Desktop Fences+ is a free Windows utility for arranging desktop shortcuts, files, folders, and icons into virtual areas. It provides data fences, portal fences that reflect folder contents, and note fences for text. Appearance options include preset colors, borders, title styling, icon sizes, spacing, and launch effects. A search pane finds shortcuts across data fences. Profiles can be managed, switched automatically when programs activate, or called up with hotkeys. Smart Desktop rules can move files into portal fences or folders. The manual describes backup and restore, and fences can be exported and imported between systems. Supported items include Windows shortcuts, web links, folders, documents, and network targets; the changelog also mentions Spotify URI shortcuts and basic Microsoft Store app support. The project is portable and compatible with Windows 10 and 11, but must be kept in a user-writable location and requires .NET Framework support. The digitalsleuth repository has no releases listed; its README points to the original limbo666 repository for the latest release package.
Who it is for
Desktop Fences+ suits Windows users who want to group desktop items and create rules for organizing files. Its portable setup and profile features may appeal to users managing different desktop layouts.
What is good
- Supports data, portal, and note fences.
- Profiles can switch automatically when programs activate.
- Fences can be exported and imported.
- Free and MIT-licensed.
What to know first
- Windows 10/11 only.
- Requires a user-writable location.
- Requires .NET Framework support.
- No releases are listed in the digitalsleuth repository.
Verdict
Desktop Fences+ offers multiple fence types, profiles, and file-moving rules for organizing a Windows desktop. The README points to another repository for the latest release package.
Desktop Fences+ plans and pricing
All plansCompared on desktop organization software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform support
- windows_only
- Organization model
- fenced_areas
- Automatic sorting
- Yes
- Saved layouts
- Yes
- Multi-monitor support
- Yes
