BetterDesktopTool for Windows

BetterDesktopTool integrates a tool sorely lacking from Windows--the ability to instantly move, adjust, and compartmentalize desktops on your computer. While there is similar functionality in Windows 8, BetterDesktopTool makes it more intuitive and easier to manage than Microsoft's default controls--much closer to what you can do in OS X. The result is a powerful background application that can improve productivity and control, while working.

After installing BetterDesktopTool it immediately goes to your tray to run in the background. Despite this, it uses only a small amount of memory--a fraction of what your Web browser does. Open the menu and you can set hot keys for things like "show all windows," "show foreground windows," and "show desktop." These are all very useful, but the real winner in this piece of software is the virtual desktop creation option. With the tap of a button you can open a quartet of virtual desktops, allowing you to separate your work into separate screens, similar to what OS X allows on the Mac. Better yet, it is very fast, and having multiple desktops running doesn't seem to add to memory more than having those apps open on one screen.

We were extremely impressed with the speed, intuitive controls, and memory-friendly operation of BetterDesktopTool. For anyone obsessed with squeezing every ounce of productivity possible out of their PC, this is a must-have tool, and a fine example of how to enhance Windows without bogging it down with additional features.

• Adds super/windows key to shortcuts and enabled usage of up to 3 modifier keys at a time
• Adds shortcuts to directly switch to a particular Virtual-Desktop (0-9)
• Adds shortcuts to directly transport a window to a particular Virtual-Desktop (0-9)
• Adds shortcuts to directly send a window to a particular Virtual-Desktop (0-9)
• Fixes some minor issues