Desktop Restore VS SharpKeys

Compare Desktop Restore VS SharpKeys and see what are their differences

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Desktop Restore

MIDI-OX is the world's greatest all-purpose MIDI Utility.

SharpKeys

SharpKeys is a utility that manages a Registry key that allows Windows to remap one key to any...

Not present

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2022-11-02

Desktop Restore features and specs

Easy to Use
Desktop Restore provides a straightforward interface that simplifies the process of saving and restoring desktop icon layouts.
Supported on Multiple Windows Versions
The software is compatible with various Windows versions, including Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10, ensuring broad usability.
Lightweight
Desktop Restore has a small footprint and does not consume significant system resources, making it suitable for all types of systems.
Free to Use
The application is available for free, making it accessible without any financial investment.
Restores Icon Layouts Easily
It allows users to effortlessly restore desktop icon positions after they have been rearranged or messed up due to resolution changes or other issues.

Possible disadvantages of Desktop Restore

Limited Features
The software focuses solely on saving and restoring desktop icon layouts and does not offer additional customization or organization features.
No Official Support
There is no dedicated customer support or extensive documentation available, which can be a drawback if users encounter issues.
Potential Compatibility Issues
While generally compatible with many Windows versions, some users have reported occasional issues with certain system configurations or updates.
Manual Backup Required
Users need to remember to save their icon layout manually before any changes, as the software does not automatically back up the current state.

SharpKeys features and specs

Open Source
SharpKeys is available on GitHub, which means it is open source. This allows users to inspect the code, contribute to development, or customize it for their needs.
Free of Cost
SharpKeys is entirely free to use, making it accessible to anyone without the need for a commercial license.
Simple User Interface
The interface is straightforward and easy to use, which makes the process of remapping keys simple even for non-technical users.
Registry-Based Remapping
SharpKeys makes changes directly to the Windows registry, ensuring that the remapped keys work across all applications without the need for additional software running in the background.
Minimal Resource Usage
Because SharpKeys modifies the registry rather than running a constant background process, it uses minimal system resources.
Portability
Once the registry changes are made, SharpKeys does not need to remain installed on the system, making it a lightweight, one-time-use tool.

Possible disadvantages of SharpKeys

Windows Only
SharpKeys is designed to work exclusively on Windows operating systems, which limits its usability for users on macOS, Linux, or other platforms.
Limited to Registry
The tool operates by modifying the Windows registry, so it cannot handle complex remapping scenarios that need real-time processing, such as conditional key mappings.
No Advanced Features
SharpKeys lacks advanced features found in more sophisticated key remapping software, such as macro recording, multi-key remapping, or application-specific profiles.
Requires Admin Rights
Since changes are made to the Windows registry, administrative privileges are required, which might be restrictive in some organizational environments.
Potential for Errors
Incorrect registry changes could potentially lead to system instability or errors, especially for users who are not familiar with the Windows registry.
Reboot Required
For registry changes to take effect, a system reboot is necessary, which can be inconvenient for users needing immediate results.

Analysis of Desktop Restore

Overall verdict

Desktop Restore generally receives favorable feedback for its ease of use and effectiveness. Despite being a relatively simple tool, it performs its intended function reliably, making it a worthwhile solution for users experiencing issues with desktop icon displacement.

Why this product is good

Desktop Restore from midiox.com is considered a good tool because it allows users to save and restore the layout of their desktop icon positions. This can be especially useful for those who frequently change screen resolutions or connect to different monitors, as these actions often lead to desktop icon disorganization. The software's simplicity and effectiveness in preserving workspace organization have been positively noted by its users.

Recommended for

Desktop Restore is recommended for users who frequently alter their display settings, such as developers or designers who work with multiple monitors, gamers who switch resolutions, or anyone who simply wants to maintain a specific desktop icon layout without hassle.

Analysis of SharpKeys

Overall verdict

SharpKeys is generally considered a good tool for users who need an easy and effective way to remap keys on Windows. It has a straightforward interface and does not require advanced technical skills to use, making it accessible to a wide range of users. It is also open-source and has a supportive community on GitHub, which contributes to its reliability and improvement over time.

Why this product is good

SharpKeys is a utility that allows users to remap keys on their Windows keyboards. It modifies the Windows Registry to achieve this, which is particularly useful for users who want to change the function of a specific key, disable a key, or swap keys to better match their personal typing preferences or overcome keyboard limitations.

Recommended for

SharpKeys is recommended for Windows users who need to customize their keyboard layout, such as programmers, writers, or anyone who frequently uses specific key combinations. It is also suitable for users who want to disable keys that are accidentally pressed often, such as Caps Lock or Insert, as well as those who want to swap keys for ergonomic reasons or due to a damaged key on their keyboard.

Desktop Restore videos

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SharpKeys videos

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[Windows] Changing Modifier Keys Using SharpKeys | Reassigning Modifier Keys & SharpKeys Tutorial

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Desktop Restore and SharpKeys)

Desktop Restore

SharpKeys

Productivity

100 100%

Productivity

0% 0

Automation

0 0%

Automation

100% 100

Office & Productivity

100 100%

Office & Productivity

0% 0

Windows Tools

45 45%

Windows Tools

55% 55

User comments

Share your experience with using Desktop Restore and SharpKeys. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SharpKeys seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 52 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Desktop Restore mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Desktop Restore yet. Tracking of Desktop Restore recommendations started around Mar 2021.

SharpKeys mentions (52)

Shortcut for rotating canvas by 15° left or right without a mouse
I don't like using my mouse while drawing and I couldn't find how to do this anywhere, but luckily when I was about to give up I achieved it! So, for this you'll need a program called SharpKeys. You can download it here: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys/. Source: over 1 year ago
Caps Lock Behaviour Disabled in Gnome
Sharpkeys can swap keys, the readme says as much: > Things that SharpKeys will do: > ... > Allow you to swap two keys with each other - e.g. You can swap Left Windows with Left Control and vice versa I do have a vague recollection of Sharpkeys previously saying that it couldn’t, but that I tried and it worked. Long time since I last used Windows though. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
Total Commander
> Total commander isn’t FOSS. I'm aware of that. There are lots of FOSS equivalents, though. Including, I believe, on Windows. Wikipedia lists 23 of which I think -- haven't checked -- the majority are FOSS. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_manager#Orthodox_file_managers > Ironically windows 11 can’t do vertical taskbars. True. Easily fixed with Explorer Patcher, though. Which, ironically, is FOSS. > And... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
Learn AutoHotKey by stealing my scripts
Remapping Capslock to Control: Windows: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys Ubuntu Linux (don't know about other Linuxes): /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/pc
```
    key  { [ Caps_Lock  ] };
```
. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
Setup Media Key shortcuts
SharpKeys: available in the Microsoft Store. Or you can get it here: https://www.randyrants.com/category/sharpkeys/ or here: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys. Source: about 2 years ago