win-desktop-manager 🪟⚡

A lightweight i3-style workspace manager for Windows, built with AutoHotkey v2 and Virtual Desktop Accessor.

It replaces the default Windows desktop switching behavior with a fast, keyboard-driven system inspired by tiling window managers like i3wm or Hyprland.

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✨ Features

• Instant switching between 1–9 virtual desktops
• Next and previous desktop navigation
• Go to last visited desktop (back/forward style switching)
• Move active windows between desktops
• Debug HUD / popup feedback system
• Direct integration with Windows Virtual Desktops via DLL

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🚀 Installation

1. Install AutoHotkey v2

https://www.autohotkey.com/

2. Clone repository

git clone https://github.com/yourname/win-desktop-manager

3. Run

Open main.ahk with AutoHotkey v2.

4. Autostart (optional)

1. Create a shortcut of main.ahk
2. Copy that shortcut to the startup directory. (Enter shell:startup in windows explorer search bar or C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup)

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⌨️ Keybindings

Shortcut	Action
Win + 1–9	Switch to desktop 1–9
Shift + Win + 1–9	Move active window to desktop
Win + WheelUp	Previous desktop
Win + WheelDown	Next desktop
Win + Tab	Last visited desktop
Win + 0	Toggle debug mode

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🧪 Debug mode

Toggle debug mode with Win + 0

When enabled, the system shows additional popup diagnostics when changing desktops.

Debug information includes:

• Current active desktop
• Desktop history stack

Example debug output after switching desktops:

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📁 Project structure

win-desktop-manager/
├─ main.ahk
├─ README.md
│
├─ core/
│ ├─ desktop_manager.ahk
│ ├─ gui/
│ │ └─ popup.ahk
│ └─ utils/
│ └─ string_utils.ahk
│
└─ lib/
  └─ VirtualDesktopAccessor.dll

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⚙️ Recommended setup

🚫 Disable windows animations

It's also strongly recommended to disable windows animations in Accessibility settings (Windows 11) for a much better experience, since the desktop switching will be much faster:

1. Open Settings
2. Go to: Accessibility → Visual effects
3. Turn OFF: Animation effects

✏️ Rename virtual desktops (optional)

Before executing the script, create the desired number of virtual desktops by pressing Win + Tab. You could optionally name the desktops numbered sequentially (1–9) for a better view.