Tip: Using Multiple Desktop Views on Windows XP

huffcw · Post by **huffcw** » Fri Feb 28, 2003 3:21 pm

This was over on the Creamware forum - and thought someone might find it useful here.
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There is a feature of Windows XP that lets you run four desktops and switch between them with key commands. I have found this feature great for setting up different views of SFP, my sequencer, soft synths, and other programs running at the same time.

Essentially, you can setup each desktop to display however you want (the same program that is maximized on one desktop, may be resized or not show at all on one of your other desktop - great for keeping things organized when you are running out of screen space). There is also a view that lets you see all four desktop at the same time (this provides a nice overview of all the screens, although you cannot change anything until you click on one of the desktops to view).

To use this feature, you must download and install the PowerToys for Windows XP. You can select individual items that you want to install from the PowerToys setup (you may not want all of the extras). TweakUI is also a nice program for optimizing different aspects of XP.

I hope someone will find this useful.

Here's the link:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/ ... ertoys.asp

at0m · Post by **at0m** » Fri Feb 28, 2003 7:05 pm

Also Matrox' "pdesk" (I disable it most of the time) has this feature. I wanted to mention this since many of us use Matrox Dualhead and might have "pdesk" running. To access the options, check the pdesk icon in taskbar.

If it's not there, open Display Properties, Settings, Primary Monitor, Advanced, Options, activate "Show Icon in Taskbar".
(only for Matrox video cards)

If you think you and heavy tweak programs don't mix, try this option instead of PowerToys which is quite powerfull