Organize your desktop like magic!
You may have noticed a new name and a new logo. Recently, this repository was targeted by a trademark complaint from a large commercial software company regarding our name (and icon).
To protect this repository from being suspended and to ensure this tool remains completely free and open-source for the community, I was forced to rebrand. We are now officially Desktop Frames +.
What this means for you:
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Same Core Engine: Only the branding has changed. The underlying code is exactly the same.
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Zero Configuration Loss (hopefully- I'm working on it!): Your existing layouts, settings, and internal configuration files will continue to work flawlessly with the new version.
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Still 100% Free: It will not switch to a monthly subscription model 😉.
Thank you to everyone who helped this project reach 500+ stars.
Your support is the reason this tool exists, and corporate pressure won't stop me from improving it. Let's keep buildin
Please update your bookmarks!
Desktop Frames + creates virtual Frames on your desktop, allowing you to group and organize icons in a clean and convenient way. With enhanced visual effects and right-click options, it aims to provide a more polished and customizable user interface.
Desktop Frames+ is an open-source desktop icon management software, originally created by HakanKokcu under the name BirdyFences.
This project is a continuation and substantial modification of the original BirdyFences codebase, which was licensed under the MIT License at the time of forking.
Desktop Frames+ has been significantly enhanced and optimized for improved performance, stability, and user experience, while respecting the terms of the original license and acknowledging the original author.
The list of changes is moved here:
https://github.com/limbo666/DesktopFramesPlus/blob/main/VersionHistory.md
https://github.com/limbo666/DesktopFramesPlus/blob/main/desktop_Frames_simple_manual.md
https://github.com/limbo666/DesktopFramesPlus/blob/main/TIPS.md
Read them before starting an issue.
If this project has helped you, please consider supporting its development! Your contribution directly impacts how fast and far this project grows.
Maintaining and improving this tool takes time, effort, and resources. Donations help me:
- Dedicate more time to fixing bugs and adding features
- Cover the cost of tools (like AI assistance that speeds up development)
- Stay motivated and keep pushing the project forward
Your support literally drives the pace of development!
Even small contributions mean a lot. Thank you for keeping this project alive and evolving!
- Multiple Frame Types: Create Data Frames for custom shortcuts, Portal Frames that actively mirror folder contents (with internal navigation and filters), and Note Frames for quick text.
- Tabs Engine: Keep your desktop clean by organizing shortcuts into multiple tabs within a single frame, complete with tab overflow management.
- Workspace Profiles: Create independent layouts for different workflows (e.g., Work, Gaming). Switch profiles manually via hotkeys, or use Profile Automation to switch automatically when specific programs are launched.
- Smart Desktop Engine: Automatically sort and move incoming files into specific Portal Frames or folders based on custom user rules.
- SpotSearch: A built-in quick-search pane invoked by a hotkey to instantly find and launch shortcuts across all your frames.
- Dynamic Visibility: Temporarily "Peek Behind" frames to see the desktop, "Rollup" frames to hide their contents, or enable Auto-hide to conceal frames after a period of inactivity.
- Focus Mode: Highlight a specific frame using the tray menu or a hotkey combination.
- Universal Support: Fully supports standard files, folders, web links, MS Store apps, Steam games, and Spotify URIs. Includes advanced execution options like "Run as Administrator" and "Run as different user".
- Theming: Customize individual frame background colors, set global tint levels, or use Chameleon Mode to automatically match your frames to your wallpaper's dominant color.
- Launch Animations: Select from multiple visual effects (Zoom, Bounce, Fadeout, SlideUp, Rotate, Elastic) when launching applications.
- Precision Layouts: Utilize "Snap to Dimension" for perfect alignment, easily reorder icons with
CTRL + Drag, and insert blank spacers to position your icons exactly where you want them. - Icon Customization: Extract and assign custom icons from executables, DLLs, or image files for any shortcut, folder, or web link.
- Automated Backups: Features a daily automatic backup mechanism that saves your layouts, configurations, and shortcuts.
- Export & Import: Easily move your setup across different computers by exporting individual frames or entire tabs.
- Fully Portable: Utilizes relative paths for files and folders to ensure seamless operation across different environments.
Desktop Frames + brings a powerful and visually optimized experience for users who want to organize their desktop with flexibility and style. The program is designed to enhance productivity by combining intuitive interactions, aesthetic customization, and practical right-click options.
Get the latest release here: https://github.com/limbo666/DesktopFramesPlus/releases UPDATE: Release is suspended until version 2.7 is out
Compatible with Windows 10/11
Fully portable
- Download the release package
- Extract the all files contained in zip package into a folder
- Run
Desktop Frames.exe.
All necessary configuration files and folders will be created on first run.
Attention: Only user-writable locations are compatible.
See (#51)
- Download the release package
- Extract the all files contained in zip package and overwrite existing int your Desktop Frames + folder
- Run
Desktop Frames.exe.
Some releases may convert your configuration files and/or folders to be compatible with new functiions
For safety measure it is suggested to backup your Desktop Frames + folder before updating
This project is licensed under the MIT License.
Based on the original BirdyFences by HakanKokcu
Desktop Frames + is Enhanced and maintained by Nikos Georgousis.
Hand Water Pump 2025-2026