Shock Desktop is a program that can save the locations of your desktop icons and easily restore them if and when they change. It allows for the creation of multiple profiles and includes a number of useful functions.
There are a number of programs that save and restore the locations of desktop icons, but I really like this one for the following reasons:
- Profiles: Allows you to set any number of profiles. This can be useful if (a) you flip different resolutions on your display, and (b) if you would like different icon arrangements and not just a single, favorite one.
- Tray icon operation: resides in the tray icon for quick access. Although there are a couple of functionalities that it offers if its running in memory (see below), you really only need it when you’re ready to restore icon locations. (You can switch auto-starting with Windows in the options).
- Usage: Does not require switching off the ’align to grid’ option to perform. This is a strange requirement of some desktop-icon saving apps such as another favorite of mine, DIManagerX.
- Hiding desktop icons (a.k.a interesting functionality#1): there’s an option whereby you can quickly turn desktop icons on and off from the system tray. (For me this comes in handy whenever I want to create screenshots for programs).
Interesting functionality#2: pressing a hotkey (CTRL-Q by default) will display icon locations through and over any Windows that might be covering them (see screenshot). A rather unusal feature, but seems like it could might come in handy.- Resource use: is at around 12 megs memory, which is not too much for this sort of app (DIManagerX uses up approx 9 megs). Having said that it seems to me like it could be smaller.
But does it work with virtual desktop programs?: (my favorite Dexpot for example). My guess is that it would, but I haven’t tested it. Please let us know in the comments forum if you find out.
The verdict: a very nice program from creator of Shock Sticker (my favorite desktop notes program) and Shock Aero. Recommended.
Version tested: 1.25
Compatibility: Windows XP, 2000, 2003; no info on Vista
Go to the download page to get the latest version (approx 800K). Also visit the program page.
One very frustrating thing about the Shock utils is they now require registration and a serial number. I use Shock 4Way 3D 0.93 instead of the latest version because of that. I wish the author would change his mind and get rid of that.
It seems to work fine with Dexpot. The second functionality is handy because you can click the icons even if they are behind a window.
Note to self: When typing the words “you” or “your”, double check that they are spelled correctly.
Oops. Thanks for pointing that out Mike. Fixed it.
Desktop save and restore is much
http://www.midiox.com/html/desktop.htm
No registration nags or any advertising sidebar like this one. Simple Save desktop/restore desktop on right-click.
Hi,
I am running XP and have just installed Shock Desktop 1.53 (also tried 1.51). I keep getting ‘divide by zero’ error when I try to arrange icons to any shape.
Any ideas on a fix please – or if not is there any other software which will arrange desktop icons to geometric shapes please!
Cheers
Mark