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Tianyu199509/DeskBox

A free, open-source Windows desktop organizer that groups desktop files into WinUI 3 folder widgets without moving them out of Explorer.

Open-source alternative to:Stardock Fences

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Last commit
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What is it?

DeskBox adds independent widgets above the Windows desktop to organize files, map existing folders, and keep everyday tools close. File widgets can be backed by ordinary folders or map an existing folder in place, so files stay where they are on disk. Widgets support icon and list layouts, manual or rule-based sorting, stacks, groups, and drag-and-drop in and out, and can organize desktop files by category.

The app also includes a todo list, Quick Capture notes, a desktop search popup that uses Everything's local index when Everything is installed, Glance calendar, weather, and a music control widget. Capsule mode collapses widgets into compact shapes, and widgets are tied to individual displays so layouts persist across monitor changes. Settings can be backed up locally or to a user-owned WebDAV server.

DeskBox targets Windows 10 (build 19041) and Windows 11, with x64 and ARM64 builds. It is written in C# on .NET 10 with Native AOT and a Rust native layer, and is licensed under GPL-3.0.

Key features

  • 01Creates file widgets backed by real folders, or maps an existing folder without moving it.
  • 02Offers icon and list layouts with manual or rule-based sorting and stacking.
  • 03Organizes desktop files by category with a preview before moving anything.
  • 04Provides desktop search that can use Everything's local index.
  • 05Includes todos, Quick Capture notes, weather, music controls, and a calendar widget.
  • 06Supports multiple displays with per-screen widget layouts and capsule collapsing.

Use cases

  • Keeping a cluttered Windows desktop tidy without changing how Explorer works.
  • Showing a project or downloads folder as a widget on the desktop.
  • Running a local, no-account desktop dashboard with notes, tasks, and weather.
  • Backing up settings and todos to a personal WebDAV server.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Download the x64 or ARM64 installer from GitHub Releases

  2. 2

    Run the downloaded installer to install DeskBox

Things to know

  • Windows 10/11 only; no macOS or Linux support.
  • Everything search integration requires separately installing Everything, which is not bundled.
  • Licensed under GPL-3.0, a copyleft license that requires derivative works to remain open source.
  • External pull requests are not being merged at this time.

Topics

#windows#desktop-organizer#file-management#winui-3#csharp#desktop-widgets#productivity#desktop-cleanup#desktop-widget#dotnet10

FAQ

What is DeskBox?
A free, open-source Windows desktop organizer that groups desktop files into WinUI 3 folder widgets without moving them out of Explorer. DeskBox adds independent widgets above the Windows desktop to organize files, map existing folders, and keep everyday tools close. File widgets can be backed by ordinary folders or map an existing folder in place, so files stay where they are on disk. Widgets support icon and list layouts, manual or rule-based sorting, stacks, groups, and drag-and-drop in and out, and can organize desktop files by category.
Is DeskBox free to use? What license does it have?
DeskBox is open source under the GPL-3.0 license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is DeskBox still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to DeskBox was on Oct 16, 2026.
What can I use DeskBox for?
Keeping a cluttered Windows desktop tidy without changing how Explorer works. Showing a project or downloads folder as a widget on the desktop. Running a local, no-account desktop dashboard with notes, tasks, and weather. Backing up settings and todos to a personal WebDAV server.
How do I install DeskBox?
Download the x64 or ARM64 installer from GitHub Releases Run the downloaded installer to install DeskBox
Where can I get DeskBox?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/Tianyu199509/DeskBox

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