Which installer should I download?

Choose x64 for almost all Intel and AMD PCs, or ARM64 for Windows on ARM devices such as Snapdragon laptops. Both are offline installers with the runtime bundled.

Why does SmartScreen warn about the installer?

The installer is not code-signed yet. The project publishes SHA-256 checksums with every release so you can verify your download, and says signing through SignPath is planned.

DeskBox - Free Desktop Organizer for Windows

About DeskBox

DeskBox is a free, open-source desktop organizer for Windows built by Tianyu Zhu. Its building blocks are resizable widgets that live on your desktop: managed file boxes backed by ordinary folders, and folder-mapping widgets that display an existing directory without moving it. Files inside a box remain normal files you can open, rename, copy or delete with the usual Windows actions, so DeskBox never locks your data into a private format. The idea is close to Stardock Fences, but free and GPL-licensed, with files always visible in Explorer.

Boxes can stack similar files, merge into tabbed groups, and collapse into compact capsules that expand on hover or click; pressing F7 hides or recalls every widget at once. An Organize Desktop flow previews a full cleanup by category before moving anything, with per-file selection and resumable transfers.

Around the file tools, DeskBox adds a todo list with reminders and recurrence, quick notes with Markdown, a search popup that reuses Everything's local index (Everything is installed separately), weather forecasts, music controls, and a Glance calendar widget. Built with WinUI 3 and .NET 10, its widgets use native Mica or Acrylic materials and follow the Windows theme.

DeskBox is local-first: no account, no cloud sync, and the only optional online backup goes to your own WebDAV server. The interface ships in thirteen languages. Version 1.5.9 (October 2026) added Windows 11-native right-click menus, Korean language support, a calmer updater and a reliability pass over widgets and drag-and-drop.

Download note. The direct installers are currently unsigned, so SmartScreen will warn; the project publishes SHA-256 checksums with each release - verify before running. Choose x64 for Intel and AMD PCs or ARM64 for Windows on ARM devices. Both are offline installers with the runtime bundled.

Quick info. Version 1.5.9 (October 23, 2026) · 32.15 MB (x64) / 31.60 MB (ARM64) · GPL-3.0-only · Windows 10/11 · Developer: Tianyu Zhu · Source: github.com/Tianyu199509/DeskBox

Screenshots: DeskBox project / Tianyu Zhu, GPL-3.0, unmodified. Official source repository.

Featured in discoveries: DeskBox: Native Widgets for an Organized Windows Desktop.

Key Features

File boxes backed by real folders

Collect desktop files into managed boxes backed by ordinary Windows folders, with drag-and-drop, copy, rename and reveal in Explorer. Files stay normal files.

Folder mapping

Display an existing folder, like Downloads or a project directory, on the desktop without moving anything.

Stacks and tabbed groups

Stack similar files manually or with opt-in automatic grouping, and merge boxes into tabbed groups you switch with the mouse wheel.

Preview-first desktop cleanup

The Organize Desktop flow previews a cleanup by category before anything moves, with per-file selection and resumable transfers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free and open source (GPL-3.0), no account, no ads
Boxes backed by real folders; files stay normal files
Native Windows 11 look with Mica and Acrylic materials
Offline installer with bundled runtime; x64 and ARM64 builds
F7 hides or recalls all widgets instantly
Optional backup to your own WebDAV server

Cons

Windows only; reduced materials and animations on Windows 10
Installer is currently unsigned, so SmartScreen warns
Desktop file search needs Everything installed separately
Maintained by a single developer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DeskBox free?

Yes. DeskBox is free and open source under the GPL-3.0 license, with no ads, accounts or paid tiers on the direct download. Earlier versions were published under the MIT license.

Does DeskBox replace the Windows desktop?

No. Explorer stays in charge. DeskBox adds independently managed widgets above the normal desktop, and your files remain ordinary files and folders.

Does DeskBox move my files?

A folder-mapping widget only displays an existing folder and moves nothing. Dropping files into a managed box stores them in that box's backing folder; the drag behavior is configurable.

DeskBox