A feature in Linux which has been around for quite some time is virtual desktops. That is desktop “views” you can switch between which have different applications open and running. If you want to add this functionality to Windows, take a look at the Sysinternals tool, 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.
The nice thing about having “multiple” desktops is you can segregate your applications into logical groupings as opposed to cluttering up your primary desktop. For example, you could have your web browser and email open on one, your music library on another and your development tools on a third and swap between them using hotkeys.
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Haven’t tried this, but I’ve been using “Virtual Dimension” (http://virt-dimension.sourceforge.net/) for a long while now and have no intention of switching.
Virtual Dimension allows unlimited desktops, which is probably the biggest reason why I won’t try “Desktops”. It’s shareware, and occasionally exhibits a few bugs, such as crashes, “losing windows” (which can be found again by restarting Virtual Dimension), and the inability to restrict certain windows (e.g. Valve Steam windows, and other windows that don’t use the Windows API) to a single desktop. But all of these are very few and far between, and overall the program is very stable. There’s lots more to be said about it, but that’s not really material for this comment.
Just thought I’d post this as a alternative option. Sysinternals Desktops sounds a lot like the Microsoft virtual desktop powertoy, of which I forget the name, and which is also limited in its number of desktops (and is otherwise VERY MUCH NOT RECOMMENDED by me).
Don’t remember where I came across Virtual Dimension, and it may even have been in a Daily Tip in the past (or was the result of searching for other virtual desktop applications when the MS powertoy failed to be… good).
Definitely worth a try. I believe it’s a 30-day free trial, but if you do end up liking it (I can’t live without it now) the price is very minimal.
I might think about at least trying Sysinternals Dekstops, but to be honest, I don’t feel like closing out the 20-30 apps I currently have running on 6 desktops, between the four monitors on two PCs (using Synergy to control both)
I’d love to hear how it works though.