Multiple Desktops: Dexpot, Hydravision

Dexpot

Highly configurable, Dexpot brings multiple desktops to the Windows user.  It’s not quite as seamless as the workspaces that your typical Linux user enjoys (to be expected from a third-party app, really), but it comes close and it’s a handy tool nonetheless.  Due to the extent to which Dexpot can be configured, it is not as straightforward as Hydravision, so while it may be slightly tricky for the novice (it doesn’t warn of hotkey conflicts, and when they exist, default Windows shortcuts will override), one need not be a power user to get it working.

I would have to recommend Dexpot, but if it gives you problems and you have an ATI card, there’s always a Plan ‘B’ in Hydravision.

Hydravision

If you’re not already in the habit of downloading your device drivers from the manufacturer’s site, I suggest you start. There are a variety of reasons that I won’t get into here now, but it is not uncommon for extra features like Hydravision to be omitted from the Windows Update packages.  Hydravision is an optional download that comes packed with the drivers for your ATI graphics card (sorry, Nvidia users!) as well as in a separate download. 

Hydravision is quite straightforward to get up and running.  It does the job, but I found that switching between desktops wasn’t as snappy as I’d like.  I am not running the most powerful graphics card at the moment, but then, for something like this, I shouldn’t have to.  That aside, it works.  Multiple desktops in Windows.