Group icons and work with multiple desktops

May 5, 2015 08:05 GMT  ·  By

Performing your work on a PC implies filling your desktop with files and folders you need to have them at your fingertips. However, this can lead to more time spent for finding them, rather than an efficient workflow.

Microsoft wants to solve this issue in the next iteration of Windows by introducing multiple desktops. Until then, you can practice using more workspaces, and there’s just the program for that.

In fact, described below you find two applications and how they can be used to arrange your workspace a little better.

Creating and using multiple desktops

Step 1: Download, install, and run Dexpot.

Three additional desktops are automatically created. These can be viewed through taskbar icons or system tray menu.

Step 2: Right-click the tray icon menu and hit Settings to configure general rules.

Step 3: Choose the number of desktops which can be up to twenty.

Step 4 (optional): Go through Appearance, components, and controls to customize visual settings and hotkeys.

Step 5: Access the Switching Desktops tab and check the box to Customize desktop icons. This keeps all other desktops clean; otherwise, you find the same icons on all of them.

Note: The level of customization gives you the freedom of making each desktop as if accessed from a separate computer. You can set individual backgrounds, screen resolutions, window rules, names, and a lot more.

Grouping icons together in containers

Step 1: Download, install, and run Fences.

Step 2: Select a few files and hit Create new fence from these icons.

Step 3: Drag the new container and keep it for a couple of seconds near the edge of the screen. It automatically switches to a new desktop.

Switching back is done by dragging the edge of the screen, just as you navigate through menus on your mobile phone. This feature is especially handy when used on touch-supported Windows PCs.

Deleting a container is simply done by pressing the X on the top right corner. It can also delete the files it contains.

Folder Portals let you access content of any folder on your computer directly from the desktop. It’s done by box selection on an empty desktop space and pressing the Folder Portal button.

More customization options can be found, regarding both visuals and functionality. Although it’s not free, the thirty-day trial is enough to help you decide whether or not it enhances your workflow.

Better file management with more desktops (8 Images)

More desktop space
Configuring desktopsSwitching to a second desktop
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