VirtualDesktop10

[eclectic-tech]

Latest Version: 1.2017.10.23
Added RainFocus by ~Faradey~ to activate switching desktops (focus is switched to the edge skin when hovered; prior version would not switch while another window had focus).

OriginalPost:
Over the past few weeks I have been working with Windows 10 virtual desktop. I tried to see how well VirtuaWin and Dexpot functioned in Windows 10, and came to the same conclusion the developers did, they don't work, and will be removed from Rainmeter's code.

Not everyone uses virtual desktops, but I find I enjoy having an expanded desktop area. About a month ago, I came across 'Corners for 10' and the 'Preme' program. It uses AutoHotKey executable scripts to perform various Windows 10 operations. It has scripts for all of the current virtual desktop keyboard functions, so designing a skin using those scripts, allows Rainmeter to control all virtual desktop operations.

'Good-bye' VirtuaWin and Dexpot! ... 'Hello' Windows 10 Virtual Desktops controlled by AHK scripts in Rainmeter skins.

VD10.png

Notes:
Only works with Windows 10 Virtual Desktops
**IMPORTANT** Windows SmartFilter will SmartScreen may stop execution of the scripts the first time you run them. Click on 'More Info' to see the option to 'Run Anyways'... once you tell Windows 10 to do this, it will not interrupt again. You will have to do this with each action!
(Or see JSMorley's post below )

Middle-click any icon to toggle the screen edge switchers. Default will be to left-click near the middle of the right/left screen edge to move to the previous/next desktop... you can select the 'hover' variation, but it may change too quickly for you.
(I added 500 millisecond delay to the hover action. You can adjust this for your preference in the EdgeSwitcherHover.ini; 'W' variable.)

Skin is set to 'TopMost' so it should remain above your taskbar if placed there.

Credits:
SendKey from TotalControl!Suite by Santa Ryan
AllTask script from Corners for 10 (mailto: cornersfor10@gmail.com)
AutoHotKey (http://ahkscript.org/) AutoHotKey program
MaterialDesignIcons (https://materialdesignicons.com/) Icons
RainFocus by ~Faradey~ (https://forum.rainmeter.net/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=22839)

Comments always appreciated

Download: (Moved to DeviantArt) http://eclectic-tech.deviantart.com/art/VirtualDesktop10-586021357

Update: Credit includes SendKey (This reduced DL by 75% and added flexibility!)
Edit: Corrected email address for cornersfor10@gmail.com :: Corrected term 'SmartFilter' to 'SmartScreen' ... Sometimes I type like a 6 yr old!

[jsmorley]

Works really nice. MediaFire seems happy with the file, and I personally didn't get any SmartScreen popups.

FYI, as a note for others, this is what you should do if you get a SmartScreen dialog on something that you downloaded from the internet that you in fact trust:

s1.jpg

s2.jpg

Note that the background color of the dialog can / will be different each time it comes up. This doesn't mean anything in particular, just a way of having it catch your attention better.

While I have no strong opinion on what you should set it at, you can also change the operation of SmartScreen if for instance you hate being treated by Windows as if you were 6-years old...

s0.jpg

s4.jpg

s3.jpg

My view of it is that SmartScreen is a good thing to have at that first level if you have your kids using your computer, and you just don't give their accounts "administrator" access. Then they just can't install that malware they downloaded from their loser friends on Facebook. The second level, which just "warns", is less useful. It is just another dialog that you (and they) may soon just learn to ignore and click-through as fast as possible. The last option assumes that anyone using the computer has some idea of what they are doing, and are not going to be downloading and installing stuff from sketchy websites.

Nothing wrong with SmartScreen as such, and even for the most experienced and careful user, it can add some useful protection if set at the first or second level, as long as the warning dialog at least makes you stop for a second and think. If it becomes like the User Account Control dialogs we have all learned to ignore and mash "Yes" as fast as we can, then it's just an annoyance and can be turned off.

The important thing to remember is that a SmartScreen dialog doesn't mean that the program you got from the internet is "suspicious" or that Windows has identified it as a "problem". SmartScreen is not an antivirus program. The dialog simply means that the program you downloaded is "new" in the eyes of Microsoft / SmartScreen, and hasn't built up enough "reputation" by being downloaded by a bunch of people yet. It's very much a "social reputation" process, where the more people download and install the program, the more SmartScreen will "trust it". The only question you should ask yourself if you get the dialog is "Do I trust where I got this from?". But then, you should always ask yourself that when downloading / installing.

[eclectic-tech]

@jsmorley Thanks for the additional information!

I added a 500 millisecond delay to the hover action. You can adjust the delay by editing the 'W' variable in the EdgeSwitcherHover.ini file.

Link in first post updated.

[eclectic-tech]

Modified to use SendKey from Tools! by Santa Ryan

This reduced the file by 75%

AND adds the ability to use other Window Hotkey actions (current or future)...
I am hoping M$ will add a 'Goto Desktop #' as a new Hotkey control

Updated DeviantArt link in first post

[eclectic-tech]

Added RainFocus by ~Faradey~ to overcome the hover edge switcher not activating if another window had focus.

Thanks again to ~Faradey~ for this very useful addon!

Link in first post updated...

[eclectic-tech]

Updated to Version 1.2017.10.23

• Added ability to hide/show all loaded skins with mouse scroll or via context menu
• Modified color selection method (reduced needed icon images in half)
• Expanded skin context menu options for easier controls
• Corrected dark version not showing complimentary colors

Available from my DA site: DA Link