How to Distribute Windows Across Virtual Desktops on Windows

To distribute windows across virtual desktops on Windows, you need a virtual desktop manager that supports moving individual windows between workspaces. Dexpot is one such tool: it provides supplemental work spaces for windows and icons in Windows, lets you switch desktops at a keystroke or with your mouse, and is designed to help overcome desktop clutter. This guide covers the general workflow — setting up desktops, moving windows, assigning them by rules, and switching between spaces — using Dexpot as the reference tool.

What "distributing windows" means

Distributing windows means spreading your open programs across several virtual desktops instead of stacking them all on one screen. Each desktop holds its own set of windows, so you can divide activities — for example, one desktop for email and chat, another for documents, a third for a browser — and only see the windows relevant to the task at hand.

Dexpot describes this as dividing your work into activities and using additional work spaces to tidy up the desktop. The same idea applies to icons: Dexpot can distribute icons across desktops as well as windows.

Step 1: Install and start Dexpot

1. Download Dexpot from dexpot.de and run the installer.
2. Complete the installation and launch the program. Dexpot runs alongside Windows and adds its own desktop-switching controls.
3. On first run, you get a default set of virtual desktops. Beginners can use it as-is; the tool also exposes a high degree of customization for users who need it.

Note: older Dexpot installers bundled OpenCandy, which displayed an ad during installation. The developer has since removed OpenCandy from the Dexpot installer, so current installers do not include it.

Step 2: Move individual windows to a specific desktop

The core action for distributing windows is sending a single window to another desktop:

1. Open the window you want to move.
2. Use Dexpot's window menu or its title-bar button (added by Dexpot) to choose the target desktop.
3. The window disappears from the current desktop and now lives on the target desktop. Switch to that desktop to see it.

Expected result: each desktop shows only the windows assigned to it, so the current screen stays uncluttered.

Step 3: Assign windows to desktops automatically by rules

If you always want certain programs on certain desktops, Dexpot's rules feature handles the distribution for you:

1. Open the Dexpot settings and find the rules section.
2. Create a rule that matches a program — for example, by window title or executable.
3. Set the rule's action to move matching windows to a chosen desktop.
4. Apply the rule. From then on, when that program opens, it is placed on the assigned desktop automatically.

This is the practical way to "distribute windows" permanently rather than moving them by hand each session.

Step 4: Switch between desktops

Dexpot supports switching at a keystroke or with your mouse, so you can move between distributed windows quickly:

• Keyboard: use the configured hotkeys to jump to a desktop.
• Mouse: use the desktop switcher/pager to click a desktop.
• Preview: Dexpot includes a full-screen preview of all desktops. A documented option is "Doppeldrücks" — double-tap your Ctrl or Shift key to launch the full-screen preview or perform other actions.

Step 5: Keep icons organized too

Dexpot distributes icons as well as windows, so each virtual desktop can have its own icon layout. If you want a desktop dedicated to a single activity, you can keep only the relevant shortcuts there and let the other desktops stay clean.

Choosing this approach

If you only need a couple of extra desktops and occasional window moves, the built-in workflow above is enough. If you want windows to land on the right desktop automatically every time, invest the time in setting up rules.

Common sticking points

• Windows 10 compatibility: Dexpot's news page notes known compatibility issues with Windows 10 and states an update will follow. Check the changelog and download page for the current build before relying on it.
• Windows that resist moving: some system or elevated windows may not move cleanly between desktops. Test your key programs after setup.
• Rules not firing: verify the match condition (title or executable) is specific enough to catch the window but not so broad that it catches others.
• Pricing: the site includes Purchase, Pricing, and Resellers links, so a paid option exists. Check the current pricing page for exact terms rather than assuming the tool is free.