As mentioned in my previous post (Image Resizer – A PowerToy you shouldn’t be without) I will introduce you to the idea of a Virtual Desktop Manager.

Virtual Desktop Manager (VDM) is another PowerToy made by Microsoft developers for Windows XP. this PowerToy creates four virtual desktops which can be switched to one by one and used to run different applications, windows, programs, movies or even music.

VDM would mainly be suitable for the more advanced user but is also suitable for the multitasking user who wishes to get more out of their screen real estate.

Every virtual desktop can have its own window, program etc open which wont be linked to any of the other 3 virtual desktops allowing you to multi task more easily and efficiently without worrying about closing or minimizing your important windows.

As seen in the screenshot above, pressing Windows Key + V (default shortcut) or clicking the VDM green button in your taskbar shown below will load all four virtual desktops giving you a preview of what each desktop has running.

From this view, you may click any window to “go into” that desktop and use it as a “separate computer”.

VDM has a few options can just disable the quick switch buttons (blue 1, 2, 3, 4) that allow you to quickly switch to a specific virtual desktop, shortcut options which allow you to assign new shortcuts for the preview window and the four desktops and the desktop wallpaper options which give you the opportunity to set a different wallpaper to each virtual desktop.

VDM by Microsoft is not the best or the greatest virtual desktop manager but for its size and its effectiveness you can’t go past it. When all you want or need are virtual desktops VDM by Microsoft passes with flying colours.

Like mentioned above, VDM may come in handy when one desktop just isn’t enough.

Thanks,

Marat