered fine.

I thought the program over all was smart, worked fine and easy to use. The learning cure almost zero. Ran fine on both XP and Vista Home.
I like the fact that right clicking on the center icon gives you all the main options like settings, switching the picture and user name. power options, Locking the computer, etc like the main control board. I also like that they have implemented simple drag and drop of your icons to the launch menu.

Under settings you can expand your circle of icons for more if you need them or have as few as 8. I also like the fact that I could under the groups settings also add my Portable hard drives as a folder icon and in the link box just type the letter of the drive ( I:, H:, etc) and have them conected to the launch menu for when I have them plugged in.

I like the fact that it makes my desktop look cleaner yet having full access to all my programs if needed.

I would like to make 2 suggestions to the company.

1. I would suggest to lower the price as as you see many people can name many other programs that can do the same thing and for Free. I myself like the Start8 Menu Launcher and I am able to create my own skins for that Launcher.

2.I think it would be nice if you added a setting to allow the user to change the background on their desktop right from the Launch menu or have it be able to be Skinable to allow for others to use their creativity.

Over all the program is fine and I liked it.
Thanks GOTD and XUS for the Download.

This program looked interesting so I tried it. Thumbs down for now, I'm hoping they can improve it. As stated before, the hot keys (that cannot be changed) are already in use by other system functions. I was finally able to create a new group, only to find it won't let me have groups within groups. I like how everything can be accessed by typing letters, very easy to get to most things with a key sequence like Alt-Space, B, 3. But it seems to stop responding a lot, requiring me to click on the systray icon to revive it. It doesn't play well with VirtuaWin, the multi-desktop program I prefer: the icon ring briefly appears when I hit alt-space, then it's gone, if I'm on anything other than the first desktop window. I'm using Vista Home Premium (32 bit), Quad-core Dell XPS, with Nvidia GTX 550 Ti graphics, MS Security Essentials for antivirus, Online Armor firewall.

I have tried them all (nearly all of them), because I am a fan of lauchers. The very best, complete and slim, is runit. You may have 4 menus with sub-menus, accessible with a right clic anywhere on each of the 4 edges of the screen. You can put programs, text files, documents, url, anything for immediate access. Works on all version of windows, from 95 to 7 64bits. Free and small and totally unobstrusive. http://www.magister-lex.at/RUNit/ take the runit21beta6a.zip

To the developer no matter what you type in the idea informer it tells you similar ideas have been put forward. Even if you type see a one legged talking duck drive a car.

I would develop your program in the direction of a portable app launcher, and your website in the direction of a host of links to open source portable programs adding their variety and functions to your approach and building a community of users with different interests.

Re Developers comment 32)
"As XUS Desktop’s developer, we are so sad to read these reviews. Today on GOTD, We giveaway XUS Desktop to you guys as a freeware. and you guys did not give us any useful idea. "

I beg to differ. It maybe that the developers could have learnt a very useful lesson, not to spend any more time flogging a dead horse.
Instead progam something people want and are willing to pay for , or upgrade to, rather than compete with something which is also available on multitude freeware offerings.

Whether the developers take that view of course is their prerogative. I just make the point that sometimes negative reviews can be be more informative than heaps of praise!

Sorry, but I will still with my LDB Quick Execute. It's small, fast, and reliable, this one is kinda slow, and buggy as all heck. I honestly recommend using LDB Quick Execute. You will not be disappointing.

I'm sure this is an OK program though it seems kind of limited for what it costs. I use the free MadApLauncher,which is nothing fancy to look at, but very functional. It allows you to categorize programs and folders and switch between them with a tabbed interface that takes up a limited amount of desktop space. You can assign hot keys to all of the programs in each tab. https://sites.google.com/site/madapplauncher/

An alternative, in case the negative reviews for XUS give you cause for concern:
I got Berokyo at BDJ a couple years ago for $8.00 and use it on XP Pro with 192 programs installed. It slides out of view, can be customized, is easy to use, and has never caused any issues for me. Cnet reviewed it with praise though there are some neg user comments regarding use in conjunction with Win 7. I continue to use XP Pro because it is stable for trading software and I was tired of getting burned by Mr. Bill -- 98, ME & Vista Ultimate, eg.




http://download.cnet.com/Berokyo/3000-2344_4-10921707.html

As XUS Desktop’s co-developer, I must apologize for the language my partner used in his drug induced rant. This is why we try to keep him in his cubicle for long periods of time and keep him coffee deprived. Once again I apologize for his behavior and we will not allow him to do any more real development other than updates to the "care bears go to Manhattan" game.

Actually, I've realized after using this site that a lot of the people here are far too judging for products that are being given away free.
I am not claiming this software is a prophetic gift from the Gods or that it will meet everyone's needs but I managed to run it fine with i7 win7 Pro 64 8gb ram and I have Display Fusion Pro and Iconoid (also great Win7 appearance programs to check out) running alongside with no glitches whatsoever.
IMP NOTE FOR XUS SOFT!
To the company XUS SOFT, you may want to add that a great alternative for windows 64 bit users like myself is to simply do the obvious and right click and assign shortcuts (also easy to do) as that doesn't mess with your UAC settings.
OR at least clarify that adjusting UAC will need a reboot (takes much longer than assigning manually vs drag & drop for win 64) and add statement that after adding shortcuts you can go back and change UAC to default settings.
I used to turn that off but I realized with the amount of constant usage my laptop gets even with the best AV software, certain programs can maliciously install so I just keep UAC on as a reminder.
As an aside the whole blink screen process to affirm (UAC) takes a lot less time if you have a powerful system :)

BOTTOM LINE: Small install looks nice and is actually pretty useful considering all options incl right clicking on center icon

I tried this software sometime ago and didn't find it useful at all. The circle concept didn't make sense in relation to other desktop organizing software as it clutters the desktop by not removing the original icons. I have found that using Fences by Star Dock does an excellent job of organizing the desktop. As an alternative for launching programs, I prefer Object Dock, also from Star Dock. Both are freeware for personal use with full functionality available (doesn't really much) for a nominal fee.

http://www.stardock.com/
http://www.stardock.com/products/fences/
http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/

#28 Xwindows Dock mimics the mac icon bar better than rocketdock, try it.

I want to thank all of active commenters and especially to THANK John (#17 ).I solved my
desktop problem.Please, let my comment to be being on this page.

To XUS, currently at #32:

Instead of chastising some posters for their critical remarks, and lamenting about it, why don't you address their legitimate issues and offer some solutions to the problems they have encountered with your software and with some other issues? For example: post #2, #35, or #40. That would be more constructive and more helpful to those of us who are considering downloading, installing and testing your software.

#32 - XUSSoft Team: Your company will never get anywhere with comments like these! You should get some training in customer service as well as in English. Your comments do not entice me to buy any products from you.

My desktop is covered in icons. )-; Everything gets placed there initially.
They are all gone in 30 seconds with my favourite - AutoHideDesktopIcons
A HUGE 20KB utility.

http://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Microsoft/AutoHideDesktopIcons

For the Recycle Bin, I was confused about my right and left. Left click offers just to empty, but right click offers open and empty.

To developers
1. Open Settings window before launching the application for the first time
2. Hide the active desktop background icons
3. Don't automatically add empty shortcuts to the desktop
4. Don't automatically add predefined shortcuts like Microsoft office suit group
5. Pressing Win Key+D for running other program from the desktop also minimizes the program, which makes difficult when you have disabled desktop icons in the background
6. I found the all programs group provided doesn't work properly when opening folders
7. Register option is still available even after activation of the software
If these are all fixed this might be a good piece of software

It downloaded and started fine on XP. The appearance looks good on startup, really nice new icons. There are a few bugs in the groups the program makes for the user. 'My Computer' group is correct, but 'Recycle Bin' is confusing. If you right click, it will ask if you want to empty the 'Recycle Bin', if you left click, then it will allow you to 'open or 'empty'. This is the only icon that has different features for the left click, the rest has 'add shortcut,' 'delete,' 'move,' and 'properties.' The 'All Programs group' really has bugs; this group contains all the current desktop items. When I click on anything that isn't a program, for example; another folder or .txt file, it won't open the item that it should be, it opens a program on the list. The next group, 'System Folders & Drives Group', I am not sure how the program figures what should be there, but when you click on any folder or drive on the list only Yahoo Messenger opens up. The 'Accessories Group' is nice, but it doesn't correspond to the Accessories folder on the Start Menu. I will go next to 'Internet', it only opens IE, I have Chrome also, you can't just add Chrome via drag and drop as you can on the 'Blank Shortcut.' The menu that comes up when you right click the center icon has good options to utilize this program, I wouldn't change the size of the icons, but there is an option to do that. I am not sure if I will keep this program or not with these bugs in the system, but I hope that you can use the information that I have given. I have XP pro, sp3.

Another straight forward one is Coolbarz. I use both MedalFolders and this one. Both are also free.
http://www.bryntyounce.com/coolbarz.htm

Here is one I have been using called nexus @ http://www.winstep.net/nexus.asp and it works on Windows Vista 32 and 64, home premium and ultimate, win7 64 home premium win8 consumer preview 64 the free version is full packed with most all of the things needed and more for about half what XUS price is,
I don't usually comment on something I did not try first, but in this case,yes.
Why, first off too many bugs with install or to run the program as posted here and this sounds like an unfinished product that has not been tested enough, axa beta.
I understand that GOTD is to do gust that, give a developer a chance to fine tune there product, but a product that has numerous issues and then tagging on a high price tag with limited fetchers compared to other free ware and lower cost with more functionality is just not a
good practice in these economic times.
Lower the price and work out the bugs.

For a straight forward launcher without the eye candy and no bugs try MedalFolders.
http://www.medalware.com/medalfolders.php

No need for the negative comments.. This app may appeal to some people out there, but I (and it seems most of the users of this site)have no need for it. I think this is software for those that don't understand what they already have as part of their operating system anyway and don't want to take the time to learn.. and there is alot of those people out there. That being said.. the majority of this group really do not fit that description.

Thank you for the offer

Thank you XUS and GAOTD. I've been hoping to see this appear.
I've used it before and it's a nice program.
It is annoying to have to disable UAC every time you want to add a shortcut, but that's about the only annoying thing for me.
It's a giveaway so take it or leave it. Despite all the comments i'm sure some people will appreciate it.
So thanks.

One that I have been using for a few years now... 8Start. free, works well, totally customizable. Either sits on your desktop or activates with hot key or middle mouse button

I have absolutely NOTHING on my desktop? Anything that is there needs attention, and once dealt with the desktop is clear again.

Things I use all the time on in Rocket Dock which slides into view as and when I need it, and everything else is taken up by my choice of categories on the Start Menu.

Using the computer many hours each day, with 684 installed programs, everything is to hand exactly where I want it to be.

I see no need for a program to do what Windows 7 already does perfectly, being much more customisable that today's offering anyway.

Try this free one: www.rocketdock.com

I benefit from other's suggestions here just as much as the free downloads. Just returning the favor. Thanks all!!

"VIPRE has determined that the site
you are trying to visit contains potentially harmful or objectionable content.

To proceed to this site: In VIPRE, open
"File/Settings/Firewall" and add the URL to
"Bad Web Site Exceptions..."

----------------------

Thanks but no thanks....

Used it on Win7 x64, it works properly.

Now, more space of taskbar has been released, it is very stylish and useful, I love this giveaway.

Many thanks to the author and this site.

I use Launchy (free) and find it to be quite adequate
http://www.launchy.net/

I have this programon my laptop. Windows 7 64bit from last GOTD. I like it. Easy to use. You don't have to have a circle of icons, you can minimize it to just the X and drag it down to the corner. That way
you have a clean desktop.

I have my own desktop folders with logical and associated programs in them, this giveaway has no hierarchical set up option.

The shortcuts are all intermingled with other program shortcuts and difficult to remember them all.

If you load several program via this menu, I get memory corruption errors.

Waste of time to install and remove it.

Why not organize your desktop icons into folders. Audio, Video, Pictures, Maintenance, Budget, Internet...etc. The most you will have are 9 or 10 folders (and my computer and the trash can). That's easy and you don't have to have a program eating up space.

Wastage of my 3 mb data for making acircle on my desktop.

As XUS Desktop's developer, we are so sad to read these reviews. Today on GOTD, We giveaway XUS Desktop to you guys as a freeware. and you guys did not give us any useful idea. if you do not like XUS Desktop ,you could uninstall it. if you want to improve XUS Desktop, You could share your idea. We came here not for "Ask why this product has such poor user reviews on CNET?" IS IT AN IDEA? Jesus Christ! Maybe our product is not so good. at least there are still 20% people like it. And lots of customers paid for it. You Guys don't have to discredit it. Because everyone knows what they are doing, waht they want, what they like, and what is right...You guys just be nice. BTW We are not going to make it free. We are software developers. It is our business, not a hobby. We want to continue working on this program. Sorry for my strong words!

I still have the clock that XUS Software offered us a while ago. I think it is cute.

Whenever I look at a sales page and the English is poorly written, I wonder about the product itself. Also, a minor point, but the sales page says everybody in the world gets it for $19.99 and, yet, they advertise here the regular cost as $39.99 . . . together it makes me suspicious of putting it on my computer.

Ah! Yes, on another Wiki link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dock_applications

Not mentioned on the Wiki.

RocketDock v.1.3.5 from Punk Software:

http://rocketdock.com/

Just place an Apple decal on your laptop, and you're good to go.

What I would like to see is this implementation work on Win 64 platform.

"Make your Windows desktop clear and beautiful" really? Beauty is "inthe eye of the beholder" and I don't see how this program makes anything beautiful; small point I guess, buts distracts from the believability of the "pitch" as we say in the USA. Comments here and ratings persuaded me not to download it.

I'm VERY curious why users, such as number 1 and number 6, feel that this program costs money. Possibly they are not aware that this website is called GIVE AWAY of the day, as in FREE. Why would you possibly write that you'll "save the $40.00 this time." That causes you to appear, well, one fry short of a happy meal!

Windows XP desktop with icons and folders of icons is an excellent interface.
The Windows taskbar area where you can park icons adds to this excellence.

Your software does not match this excellence already present in Windows XP desktop.

I found the answer to my problem of not being able to drag and drop on Windows 7 x64:
http://www.xussoft.com/xusdesktop/faq.html

Turns out I have to decrease my computer's security to "Don't notify me when programs attempt make changes to my computer. AND I have to change the setting of the program to run in administrator mode.

It's definitely not worth lowering my security settings. Thanks anyway.

Well, honestly I can't understand why this program got so many negative comments and ratings so far.

Ok...it's not bug free but, for what it does, for sure it deserves much more than 22% THUMBS UP!!

That being said, as always, with the right tools & tips, PC users can do the same things as this GAOTD for FREE!!!

For instance, to organize your Windows desktop icons easily, just use the award-winning and hassle-free freeware FENCES:

http://www.stardock.com/products/fences/

Want to launch your frequent programs with a couple of mouse clicks?

If so, let's give the excellent portable freeware "QuickCliq" a whirl:

http://apathysoftworks.com/software/qc

Full review here:
http://dottech.org/freeware-reviews/27794/quick-cliq-is-a-multi-function-portable-app-launcher-and-productivity-tool/

Alternatively, less advanced users may find handier give LaunchDock and/or LINX a try:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Launchers-Shutdown-Tools/LaunchDock-Pulsar.shtml
http://code.google.com/p/linx-lists/

But how about a FREE launcher which can recognise any program you want to run through MOUSE GESTURES?? Yes dudes...you heard me righ...MOUSE GESTURES....LOL!!

Too good to be true?? Certainly not:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Launchers-Shutdown-Tools/Gesture-Magic.shtml

Finally, if you want to automatically clean up your messy PC (so not just your DESKTOP icons as this GAOTD does), the awesome freeware app BELVEDERE is the right tool for you!!

http://lifehacker.com/341950/belvedere-automates-your-self+cleaning-pc

Enjoy!!

$ 40 just to move and organice icons, what a deal. Can I get volume licencing for this? Can this move file from one compter to another?

Installed and registered on my W/7 x64 but when I drag shortcuts it just says "Blank Shortcut" and the shortcut doesn't appear so I find the actual .exe file and drag that with the same results. (I have tried dragging to the icons and the center box to no avail) So I just have this circle of generic Windows icons.
I'll leave this installed for now but unless the developer or some XUS Desktop fan provides some insight on what I might be doing wrong, I will just uninstall at the end of the giveaway.