Desktops allows you to organize your applications on up to four virtual desktops. Read email on one, browse the web on the second, and do work in your productivity software on the third, without the clutter of the windows you're not using. After you configure hotkeys for switching desktops, you can create and switch desktops either by clicking on the tray icon to open a desktop preview and switching window, or by using the hotkeys.
Publisher’s description
What is Desktops?
Desktops by Sysinternals is proprietary Windows software in the customisation category.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides Portable installers for 64-bit and 32-bit Windows. The main installer is 205 KB. It runs without installation (portable).
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 3,899 times. Similar programs include Scribus, Mattermost and Rainmeter.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Portable: runs without installation
- Small download (205 KB)
Cons
- Proprietary licence: check the terms and price
- No native ARM64 build
- No update for more than a year
In short: Desktops is a customisation tool for 64-bit and 32-bit PCs. Updates have slowed down.
Is Desktops safe to download?
- The file is served by download.sysinternals.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
FBBA8B7267911C55BCD0252002B407603E9B0569F4E18EEE0B7C664A195857F2· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link answered when we last checked it (October 22, 2026)
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 1 versions ›| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.01Latest | October 12, 2021 | 205 KB | 32-bit ZIP64-bit ZIP |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id Microsoft.Sysinternals.Desktops -echoco install Desktops -yProgram files (.exe): desktops.exe
Related guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- Sysinternals
- Category
- Customisation
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Price
- See the publisher’s site
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, 32-bit
- Installer
- Portable
- Version
- 2.01
- Released
- October 12, 2021
- Added to the catalogue
- January 30, 2023
- Versions listed
- 1
- Chocolatey downloads
- 3,899
- Website
- learn.microsoft.com
- winget ID
- Microsoft.Sysinternals.Desktops
- Chocolatey package
- Desktops
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to Desktops
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Frequently asked questions
Is Desktops free?
Desktops is proprietary (closed-source) software (licence: Proprietary). Whether it costs money depends on the edition: check the publisher’s site for prices and free tiers.
Is Desktops safe to download?
The download comes from download.sysinternals.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install Desktops with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Does Desktops run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit and 32-bit version through emulation.
Can I use Desktops without administrator rights?
Yes, it is portable: unpack and run it.
What are alternatives to Desktops?
Scribus, Mattermost, Rainmeter, Lively Wallpaper and IPFS Desktop. The alternatives page compares them.
