This is done by moving the title bar into a position off screen. It is still there but not visible to the user as its visibility lies outside the visual monitor screen. The application will place an icon in the Windows system tray which can be used to execute the maximize function. A double-click on the icon (or a right-click and the selection of Super Maximize Window) will maximize the active window so that the title bar is not shown on the screen.

The same function can be executed by pressing the [Windows F11] key. Performing the same action again will return the window to its previous stage. The Winsupermaximize software uses a little bit more than 3 Megabytes of computer memory while running and could provide those extra pixels that are needed in some situations.

Its limitations are that it only works with taskbars that are set to automatically hide (at least for horizontal taskbars that is) and that it will not work correctly on multi-monitor systems as it will always maximize the active window on the main computer screen even if it was located on the secondary screen.

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All seven default actions can be turned off in case they are not needed or interfere with other applications. It is also possible to change the action by assigning different keys and mouse buttons / movements to it.

One of the main features of AltMove is the creation of new actions. A new action can be created by selecting an template from ten available ones. Among them hiding windows, emulating keystrokes or making screenshots.

A click on ok will load the selected action in the main interface. The user has to assign one key and a mouse button for the new action which becomes active immediately afterwards. Some of the features, like moving or resizing windows, ignore restrictions which means that it is possible to resize windows that are usually not resizable.

The middle mouse button is by default assigned to the magnifier which unfortunately interfered with the middle mouse click in Firefox. It was however no problem to add a key to the magnifier.

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Windows Management tools like Desklayer step in and provide semi-automatic functions to work efficiently with windows on the Windows desktop. Desklayer is an Open-Source windows management tool that is working on Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems. The developer has released an early beta version of it to the public which means it could be that users who work with the program run into errors or bugs.

Desklayer offers border and grid layout modes for windows arrangement. One of its main features is the possibility to dynamically resize and rearrange the windows so that all space on the desktop is being used.

The Border layout offers a wider variety of options that require some explanation. The user can define the exact dimensions of the border cells and use several keyboard shortcuts to move windows around in the layout.

Desklayer requires a few minutes of trial and error before the user gets used to the program mechanics. While the Border Layout mode was working fine on Windows XP I had troubles with the Grid Layout which was displaying an error message whenever I tried to maximize a window. It was possible to continue by ignoring the error message though.

It is practical to remember a few keyboard shortcuts when working with the windows management tool. Pressing ALT and an arrow key moves the current active window to that side while CTRL exchanges the windows when in border mode.

Desklayer shows some promise and it will be interesting to check in on it again in a later version.

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I did feel a little bit overwhelmed by the plethora of options and settings of the application. It too almost 15 minutes before I thought that I had seen all of the functions of the program.

Zen Key is an application manager that can launch, manage and manipulate applications. Most of its features can be executed with a few keystrokes. Alt Space opens the Zen Key menu by default which puts everything at your fingertips.

zen key

Zen Key, among other things offers the following features:

• Work and play on an Infinite desktop (almost)
• Launch a program or a file
• Control program windows
• Automatically make windows transparent
• Iconify windows
• Open folders
• Control Media Applications
• Open Websites, perform an Internet search
• Issue a Windows System command
• Simulate a series of keystrokes

Zen Key uses only 6 Megabytes of memory when running which is really astonishing. Two windows had been iconified and the virtual desktop was displayed when I checked the memory usage.

The major problem that users might have with Zen Key is that it is quite complex and takes a while to get just to. It does add a few nice features that seem pretty unique to me though and that alone makes it a program that is worth that time.

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The numpad keys 7,9,1 and 3 are used to move the active window to a corner of the screen without resizing it and the 5 centers the active window on the screen. Each of the five keys needs the Windows key as well. Another function is provided by the + and – keys on the numeric pad which, when pressed with the Windows key, change the size of the active window to the resolutions 640 x 480, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768, 1152 x 864 and 1280 x 1024 which is nice if you want to test a application in a specific resolution.

Last but not least the enter key on the numpad will maximize the active window or reduce the size of a maximized window to its normal size and the 0 key on the numpad will minimize the active window.

An alternate set of keys are available for laptop users who normally do not have access to the numpad. Freesnap is compatible to Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista and simply runs in the background once started.

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