VD.ahk: Virtual Desktop

Windows 11 support, Windows Server 2022, ahkv2: v2_port

Just run the examples, everything explained inside

• Numpad1 to go to Desktop 1
  
• Numpad2 to go to Desktop 2
  
• Numpad3 to go to Desktop 3
  

numpad1::VD.goToDesktopNum(1)
numpad2::VD.goToDesktopNum(2)
numpad3::VD.goToDesktopNum(3)

if you don't want VD switching animation, set VD.animation_on:=false

• Win + x move VSCode to your current Desktop and WinActivate
• Win + e move "explorer replacement program" to your current Desktop and WinActivate

#x::VD.MoveWindowToCurrentDesktop("ahk_exe Code.exe ahk_class Chrome_WidgetWin_1")
#e::VD.MoveWindowToCurrentDesktop("ahk_explorer ahk_exe AutoHotkey.exe")

• Numpad4 to move the active window to Desktop 1
  
• Numpad5 to move the active window to Desktop 2
  
• Numpad6 to move the active window to Desktop 3
  
• here, I choose to follow the window

numpad4::VD.MoveWindowToDesktopNum("A",1), VD.goToDesktopNum(1)
numpad5::VD.MoveWindowToDesktopNum("A",2), VD.goToDesktopNum(2)
numpad6::VD.MoveWindowToDesktopNum("A",3), VD.goToDesktopNum(3)

numpad7::VD.MoveWindowToDesktopNum("A",1)
numpad8::VD.MoveWindowToDesktopNum("A",2)
numpad9::VD.MoveWindowToDesktopNum("A",3)

...

; wrapping / cycle back to first desktop when at the last
^#left::VD.goToRelativeDesktopNum(-1)
^#right::VD.goToRelativeDesktopNum(+1)

; move window to left and follow it
#!left::VD.goToDesktopNum(VD.MoveWindowToRelativeDesktopNum("A", -1))
; move window to right and follow it
#!right::VD.goToDesktopNum(VD.MoveWindowToRelativeDesktopNum("A", 1))

you can remap everything

---

detect when the virtual desktop changes:
create a hotkey to return you to the previous desktop

#Include %A_LineFile%\..\VD.ahk
VD.RegisterDesktopNotifications()
VD.CurrentVirtualDesktopChanged:=Func("CurrentVirtualDesktopChanged")
VD.previous_desktopNum:=1
CurrentVirtualDesktopChanged(desktopNum_Old, desktopNum_New) {
  VD.previous_desktopNum:=desktopNum_Old
}
Numpad0::VD.goToDesktopNum(VD.previous_desktopNum)

---

also has:

• createDesktop()

• rename desktop: VD.setNameToDesktopNum("custom Desktop Name",desktopNum)

• PinWindow()

• getCount() ;how many virtual desktops you now have
• pretty much everything virtual desktop, or so I think!
  if there's anything missing/something you want: create an issue: I want to know what you're using it for

here's quick nice example: "get desktopNum of all windows"

#Include %A_LineFile%\..\..\VD.ahk

foundProcesses := ""
; Make sure to get all windows from all virtual desktops
DetectHiddenWindows On
WinGet, id, List
Loop %id%
{
    hwnd := id%A_Index%
    ;VD.getDesktopNumOfWindow will filter out invalid windows
    desktopNum_ := VD.getDesktopNumOfWindow("ahk_id" hwnd)
    If (desktopNum_ > -1) ;-1 for invalid window, 0 for "Show on all desktops", 1 for Desktop 1
    {
        WinGet, exe, ProcessName, % "ahk_id" hwnd
        foundProcesses .= desktopNum_ " " exe "`n"
    }
}

MsgBox % foundProcesses

cool fixes:

• Switching VD does not make icons (on the taskbar) flash
  mzomparelli/zVirtualDesktop#59 (comment)

Sometimes when I switch desktop, the application that's focused on that desktop becomes highlighted in the task bar.

Example: On desktop A, I have Firefox:

On desktop B I have Steam (note that Firefox is pinned to my task bar, which is why it's visible on this desktop):

When I switch from A to B, Steam becomes highlighted:
(It's possible to stop the blinking by explicitly selecting the blinking window with the mouse or alt+tab.)

When I switch back to A, Firefox also becomes highlighted (and Steam stays visible in the taskbar because it is highlighted):

This doesn't always happen; I'm not sure if it depends on the programs or where the mouse/keyboard focus is when switching desktops. That said, it happens far too often, to the point where it defeats the point of having multiple desktops at all.

(The problem isn't limited to Firefox and Steam, the same thing also happens with other programs like Explorer.)

how ? WinActivate taskbar before switching and WinMinimize taskbar after arriving

• Switch VD reliably works in FULLSCREEN thanks to SetTimer, pleaseSwitchDesktop, -50

---

if you don't use these headers, it will be slow:

#NoEnv ; Recommended for performance and compatibility with future AutoHotkey releases.
#SingleInstance force
ListLines Off
SetBatchLines -1
SendMode Input ; Recommended for new scripts due to its superior speed and reliability.
SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir% ; Ensures a consistent starting directory.
#KeyHistory 0
#WinActivateForce

Process, Priority,, H

SetWinDelay -1
SetControlDelay -1

---

if you want global functions style instead of a class:
eg: VD_goToDesktopNum() instead of VD.goToDesktopNum()
then visit branch global_functions
but it won't be updated

---

from https://github.com/MScholtes/VirtualDesktop/blob/812c321e286b82a10f8050755c94d21c4b69812f/VirtualDesktop11.cs#L161-L185
Windows 11 has more functionality,
if you need:

• MoveDesktop: // move current desktop to desktop in index (-> index = 0..Count-1)
  
• SetDesktopName
  
• SetDesktopWallpaper
  
• GetDesktopIsPerMonitor
  
• etc.
• or anything else that's not On this list

create an issue saying what function(s) you need, what you'll be using it for (I'm curious)