Kimi

Desktop manager for Windows

English • Русский

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Features

• Multiple desktops with separate files and icons
• Icon position saving for each desktop
• Hotkeys for quick switching
• Autostart with Windows
• System tray support

How it works

Kimi combines two approaches:

Approach	Description
Virtual Desktops	Uses Windows Virtual Desktops (Win+Tab) for desktop switching and window management
Separate Folders	Each desktop has its own folder with files and saved icon positions

Installation

Requirements

• Windows 10/11
• Administrator rights

Why not Dexpot?

	Kimi	Dexpot
Technology	Native Windows API + Rust	Legacy COM hooks
Virtual Desktops	Uses built-in Windows 10/11 virtual desktops	Custom implementation, conflicts with Windows
Icon positions	Saved per desktop, restored instantly	Often loses positions, lags
CPU	0% idle	1-5% constantly
Memory	~10 MB	~50-100 MB
Size	9.5 MB	~30 MB
Updates	Active development	Abandoned since 2017

Technical Details

Kimi uses low-level Windows API for reliable desktop management.

Changing Desktop Path

// shell.rs — switching system Desktop folder
SHSetKnownFolderPath(
    &FOLDERID_Desktop,
    KF_FLAG_DONT_UNEXPAND.0 as u32,
    HANDLE::default(),
    PCWSTR::from_raw(wide_path.as_ptr()),
)

Virtual Desktop Switching

// api.rs — using winvd crate for Windows Virtual Desktops
pub fn switch_to_desktop(index: usize) -> Result<(), String> {
    winvd::go_to_desktop(index).map_err(|e| format!("{:?}", e))
}

pub fn move_window(hwnd: isize, desktop: usize) -> Result<(), String> {
    winvd::move_window_to_desktop(hwnd as u32, desktop)
        .map_err(|e| format!("{:?}", e))
}

Refreshing Explorer

// shell.rs — sending F5 to desktop ListView
unsafe fn send_f5(hwnd: HWND) {
    PostMessageW(hwnd, WM_KEYDOWN, WPARAM(VK_F5), LPARAM(0));
    std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(50));
    PostMessageW(hwnd, WM_KEYUP, WPARAM(VK_F5), LPARAM(0));
}

Icon Position Storage

// storage.rs — saving positions to hidden file
pub fn save_icon_positions(desktop_path: &Path, layout: &DesktopIconsLayout) {
    let coords_file = desktop_path.join("coords.kimi");
    let content = serde_json::to_string_pretty(layout)?;
    fs::write(&coords_file, content)?;
    hide_file(&coords_file); // FILE_ATTRIBUTE_HIDDEN
}

Build from source

git clone https://github.com/Masonik2080/kimi.git
cd kimi
npm install
npm run tauri build

License

CC0 1.0 — Public Domain