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SPECIFICTION
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DeskBox

deskbox.fun

Free plan Open source Windows
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Spec score 8.6 #2 of 47 in Desktop Organization Software

What it is

DeskBox is a free Windows app for organizing desktop files in boxes, mapped folders, stacks, and groups. File boxes support drag and drop, renaming, deletion, opening, and locating items in File Explorer. Mapped folders appear on the desktop without changing the original folder location. Similar files can be stacked manually or automatically, and grouped boxes can be switched with the mouse wheel or Ctrl+Tab. A cleanup flow lets users select files individually, include the public desktop, and resume an interrupted cleanup. Built-in boxes cover files, to-dos, notes, and music controls. DeskBox says files, to-dos, notes, and cache remain on the computer and are not uploaded to the cloud by default. Its built-in boxes have no feature restrictions, ads, or subscriptions; the app is listed as GPL-3.0-only with free personal use. It supports Windows 10 version 21H2 or later and Windows 11, with some materials and animations reduced on Windows 10. Direct installers support x64 or ARM64.

Spec sheet

What it does
DeskBox adds movable desktop widgets for organizing files, folders and everyday tools while leaving Windows Explorer and ordinary files in place.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deskbox.fun
Purpose
DeskBox organizes files on the Windows desktop using file boxes, folder mapping, stacks, groups, and desktop cleanup.Read 29 Sep 2026 · deskbox.fun
Privacy
DeskBox requires no account or cloud synchronization; configuration, notes, tasks, history, layouts and managed files remain local by default.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The maker directs users with questions or suggestions to the feedback channel and its 大雨实验室 public account.Read 29 Sep 2026 · deskbox.fun
License
Current releases use the GPL-3.0-only license; earlier MIT releases remain available and were not relicensed retroactively.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker
DeskBox was started and is maintained by Tianyu Zhu, a product manager who describes the project as a solo after-work effort.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deskbox.fun
API and SDK
No public web API, SDK or plugin-extension interface is documented; the project is distributed as a Windows application and source repository.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Automatic organization
New desktop files can be organized after downloads or extraction settle, with a configurable dwell period up to 12 hours.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Backup
Settings can be backed up locally, while todos, quick captures and widget styles can optionally be scheduled to a user-controlled WebDAV server.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Capsule mode
Widgets can collapse into capsules that expand on click or hover, and capsules can be arranged into movable bars.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deskbox.fun
Commercial version
The Microsoft Store version is described as a supporter edition with the same features as the open-source version; its price is not stated on the download page.Read 29 Sep 2026 · deskbox.fun
Desktop cleanup
The Organize Desktop workflow previews files, allows per-file selection, can include Public Desktop items and resumes interrupted runs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deskbox.fun
Developer documentation
The repository includes architecture, article, release and test documentation plus build scripts for x64 and ARM64 packages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Documentation
The help center provides feature guides, quick-start instructions, settings guidance, backup topics, installation notes and FAQs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deskbox.fun
Download requirements
The direct installer supports x64 or ARM64 and includes the matching Windows App Runtime for offline installation.Read 29 Sep 2026 · deskbox.fun
Everything integration
File search can use the separate Everything local index through IPC; Everything is not bundled and must be installed separately.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
File operations
File widgets support native drag and drop, copy, cut, paste, rename, delete, opening and Explorer location actions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deskbox.fun
File widgets
Widgets can collect files into managed storage or map existing folders without moving their originals.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deskbox.fun
Folder mapping
Mapped folders appear on the desktop without changing the original folder location.Read 29 Sep 2026 · deskbox.fun
Installation
Full Native AOT installers bundle the Windows App Runtime and can install offline without a separate .NET runtime.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deskbox.fun
Integrity check
Each installer is accompanied by a same-name .sha256 checksum file.Read 29 Sep 2026 · deskbox.fun
License and ads
The help page says all built-in boxes are available without feature restrictions, ads, or subscriptions; the about page lists GPL-3.0-only and free personal use.Read 29 Sep 2026 · deskbox.fun
Limit: default move behavior
Techno360 warned that dropping a file into a new widget moves it into that widget’s folder by default, which may surprise users.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techno360.in
Limit: separate search dependency
Techno360 noted that whole-PC file search requires installing Everything separately because DeskBox does not bundle it.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techno360.in
Limit: unsigned installer
Techno360 reported that the installer was not code-signed and could trigger a Windows SmartScreen warning.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techno360.in
Limit: Windows-only
JustGeek describes DeskBox as available for Windows 10 and Windows 11, with x64 and ARM64 installers and no other platform listed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · justgeek.fr
Local data
DeskBox says user files, to-dos, notes, and cache stay on the computer and are not uploaded to the cloud by default.Read 29 Sep 2026 · deskbox.fun
Multi-monitor support
Widget layouts are associated with displays and restored when monitors reconnect or configurations change.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Music controls
The music widget controls Windows media sessions, playback mode, progress and system volume.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Native file handling
File boxes support drag and drop, rename, delete, open, and locating items in File Explorer using familiar Windows file operations.Read 29 Sep 2026 · deskbox.fun
Network behavior
Network requests are used for weather, update checks, explicitly imported remote URLs and configured WebDAV backups.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Notable news
Version 1.5.7 released on 2026-10-13 with a fix ensuring tray exit ends the process, Windows 10 drag-out card repairs and theme-consistent dialogs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deskbox.fun
Praise: native organization
JustGeek reported that customizable, movable and resizable widgets make it easy to keep Windows files, shortcuts, notes, tasks, weather and music together.Read 15 Oct 2026 · justgeek.fr
Praise: quick reveal
Techno360’s hands-on review praised the F7 shortcut for hiding widgets and restoring them above the active window.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techno360.in
Praise: workflow visibility
A SourceForge reviewer called DeskBox a great Windows productivity tool.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Quick Capture
Quick Capture stores reusable text, links, images and files with pinning, Markdown editing, previews and attachments.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
QuickLook integration
Supported files can be previewed with the Space key when a running QuickLook installation is available.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Rating on SourceForge
5.0 out of 5 from 1 reviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Search
Search covers files, folders, applications, settings, notes and todos in one popup or widget.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Self-hosting
There is no server deployment model; users can build the Windows application from source, and optional backups target their own WebDAV server.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Stacks
Files can be stacked manually or automatically grouped inside widgets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deskbox.fun
Stacks and groups
Similar files can be stacked manually or automatically, and grouped boxes can be switched with the mouse wheel or Ctrl+Tab.Read 29 Sep 2026 · deskbox.fun
System requirements
Supported systems are Windows 10 build 19041 or later and Windows 11, with matching x64 or ARM64 installers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deskbox.fun
Technology
The application uses C#, WinUI 3, .NET 10 Native AOT, Windows App SDK 2.5.1 and a Rust native shell layer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Todo widget
Todo supports due dates, reminders, recurrence, Markdown notes, attachments, filters and batch actions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Weather integration
Weather uses MSN Weather with Open-Meteo as an automatic fallback.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Widget groups
Multiple file widgets can be merged and switched with the title wheel or Ctrl+Tab without changing their backing folders.Read 15 Oct 2026 · deskbox.fun
Widgets
The product page describes built-in boxes for files, to-dos, notes, and music controls.Read 29 Sep 2026 · deskbox.fun
Windows support
DeskBox supports Windows 10 version 21H2 or later and Windows 11; some materials and animations are reduced on Windows 10.Read 29 Sep 2026 · deskbox.fun

Plans and prices

Direct installer Free Free Windows 10/11 · x64 or ARM64 · offline installer Read 15 Oct 2026 · deskbox.fun
官网直装版 Free 永久免费 Windows 10 21H2+ / Windows 11 · x64 or ARM64 Read 29 Sep 2026 · deskbox.fun
Microsoft Store Priced on request Paid; price not stated Windows Store installation and updates · same features as open-source version Read 15 Oct 2026 · deskbox.fun

Every DeskBox plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • File boxes support familiar file operations
  • Mapped folders keep their original locations
  • Stacks can be created manually or automatically
  • Cleanup can resume after interruption
  • Built-in boxes have no ads or subscriptions

Limits

  • Windows only
  • Some materials and animations are reduced on Windows 10
  • Requires Windows 10 version 21H2 or later, or Windows 11

Who it suits

DeskBox suits Windows users who want to organize desktop items without moving mapped folders from their original locations. It also fits people who want local handling of files, notes, and to-dos by default.

Verdict

DeskBox offers several ways to arrange desktop files and includes a resumable cleanup flow. It is limited to Windows, and some visual materials are reduced on Windows 10.

Where Specifiction places it

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