Microsoft Desktops
Open and manage up to four virtual desktops


Desktops allows you to organize your applications on up to four virtual desktops. Read email on one, browse the web on the second, and do work in your productivity software on the third, without the clutter of the windows you’re not using.

After you configure hotkeys for switching desktops, you can create and switch desktops either by clicking on the tray icon to open a desktop preview and switching window, or by using the hotkeys.

Using Desktops

Unlike other virtual desktop utilities that implement their desktops by showing the windows that are active on a desktop and hiding the rest, Sysinternals Desktops uses a Windows desktop object for each desktop.

Application windows are bound to a desktop object when they are created, so Windows maintains the connection between windows and desktops and knows which ones to show when you switch a desktop. That making Sysinternals Desktops very lightweight and free from bugs that the other approach is prone to where their view of active windows becomes inconsistent with the visible windows.

Desktops reliance on Windows desktop objects means that it cannot provide some of the functionality of other virtual desktop utilities, however. For example, Windows doesn't provide a way to move a window from one desktop object to another, and because a separate Explorer process must run on each desktop to provide a taskbar and start menu, most tray applications are only visible on the first desktop. Further, there is no way to delete a desktop object, so Desktops does not provide a way to close a desktop, because that would result in orphaned windows and processes. The recommended way to exit Desktops is therefore to logoff.

Win 2000/XP/Vista

Dexpot
Simple virtual desktop program

With Dexpot you may have separate virtual desktops for different applications. One desktop might feature applications for graphic design, for example, and another might feature your business applications.

Switch between virtual desktops in order to keep track of your open windows. Using Dexpot, you'll considerably increase your workflow.

You'll love Dexpot, because

Tremendously increases your work efficiency.
Looks up to date, tidy and has a lovely design.

Fast set-up. Plenty of features. Yet easy to use.
Can be expanded with plugins. Results in small memory footprint.

Stunning 3D transition effects. Only if you like them.
Supports stylish wallpaper clocks (*.wcz).

Last Updated 21 July 2011
Win 2000/XP/Vista/7

VirtualBox
A general-purpose full virtualizer targeted at server, desktop and embedded use

VirtualBox is a powerful x86 and AMD64/Intel64 virtualization product for enterprise as well as home use. Not only is VirtualBox an extremely feature rich, high performance product for enterprise customers, it is also the only professional solution that is freely available as Open Source Software under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL). See "About VirtualBox" for an introduction.

Presently, VirtualBox runs on Windows, Linux, Macintosh and OpenSolaris hosts and supports a large number of guest operating systems including but not limited to Windows (NT 4.0, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista, Windows 7), DOS/Windows 3.x, Linux (2.4 and 2.6), Solaris and OpenSolaris, and OpenBSD.

VirtualBox is being actively developed with frequent releases and has an ever growing list of features, supported guest operating systems and platforms it runs on. VirtualBox is a community effort backed by a dedicated company: everyone is encouraged to contribute while Sun ensures the product always meets professional quality criteria.

Last Updated 21 January 2011
Win XP/7
MAC
Linux
OpenSolaris

VMware Player
Run any virtual machine on a Windows or Linux PC

VMware Player is the easiest way to run multiple operating systems at the same time on your PC.

With its user-friendly interface, VMware Player makes it effortless for anyone to try out Windows 7, Chrome OS or the latest Linux releases, or create isolated virtual machines to safely test new software and surf the Web.

VMware Player can also be used to run a virtual copy of an old PC so that you can recycle the old machines you have under your desk or stored in the closet.

Better than Windows XP Mode
Run legacy Windows XP applications with better graphics, faster performance, and tighter integration than Windows XP mode offers. With Unity, shared folders and drag and drop convenience, VMware Player is the better way to run Windows XP on Windows 7. Use VMware vCenter Converter to transform your existing Windows PC into a virtual machine and eliminate the need to re-install and re-configure your existing applications which is necessary with Windows XP Mode.

Easiest Way to Play with Virtualization
VMware Player allows anyone to try new operating systems without rebooting. Easy Install makes creating virtual machines with the latest 32-bit and 64-bit Windows and Linux operating systems easier than installing them directly on your PC. Run over 200 supported operating systems including Windows 7, Chrome OS, Ubuntu 10.04, and many other versions of Windows, Linux, and more.

Safest Way to Try New Software
Run corporate virtual machines, experiment with new operating systems, or safely try and test new software in an isolated environment on your PC. VMware Player is the ideal way to try out a virtual appliance. Virtual appliances are pre-built, pre-configured and ready-to-run enterprise software applications packaged along with an operating system in a virtual machine. Quickly and easily experience the benefits of these applications without the installation or configuration hassles.

Most Advanced Virtualization Platform
Built on over 10 years of virtualization excellence, run the most demanding applications with VMware Player’s advanced memory and CPU management technology. Run 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems with up to eight virtual CPUs and 32GB of RAM dedicated to each virtual machine. Driverless printing makes your PC printers automatically accessible to your Windows and Linux virtual machines—no configuration or drivers required.

Last Updated 02 June 2010
Win XP/7
Linux Ubuntu 9.10 and RHEL 5

Monitors
Creates 10 virtual desktops

You run lots of programms at the same time and you have lost the control for every process? This tool will help you by emulating 10 desktops!

You will only see the programms, which has been started in the current desktop. If you've started a program in a "wrong" desktop, you can easily send it to one of the other 9 ones. This is a real Desktop Clean Up!
You can switch between the monitors by selecting them in the main window.

Win 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003

Virtual Desktop Toolbox

Too many windows on your desktop? Switching between programs is fastidious? Wanting to use multiple user contexts while running a single Windows session?

Virtual Desktop Toolbox enlarges your monitor by dynamically creating multiple virtual or non virtual desktops. You can organize programs and windows by categories in different desktops, share programs and windows between desktops, group your desktops within a virtual screen and easily and quickly (one mouse move) switch from one desktop to another one.

Win NT/2000/XP

multiDesk

multiDesk is a virtual screens application that allows users to have multiple virtual screens on one monitor. It is like having multiple desktops. You can organize applications into different desktops. This way, your screen will not be cluttered with fifty six opened windows, and you will be able to find an application quickly.

The next best thing to multiDesk is a shovel.
Fast, robust, small and easy to use.

Win 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP

Virtual Desktop Manager Powertoy
4 virtual destops for XP

Virtual Desktop Manager is a Microsoft Powertoy for Windows XP. It allows you to maintain up to 4 different desktops, each with it`s own applications and desktop wallpapers.
It integrates into the taskbar and allows you to quickly switch between your virtual desktops.

You can also assign keyboard hotkeys to switch between or preview all 4 desktops at once.
For example, you can open your e-mail program on one desktop, an Internet chess game on the second, several Internet sessions on the third, and multiple database sessions on the fourth.

Win XP

Virtual Desktop

Too many open windows on your desktop at a time? Virtual Desktop will create new desktops for you and let you to switch between desks and windows quick and easy.

Virtual Desktop is built as a service and requires only 2MB ram memory to work.

Virtual Desktop is freeware and comes with full Delphi sources.

Win NT/2000/XP

Desktop Manager

Desktop Manager is my own pet project to implement a (hopefully) easy to use virtual desktop manager for OS X. I've put it up here in the hope that it will be useful to others.

Features
Have any number of named virtual 'screens' (up to available memory) to arrange your programs on. Have one screen to keep your mail programs, one for web-browsing, one for work. The possibilities are almost endless.
Exciting switch transitions to make all your Windows/Linux using friends green with envy.
Control switching via fully configurable 'hotkeys'.
Get an instant overview of your desktops via a status-bar based 'pager'.
Move windows around in desktops via a desktop-based 'pager'.
Desktop pager compatible with CodeTek VirtualDesktop skins.
Move windows between desktops easily via status-bar menu or Exposé-like 'Operations Menu'.
Sticky window support - have one window on all desktops.
Active edge support - switch desktop when the mouse moves past the edge of the screen.
Desktop notification bezel - pops up on desktop switch to help you orient yourself.
Current desktop name available on desktop background to help you keep track.
Small, unobtrusive app - can be made to be totally invisible if you want. Designed to get out of your way and act like a part of the OS.

MAC