The computer desktop is an integral part of our workspace, much like its real-world counterpart. The state of a desktop not only affects work productivity, but also the psychology of its user. A clean, organized space with easy-to-reach and accessible elements in place is a good way to kick off a day of work. Here are some tips on how to do that.
1. How to easily reach frequently used programs
Rocketdock is a functional yet resource-light piece of software for you to arrange frequently-used items in an easily-reachable dock on any corner of your desktop. You can choose to launch any of these apps from a cool, sliding interface a-la Mac OS. The dock also makes it easy to recognize and pinpoint difficult icons.
2. How to post sticky notes on your desktop
Stickies is a simple tool that allows you to post nifty little notes on your desktop. They can be about anything – reminders, to-dos, motivational words and more. Just type in the text and it will remain on your desktop until it is removed – just like those good ol’ Post-it notes!
3. How to easily categorize your desktop icons
Creating color-coded images as wallpapers is easy even with Windows’ built-in Paint. Just split the wallpaper into a number of equal areas, and color them differently. When set as the wallpaper, just drag related icons into the color boxes, and these colors will act as categorizers – truly a fuss-free way to visually group desktop icons.
4. How to turn your desktop into a multi purpose tool
Google Desktop is a desktop utility that gives you access to news, weather, RSS feeds and other functions through its sidebar gadgets. Although similar to the Windows Vista Sidebar, Google’s has been redesigned for better security and blending onto the desktop.
5. How to minimize programs to the system tray
Tray-it is a powerful little tool that enables you to minimize any applications to the system tray instead of the taskbar. One good way to multitask with this tool is to minimize programs with less priority to the system tray, thus freeing up space in the taskbar for more important apps.
Do you organize your desktop? Tell us in the comments!
This guest post was written by Chan Huey Hoong. If you want to guest post for this blog, drop me a line!
March 22nd, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Does theese aplications require Vista?
March 22nd, 2009 at 11:27 pm
“Does theese aplications require Vista?”
Nope. They are all compatible with Windows XP. Checked and tested on my XP PC :)
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:07 am
“Fences” from Objectdock is very convenient for organizing desktop icons.
Give it a try
March 24th, 2009 at 3:10 am
Another vote for Fences. Beautiful program. XP and up.
March 24th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Bligoo, Geakz and digi163: Thanks for the input guys – keep those suggestions coming!
March 25th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I just needed this tips, I can recommend “MaxTo” a tiny and great app to maximize you windows to an specific size. Can you make another one about real-desktop organizing?
March 26th, 2009 at 7:50 am
Use a mac, much cleaner and simpler.
March 28th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
i want a utility that is the opposite of Tray It. I want to be able to cycle between them with alt+tab if its possible … i find it quite annoying to reach for the mouse and right or left click on the tray icons to be able to access them .. any solution ?
March 30th, 2009 at 12:53 am
I like the third recommendation. Perhaps I should make myself a wallpaper like that too. :)
April 1st, 2009 at 6:17 pm
well, i think that clean desktop is the best. though it is very difficult to maintain it.
ivan
April 4th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Tip #3 is cool for those who loves clicking icons on their desktop. You can also include a text launcher in this e.g. Launchy / FARR. They are one of the apps out there.
April 5th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Buddy, your site is excellent, your articles exceed that too. You’ve just got yourself another active reader.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:13 am
@Syahid: Cool program that you recommended – I am actually using it now!
@comp@ddict: Thanks, we’ll keep it up :)
hoong
June 5th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
loved this one, my office has millions of stick notes I’ll now put on my
computer.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:40 am
I’m in the process of downloading all of these. Great stuff. But I don’t see a link for #3 the wallpaper icons? Does this work for anyone else?
Thanks
July 27th, 2009 at 9:37 am
@Alexis: Thanks
@Jo-Carole: #3 was actually something you can do with Windows Paint. But, you’re right I think I should come up with a wallpaper pack :)
August 4th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
awhan, if you check back in here…check out Fast Launcher. It’s free.
http://www.dvasoft.com/fast_launcher/screenshots/
August 8th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
thank you Tad for the answer.
I am afraid this does not solve my problem. The problem I face is that when I have to restore a program that has been minimized to the tray I HAVE to use the mouse. Other programs that are minimized to the task bar can be Alt-Tabbed and used. I wanted to not use the mouse at all. In other words I want to Alt-Tab all minimized programs whether they are in the tray or the task bar.
Though I have not used the suggested program yet but if I am wrong I will come back and apologize. Thanks again :)
August 13th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
another good organizing freeware program is fences. founnd on stardock.com