Top 10 Desktop Enhancement Tools for Windows PCs
EarthView
Provides high-detail views of the Earth at day and night, which can be used either as a desktop wallpaper or a screensaver, with different maps and locations to choose from.
If you are one of those people who is not satisfied with a static wallpaper and who is also looking to make their desktop look beautiful at all times, you can try EarthView.
Earth panorama as desktop background
Once you complete the installation process, you can choose the type of viewpoint you prefer: a static one, the view from the Sun, a random camera position or a user-defined camera path. Alternatively, you can download extra maps from the app's home website if you are not fully satisfied with the built-in seasonal one.
You can also switch the projection type from the map to the Globe, whereas the update interval can be customized as you see fit.
Another great feature of EarthView is that you can alter the parameters for each supported view, such as day or night views, clouds, background or cities.
Monitor several cities on the map
This application makes it easy for you to make one or more locations always visible on your wallpaper, along with the current date and time for each one. The font type, color and size used for displaying the info for each city can be altered as well.
Enjoy Earth map as screensaver
Another way to use EarthView is to set it as your default screensaver. You can define the update frequency and when it should be activated, once an idle period is detected.
The application can be configured to run at Windows startup, so you do not need to manually launch it and view the map. Nonetheless, if you are interested in weather details, you need to enter your personal API key first.
Conclusion
All in all, no matter if you choose to use it as a dynamic wallpaper or as your go-to screensaver, EarthView can certainly make your PC stand out, while also displaying an accurate map with real-time updates.
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Download Hubs
EarthView is part of these download collections: Earth Explorer
eDEX-UI
View various information about the system resource usage and network stats in a futuristic framework using this emulator application.
In the eventuality that you feel like your desktop could use a major overhaul, then you cannot go wrong with a shell replacement tool. eDEX-UI is small, but versatile terminal that completely changes the look and feel of your desktop so that the it appears like a futuristic environment without Windows.
Displays system and network information
While it may look like a neat shell replacement at first – mostly because it needs to be installed –, the application can be run and customized. The idea behind the utility is to emulate the shell of your choice in a real terminal and, the bigger the screen you roll it, the better the end effect.
As far as the functionality is concerned, the app displays valuable information about your system, such as swap, processes, RAM or CPU usage. At the same time, it includes some network monitoring features that exhibit the active connections, transfer rates or GeoIP.
On a side note, the app is still in its infancy, so there are numerous features that are lacking, but are likely to be implemented in future. For instance, it is impossible to display the contents of the current folder for Windows, although this is available for Linux and Mac. What you can do for now is input the path of files and folders in the terminal to view them.
Designed for touchscreens, it comes with an on-screen keyboard
It is worth mentioning that the program was a concept thought for portable devices initially and hence, the keyboard found on the interface. Unfortunately, this feature cannot be disabled, but there is a chance you may be able to eliminate it completely in the future.
In case it really bother you, then you can consider hiding it by modifying the Setting JSON file. Speaking of the settings, you should bear in mind that the app supports customization, such as changing the shell, keyboard layout or running the terminal in windowed mode, just to name a few.
A desktop enhancement app suitable for Tron: Legacy fans
As you probably hinted by now, the design is heavily inspired from the Tron: Legacy movie effects and more particularly, the Board Room sequence. In spite of its science-fiction futuristic look, the app comes with some real-life handy functionality, particularly advanced monitoring of your system and network.
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AC Wallmanager
An application that can beautify your desktop by automatically replacing your wallpaper with pictures from your preferred categories.
Manually changing your desktop background on a regular basis is a time-consuming task, especially since there are numerous apps that can easily perform this task without any hassle or user intervention.
AC Wallmanager is one such solution, and it also comes packed with a wide range of image categories for you to choose from.
User-friendly GUI
The main window of the utility offers a preview of the current wallpaper, and you can easily switch to a different one with a single mouse click.
Moreover, you can assign it two ratings ('I like' or 'I don't like') that help you create lists with your preferred pics, so you can not only share them with friends, but also come back to them at a later time and enjoy the pictures that impressed you the most.
The next step is probably the most important one, as you need to take the time to examine all available categories and select the ones that match your hobbies and interests. Alternatively, you can just keep all of them and regularly be surprised with the new contents.
Automatically change wallpapers
The main reason for using AC Wallmanager is that it can be set to rotate your desktop background as frequently as you set it to. Since the application basically downloads all the images it displays as your wallpaper, you can specify the folder where you want to store them, as well as limit how much space they can occupy.
Another handy feature is that it can automatically apply filters to the pictures used as desktop backgrounds.
Conclusion
All in all, AC Wallmanager can help you keep your computer desktop looking fresh at all times, using high-quality images taken from the Internet, without needing to manually look for them, download them and apply them as wallpapers. No expert skills are required, so novices can also have beautiful desktops.
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DesktopOK
Manage, save and restore the icon layout of your desktop using this handy utility that allows multiple users to have different workspace arrangements.
DesktopOK is a very handy piece of software that saves and restore the positions of all desktop icons, providing a few other extra tools to enhance the whole process.
The main window groups all features you need to quickly save a desktop layout, but if you're an advanced user and you wish to step further into more advanced configuration options, DesktopOK can please you too.
Besides the fact that you can save and restore icons position on the go, clicking on “Options” lets you enable auto-saving and tweak save settings. As a result, you can use the work area or the screen resolution as name and define the maximum number of layouts to be saved.
What's more, DesktopOK can be configured to save the desktop layout before Windows shutdown and restore the original position before Windows startup.
One of the tools that don't make much sense is the so-called “Punch the Icons” tool that picks a random position for any icon on the desktop. While it can hardly be found useful, this particular feature does nothing more than to scramble desktop icons.
On the good side however, DesktopOK automatically saves the original layout, allowing you to easily revert to the default settings.
DesktopOK works just fine on all Windows versions, and even if it places an icon in the Windows System Tray, it remains very friendly with hardware resources all the time.
All in all, DesktopOK is clearly a handy tool, especially in case you change display resolutions on a regular basis. This way, every single user can have his very own layout, with minimum configuration options and a very intuitive interface.
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Lively Wallpaper
A program that allows you to set up live desktop wallpapers either by selecting them from its library or by creating them yourself from multiple types of content.
The desktop wallpaper is something many people don't really care about. There are those who leave the default OS image on the screen for their PC's entire existence.
However, there are also people who like to customize the desktop, to bring some life into it. And if you want it to be as energetic as possible, then you should try Lively Wallpaper for this.
Bring your desktop to life
This program helps you set up "alive" wallpapers on your screen. It comes with a preset library of moving images that you can choose to set up on your desktop.
Or, if you are not a fan of the pre-existing ones, you can simply create your own. Simply select a GIF, video or HTML file from your PC and turn it into a cover for your desktop
More than just files
Files are not the only thing that can be supported by the program. You can also make wallpapers out of web pages or live streams. As long as they are active, Lively will continue to display them on your desktop.
But with video files and live streams, you are probably worried about having to hear the audio as well. Well, you can relax, as the sounds will only be played when you are on the desktop. If you switch to a window, then they will be muted.
It takes setting up wallpapers to a new level
Some of us spend a long time trying to figure out what image to use for their desktop. Well, we will now spend even more.
With so many creative possibilities, the options seem endless. Just be careful not to create a wallpaper that is too enjoyable to look at. You may then spend long periods of time staring at your desktop and forgetting about everything else.
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FadeTop
Have your computer gently remind you when it's time to take a break with the help of this easy to use application which gradually fades your computer screen into a specified color or picture.
FadeTop is a simple and unobtrusive application that runs in the system tray and reminds you to take a break at pre-set intervals by gently fading the screen to a relaxing, user-configurable color.
A relaxing, unobtrusive break-reminder
FadeTop's purpose is twofold. It is designed to help people relax their eyes by reminding them to take a break once in a while and, at the same time, be as unobtrusive as possible. As such, the application is very easy to install, simple to configure and places very little strain on the computer's resources.
When the pre-configured time interval is up, it gently starts fading the screen to a color or picture of the user's choice. This fading effect looks very smooth and is quite nice and relaxing to look at by itself. It can also be accompanied by a sound effect.
As the fading effect advances, a number of elements become visible. The first, as well as the most self-explanatory is a clock. Beneath the clock a break trail is displayed. This is used to depict a history of the breaks the user has taken. If a break has been taken, it will be represented by a solid box. Below the break-trail a Health Index is displayed. This is the percentage of breaks taken as opposed to breaks that have been skipped.
An easily configured application
As mentioned before, the application's functions and settings can be accessed via its system tray icon and its respective right-click menu. The FadeTop Options menu enables one to configure the software's activity timeout and maximum opacity values, as well as the background and foreground colors.
However, the application also features other settings which can be altered by modifying a few configuration files. These are not immediately obvious, but FadeTop's webpage provides an easy-to follow tutorial on how to do this.
Conclusion
This small and unobtrusive application is easy to use and configure. What's more, it does its job well, and can help you boost your productivity by keeping your eyes relaxed.
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EyeAuras
An application that allows you to clone a window and keep it, or just a part of it, always on top while you are using something else.
There are moments when you want to keep a constant eye on a window, but not actually use it. It can be a video playing in a corner of the screen or a conversation with multiple people, depends on the situation.
For people who have multiple screens at their disposal, it isn't even a problem anymore. But for those who only have one, EyeAuras can be a solution.
What it does
This program can basically clone any open window and keep a copy of it, or an aura, always on top of your screen. You can then play around with that copy and increase or decrease its size and opacity.
If you only need to see a portion of the window and not the entire thing, you can use the option to select a range from it, and the program will just zoom in on that area.
How to use it
Once you've opened the program, you can select what window you want it to make a copy of. After the aura is created, you can change its appearance either by right-clicking it or from the program itself.
For example, let's say you are at work and you are part of a conversation with your colleagues. If you are curious about what they are discussing, instead of bringing up and maximizing the chat window over and over, you can just keep an aura of it in the corner of your screen.
Or if you are playing a game where you need to pay attention to a certain statistic from the side of the screen, you can clone that part and move it closer to the action, just so you have everything in one place.
Overall thoughts
The idea behind EyeAuras unique and extremely useful. The only downside that I could find about it is while trying to clone a YouTube tab. While it did work, the aura didn't show the video playing but just a still image, like a screenshot. But other than that, it is great.
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Taskbar11
Adjust the size and position of your Windows 11 Taskbar, thus creating a desktop environment tailored to your very specific needs or wants.
Taskbar11 is an application with a simple task. For Windows 11 users, this application brings a little customization to this new OS taskbar. While at this point it can only allow a user to change its position and size, this should be enough, seeing as the operating system doesn't provide any options at all. As far as design and functionality are concerned, these remain basic, yet the program is efficient, offering exactly what is advertised.
The interface is too simple
Even though we're talking about a utility here, the application's looks seem unfinished. There is definitely room for improvement here. Generally, it would be great if a couple more taskbar-related features are added. The application doesn't require the user to restart the PC to apply the new settings.
These are instantly implemented. The only settings the user can adjust are the position — Top or Bottom (original) — and the size of the icons on the Taskbar — Small, Medium, Large. That's it in terms of functionality.
Why do I want this app?
For starters, it's great to have some adjustable options for the Windows 11 Taskbar, which has already been criticized quite a lot. Allowing the user to change the position of the bar means giving freedom to those individuals who seek to create a specific type of desktop environment, be it for work or taste purposes.
It also means that icons can become more accessible, especially if you're used to having the Taskbar at the top of the screen and its icons somewhat larger. Of course, if the taskbar is not really of importance to you, this app shouldn't really interest you.
Taskbar11 is a welcomed change of pace in terms of customization options for the Windows 11 Taskbar. It might be pretty basic at this point, but at least it is something for the time being.
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