ScreenTabs

Certain projects involve working on countless windows and you may not be able to fit them on the same screen. A second monitor would be helpful in situations like this, but a cheaper solution is to use a virtual desktop application. ScreenTabs gives you the possibility of creating any number of additional desktops, which can be accessed instantly, via navigation tabs. Regardless of how many applications you have to run, you will be able to organize your work without any effort.

ScreenTabs is available in free and paid versions and it can be used on Windows and Windows 8. The application can be installed in a few moments and it does not require too much disk space, RAM or processing power. Also, there is no need to install any prerequisite tools or services.

When launched, the application will display four colored tabs on the left edge of the screen, which can be moved to other edges by clicking and dragging. Selecting one of these tabs will take you to a clean desktop. You can find the same wallpaper and icons on the virtual desktops, but you won't find any opened or minimized windows. When switching from one desktop to another, the application won't display any special effects. The transition is instantaneous, so it won't overuse your computer's resources. As a result, you will notice that ScreenTabs works a bit faster than other similar applications.

Right clicking any tab will display a panel, on which you can find the running applications for each tab. If you have a cluttered desktop, you can click and drag an application from one tab to another, to move its corresponding window to a different tab. The panel can act as a quick launcher as well. Shortcuts can be dragged and dropped over the panel, under a tab of your choice. Once you add a shortcut, you can double click it to run its application, on its corresponding tab.

Tabs can be customized in the application's general settings menu. You can change their names and colors and set them to keep all windows from previous tabs. It is also possible to select different tab styles. Furthermore, you may create new tabs, on your main screen or on a secondary one, if you have another monitor.