Configuration

Configuration

config.json

Location: %APPDATA%\VirtualDesktopIndicator\config.json (created with defaults on first run). Edit it by hand, then Reload config from the tray menu — or use the settings window.

Key	Description	Default
Position	Overlay position: TopLeft TopCenter TopRight BottomLeft BottomCenter BottomRight Center	TopCenter
ShowOnAllMonitors	Show on every monitor (same position on each); false = primary only	true
MarginX / MarginY	Margin from the edge (px)	0 / 12
Opacity	Overlay opacity (0.05 – 1.0)	0.5
FontSize	Number font size	28
ShowNumber	Show the number	true
ShowCount	Use the 2 / 5 format (include total)	true
ShowName	Show the desktop name	true
Foreground / Background	Text / background color (#RRGGBB)	white / black
CornerRadius	Corner rounding	10
PollIntervalMs	State refresh interval (ms)	300
SmoothSwitch	true = switch with the native animation (no taskbar flicker); false = instant direct COM jump. See Desktop Switching	true
Hotkeys	List of { "Hotkey": "Ctrl+Alt+1", "Desktop": 1 }	desktops 1–9

Hotkeys

Format: modifier+modifier+key.

• Modifiers: Ctrl Alt Shift Win
• Keys: 1–0, A–Z, F1–F24, numpad digits Num0–Num9
• Desktop is the 1-based desktop number.

Examples: Ctrl+Alt+3, Ctrl+Alt+F5, Ctrl+Win+Num1.

• Numpad digits (Num*) are recognized only when NumLock is on.
• A hotkey already used by another program fails to register — you get a balloon tip on startup.

⚠️ Combinations like Win+<digit> and Win+Shift+<digit> are reserved by Windows (e.g. launching the Nth taskbar app) and fail to register. That's why the defaults use the conflict-free Ctrl+Alt+<digit>. Pick a different combination if one fails.

Tray menu

Right-click the VD icon in the notification area:

• Version (top, disabled label)
• Settings… — hotkeys, autostart, appearance
• Check for updates… — queries GitHub Releases (hidden in the Microsoft Store build)
• Run at Windows startup — launches at logon (per-user, no admin)
• Open config file — opens config.json in your editor
• Reload config — re-apply changes made by editing the file
• Position — quickly move the overlay
• Exit

Settings window

Double-click the tray icon or choose Settings…:

• Run at Windows startup checkbox
• Show on all monitors, Smooth switch, Opacity controls
• Hotkeys — for each desktop 1–9, tick modifier checkboxes (Win Ctrl Shift Alt) and pick a key. Choose (none) or press Clear to empty one. At least one modifier + a key is required; duplicates are warned about on save. Save applies immediately (no restart).
• The current version and a Check for updates button sit at the bottom (the update button is hidden in the Store build).

💡 Name a desktop by double-clicking its name in Task View (Win+Tab).

Updates

• Plain-exe / installer build: on startup the app quietly checks the latest GitHub release; if newer, it offers to download and run the installer, then exits. Manual check via Check for updates…. Version comparison uses Major.Minor.Patch (the 4th build number is ignored).
• Microsoft Store build: self-update is disabled — the Store delivers updates. The update menu item and button are hidden.

Autostart (plain-exe build) writes the executable path to HKCU\…\CurrentVersion\Run. If you moved the executable, toggle autostart off and on to refresh the path. The Store build uses the MSIX startup task instead (toggleable in Task Manager → Startup apps).