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    AltDesk Frequently Asked Questions

     
     

     General questions

  • What is AltDesk?
  • How is AltDesk different from other Virtual Desktop managers?

  •  Applying and making skins

  • How do I apply skins?
  • Can I make AltDesk skins myself?

  •  Registration and license keys

  • I have lost my license key, what shall I do?
  • I have paid for a license but haven't got my key yet. What's wrong?
  • I've just installed AltDesk but the trial period seems to be expired. What's wrong?

  •  Feature requests

  • I want a feature ****. Will you implement it?
  • I have asked for a feature **** few months ago. Why haven't you implemented it?
  • Is there support for language ****?

  •  Troubleshooting

  • AltDesk is not working or is working incorrectly on my computer. What should I do?
  • I've downloaded AltDesk and my antivirus reports it's infected.
  • Why does switching Desktop take so long?
  • Where have all the preferences gone? I bet there used to be a feature ****.
  • Why does AltDesk sometimes display thumbnails, which are not up to the date or does not display any images at all?
  • I've changed something in the Advanced options and AltDesk has stopped working (killed my fish, ate my breakfast, etc...). Help me!!!



  •  General questions


     Q: What is AltDesk?


    A: AltDesk is a Virtual Desktop manager (VDM) for Windows, which helps people manage large numbers of tasks more efficiently. Linux and BeOS users can enjoy build-in Virtual Desktop managers, but most Windows users miss this feature.




     Q: How is AltDesk different from other Virtual Desktop managers?


    A: There're numerous differences. For example AltDesk represents each Virtual Desktop as a set of icons instead of creating Desktop thumbnails or just clickable buttons. This approach is more effective and time saving than other solutions. AltDesk allows you to recover "lost" applications, while other programs don't. AltDesk is easier to use and set up. Actually we've targeted it on users, who don't need just another trinket on their Desktops, but value their time. Besides, we use it on our own Desktops.




     Applying and making skins


     Q: How do I apply skins?


    A: From the version 1.6 on skins can be distributed as ASZ files. Just double click the downloaded ASZ file to install it.
    For previous versions you need to install skins manually by extracting skins' archive into "AltDesk/skins" folder. For example, if you have downloaded a file myskin.zip, you should extract it into [.../AltDesk/skins/downloaded_skin's_name] folder.




     Q: Can I make AltDesk skins myself?


    A: Sure. That's why we have included a comprehensive skinning tutorial into this help file. If you successfully finish the creation of your skin and think it's good enough, share it with us and you might be awarded a free license.




     Registration and license keys


     Q: I have lost my license key, what shall I do?


    A: Please, write to support. Do not forget to include your e-mail address you used registering Aston.




     Q: I have paid for a license but haven't got my key yet. What's wrong?


    A: As all the registration data is being processed by a third-party company we can't guarantee that you will get your key right after the money transfer. In certain cases you might need to wait for a day or even a few days.
    If you still haven't received your key in reasonable time, please, contact us.




     Q: I've just installed AltDesk but the trial period seems to be expired. What's wrong?


    A: It seems like the protection module has been activated. This could happen due to the following reasons:



    - You have already used a trial version of AltDesk before.


    - You, other users or third-party software has changed system date and/or time during the trial period.




     Feature requests


     Q: I want a feature ****. Will you implement it?


    A: Just post your ideas to our forum and this feature might be implemented in the upcoming version of the program.




     Q: I have asked for a feature **** few months ago. Why haven't you implemented it?


    A: Most probably this has not been done due to the following reasons:



    - Implementing this feature is impossible/too hard in the current version of Windows or implementing it may cause interference with other applications and/or slow down your system.


    - We consider this feature to be a redundant one. We wish to keep AltDesk a lightweight and an easy to use program and won't add any features that might bloat it.


    - We're already working on it (actually many features AltDesk has have been asked by users).




     Q: Is there support for language ****?


    A: AltDesk is translated into many languages. However if you find a certain translation to be incomplete or missing, you are welcome to help us to improve this situation, just contact us and get a free license to AltDesk.




     Troubleshooting


     Q: AltDesk is not working or is working incorrectly on my computer. What should I do?


    A: First of all make sure you've read the Help file, FAQ and made a search for the solution in our forum. If your question is still unanswered, feel free to report the problem to our support team.




     Q: I've downloaded AltDesk and my antivirus reports it's infected.


    A: AltDesk installer is known to cause false alerts by some antivirus software.




     Q: Why does switching Desktop take so long?


    A: Switching slowdown may appear when using Modern skins on slow computers or when you switch Desktops, which have a large number of running tasks with extended tooltips enabled. Try selecting a Classic skin or disabling extended tooltips.




     Q: Where have all the preferences gone? I bet there used to be a feature ****.


    A: From the version 1.6 on AltDesk comes with a completely new, ergonomic configuration GUI. Control positions should now be more obvious, all the values are set to recommended, and possibly dangerous and rarely used controls are hidden under the advanced options tab. If you're unable to find a certain function, then it's just not there.




     Q: Why does AltDesk sometimes display thumbnails, which are not up to the date or does not display any images at all?


    A: Implementing this feature is quite tricky under Windows OS. Thumbnails of windows, located on inactive Desktops, are not being updated until you switch to these Desktops. Besides, in certain cases AltDesk is also unable to catch window's content and just displays its name (for example, if a window has been minimized before AltDesk started).




     Q: I've changed something in the Advanced options and AltDesk has stopped working (killed my fish, ate my breakfast, etc...). Help me!!!


    A: We bet you were told not to adjust anything there, so the best solution might be reinstalling AltDesk or deleting it's configuration file (usually located at "C:\Documents and Settings\ your name \Application Data\AltDesk\altdesk.ini").




     
         
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