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• Dexpot

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• Basics
• 1. The concept of virtual desktops
• 2. Switching desktops
• 3. Moving windows
• 4. Copying windows
• 5. Assigning applications
• 6. Activating plugins
• Customize
• 7. Setup hotkeys
• 8. Desktop backgrounds
• 9. Start-Up
• Desktop icons
• 10. Separate folders for each desktop (Recommended)
• 10.1 Moving icons
• 10.2 Copying icons
• 10.3 Deleting icons
• 10.4 Keep original desktop folder
• 11. Shared common folder for all desktops
• 11.1 Moving icons
• 11.2 Copying icons
• 11.3 Deleting icons
• 11.4 Align icons to grid
• 11.5 Auto arrange icons
• Advanced
• 12. Desktop Rules
• 13. Behavior of windows on other desktops
• Need help?

Quick Start Guide

First steps with Dexpot

1. The concept of virtual desktops

Virtual desktops are supplemental work spaces for windows and icons in Windows. You can switch virtual desktops at a keystroke or with your mouse.

2. Switching desktops

Run Dexpot (from your desktop). You'll see the Dexpot icon in your systray. Right-click the systray icon and choose 'Desktop 2' from the main menu.

3. Moving windows

Click the title bar of a window with your right mouse button and choose 'Move > Desktop 2' from the folding menu.

4. Copying windows

Click the title bar of a window with your right mouse button and choose 'Copy > Desktop 2' from the folding menu.

5. Assigning applications

Choose 'Assign applications' from the main menu. Select a window of your choice in the list of running applications. Assign this application to a desktop by using the combo box right of 'Assign application to'.

6. Activating plugins

Choose 'Settings' from the main menu. Switch to 'Plugins and Extras'. Click the checkbox of the plugin you would like to activate. Click the button 'Configure' to customize the plugin.

7. Setup hotkeys

Choose 'Settings' from the main menu. Switch to 'Control'. You find all hotkeys on tab 'Hotkeys'. Expand the hotkey group 'Switch desktop' with a double-click. Click the button 'Define'. That followed, press the key on your keyboard you would like to use. If you wish, you can define an additional modificator like SHIFT.

8. Desktop backgrounds

Choose 'Configure Desktops' from the main menu. Switch to tab 'Background'. Click the desktop in the left desktop bar you would like to set a separate wallpaper. Confirm the prompt with 'Yes'. Browse your computer for images by clicking the thumbnail of the desired monitor.

9. Start-Up

Choose 'Configure Desktops' from the main menu. Switch to tab 'Start-Up'. Click the desktop in the left desktop bar you would like to set a start-up. A click on the button 'Browse...' is enough to browse your computer for the application you would like to start automatically. You need to specificy an event by choosing one from the combo box.

10. Separate folders for each desktop (Recommended)

Choose 'Settings' from the main menu. Go to 'Switching Desktops'. Enable the option 'Customize desktop icons'.
Using this method of icon customization, Dexpot creates physically independent folders.

Please mind the following characteristics:

• To backup the icon distribution, please save a profile via 'Settings > General > Profiles'. If necessary, you can restore the icon distribution using the hotkey "Reload icons from profile" from 'Settings > Controls > Hotkeys > Miscellaneous'
• The Windows function "Align to grid" can be set per desktop
• Applying the Windows function "Auto arrange" will arrange icons of all desktops left-justified
• Icons stored in the folder 'C:\Users\Public\Desktop' (Windows Vista/7/8/8.1 and server versions) and 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop' (Windows XP/2003) are visible on all virtual desktops. Such icons do not appear in 'Desktop Windows'
• For more info regarding this method of icon customization, please see the FAQ

10.1 Moving icons

Choose 'Desktop Windows' from the main menu. Change to tab 'Icons'. Select the icons you would like to move. Drag the icons to one of the desktops in the left desktop bar.

10.2 Copying icons

Choose 'Desktop Windows' from the main menu. Change to tab 'Icons'. Select the icons you would like to copy. While holding CTRL, drag the icons to one of the desktops in the left desktop bar.

10.3 Deleting icons

Right-click the icon on your desktop you would like to delete. Choose 'Delete'. You will find the icon in the recycle bin.

10.4 Keep original desktop folder

Choose 'Settings' from the main menu. Go to 'Switching Desktops'. In 'Desktop icons', please click the button 'Advanced'. The option 'Use original Windows desktop folder as Desktop 1' makes Dexpot use your existing desktop folder instead of creating a new, separate folder for Desktop 1.

11. Shared common folder for all desktops

Choose 'Settings' from the main menu. Go to 'Switching Desktops'. Enable the option 'Customize desktop icons'. In 'Desktop icons', please click the button 'Advanced'. Enable the option 'Use a shared common folder for all desktops'.
Using this method of icon customization, Dexpot does not touch any of your icons.

Please mind the following characteristics:

• To backup the icon distribution, please save a profile via 'Settings > General > Profiles'. If necessary, you can restore the icon distribution using the hotkey "Reload icons from profile" from 'Settings > Controls > Hotkeys > Miscellaneous'
• You must always move, copy and delete icons with Dexpot - not via your Windows desktop
• Dexpot moves deleted icons and icons that were moved to a different desktop off-screen and therefore hides them
• Applying the Windows functions "Align to grid" as well as "Auto arrange" will gather all icons on the current desktop. They are redistributed across your desktops within some seconds
• The Dexpot functions "Align to grid" and "Auto arrange icons" just work after a desktop switch and do not conform to Windows' own functions in every aspect
• Once you quit Dexpot, it will restore the icon distribution that was present before the application was started

11.1 Moving icons

Choose 'Desktop Windows' from the main menu. Change to tab 'Icons'. Select the icons you would like to move. Drag the icons to one of the desktops in the left desktop bar.

11.2 Copying icons

Choose 'Desktop Windows' from the main menu. Change to tab 'Icons'. Select the icons you would like to copy. While holding CTRL, drag the icons to one of the desktops in the left desktop bar.

11.3 Deleting icons

Choose 'Desktop Windows' from the main menu. Change to tab 'Icons'. Right-click the icon you would like to delete, then click 'Remove' from the folding menu.

11.4 Align icons to grid

Choose 'Settings' from the main menu. Go to 'Switching Desktops'. In 'Desktop icons', please click the button 'Advanced'. The option 'Align to grid' aligns your icons to a grid, but after a desktop switch.

11.5 Auto arrange icons

Choose 'Settings' from the main menu. Go to 'Switching Desktops'. In 'Desktop icons', please click the button 'Advanced'. The option 'Auto arrange icons' aligns your icons left-justified, but after a desktop switch.

12. Desktop Rules

Choose 'Desktop Rules' from the main menu. Press the button 'Assistent'. You can choose from a number of ready-made rules in the rule database. The assistent will guide you through all further steps. After this, you can retouch the rule where necessary.

13. Behavior of windows on other desktops

Choose 'Settings' from the main menu. Switch to 'Plugins and Extras'. In 'Behavior of windows on other desktops' you can decide how to handle windows activating on another desktop.