Free Fences Alternatives

    The best free alternative to Fences is Folderview Screenlet. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 10 alternatives to Fences and ten of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Fences are Sideslide (Free), ICU - Icon Configuration Utility (Free, Open Source), XLaunchpad (Freemium) and Dragthing (Freemium).

    This page was last updated Aug 24, 2021
    1. Folderview Screenlet is a Linux alternative to Fences (which is for Windows).

      Discontinued

      The program is no longer updated. Last version, 0.9.9, released in August 2010, can be still downloaded from the official website.

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      Almost everyone thinks Folderview Screenlet is a great alternative to Fences.
    2. SideSlide is an advanced, portable, unobtrusive, dockable, skinnable, instantly accessible, highly configurable Desktop Extension on Steroids! Clean desktop clutter and make your computer friendlier and faster than ever before.
      Sideslide vs Fences opinions
      Some users think Sideslide is a great alternative to Fences, some don't.
      It's a very comprehensive program with lots of features that can change the way you work with Windows.
      Positive comment • 5 months ago

      0
      Because it's not similar and easy to use like Fences that is a very intuitive application
      Negative comment • over 1 year ago

      1
    4. Restore your desktop when the icons get “rearranged”.
      ICU - Icon Configuration Utility vs Fences opinions
      This alternative is disputed. ICU - Icon Configuration Utility is still a legitimate alternative to Fences, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
      It only keeps the icons arranged, don't let you make fences which I think is the best feature of it.
      Negative comment • over 4 years ago

      1
    5. XLaunchpad gives you instant access to all your shortcuts. Arrange apps in XLaunchpad any way you like by dragging icons to different locations or by grouping apps in folders. Simply drag one icon over another to create a folder.

      Warning

      XLaunchPad setup installs adware extensions for browsers. VirusTotal result: https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/2a8eca9357cfae211564426dc461832ca2de70a9318ecba0468c4586fc4f4ffc/analysis/1426619620/ WOT comments: https://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/xwidget.com

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    6. DragThing is the original dock designed to tidy up your Macintosh desktop. It puts all your documents, folders, and applications just a single click away. Highly flexible, it allows multiple docks, each customised to suit your exact needs.

      Discontinued

      Notice on https://www.dragthing.com/ of discontinuation as of 2019.

    8. Organizes desktop into customizable containers - showing folders (e.g.: local folders, network locations) contents, displayed as icons/thumbnails on scrollable surface.
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      Nimi Places vs Fences opinions
      Some users think Nimi Places is a great alternative to Fences, some don't.
      Diveji I wanted to organize my desktop the way fences can and it worked out beatifully. I got just what I wanted from Nimi Places for free
      Top positive comment  about 4 years ago

      1
      Free, and it works almost the same. Just has a little more setup than Fences does.
      Top positive comment  over 3 years ago

      3
      It will not organize my icons on my desktop.
      Top negative comment  over 4 years ago

      6
      Nimi Places is not an exact replica of Fences, but(!) it will give you the look and feel. Instead of everything being on your desktop, it links it a folder. I am just going to change my behavior a tad and just know that my files, when placed in the fence, are not stored on the actual desktop. I still have easy access to move the files between the desktop to fence and vice versa, which is most important to me.
      Positive comment • over 1 year ago

      -2
      This performs ONE of Fences' secondary functions: displaying the contents of directories OTHER THAN the Desktop as virtual containers on the Desktop. IT IS NOT for organizing Desktop icons/files or setting up automatic rules for categorization of new Desktop icons/files.
      Negative comment • over 3 years ago

      5
      Just the basic but allows to define area where you can store link...
      Positive comment • about 5 years ago

      -1
      Actually it is better than Fences, giving more control over created fences.
      Positive comment • over 6 years ago

      -1
    9. ToolBox is an application launcher for Windows operating systems with many amazing features. Easy to install, you can get going in minutes. Its drag & drop interface creates shortcuts to almost anything; applications, drives, folders, even simple files.

      Discontinued

      The program is no longer updated. Last version, 2.97h, released in May 2011, can be still downloaded from the official website.

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      Some users think ToolBox is a great alternative to Fences, some don't.
    10. Partitions is the ultimate app to help you organize your desktop! Gone are the days of cluttered desktops with dozens (or even hundreds) of files. Using Partitions, you can create groupings of files and shortcuts right on your desktop.
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      Partitions vs Fences opinions
      pros, cons and recent comments
      chansoftwaresolutions I like how this app is free to use with great customizable options.
      Positive comment • 8 months ago

      -1
    11. Create containers (aka Portals) on your desktop which show the contents of a specified folder. Divide your desktop into folders then use Portals to display the contents of the folders in an organized fashion - you can even hide the folders away somewhere else.
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      Portals vs Fences opinions
      pros, cons and recent comments
      PointNorth It looks like windows native.
      Positive comment • about 1 month ago

      0
    12. Free desktop customization tool, that allows to change desktop background automatically, create colored areas for the icons on the desktop and place clock and calendar on the background.

      Discontinued

      The company stopped development for its applications. Last versions can be still downloaded from the official website.

      This alternative is disputed. SE-DesktopConstructor is still a legitimate alternative to Fences, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
    Showing 10 of 10 alternatives