Can I save an XP session like I do in Linux?

[Oliver]

Hi folks,

I'm looking around for some software that will allow me to save a session in WindowsXP, like one can in Linux (ie, saving the state of one's computer, with respect to which programs/files are open, and the positions of the windows).  I often need to switch between using different sets of files/applications, depending on which project I'm working on.  Haven't found anything to do this yet.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Oli

[LoadWB]

I use the virtual desktop powertoy in XP for something similar, more like the multiple workspaces of CDE or Gnome.  It's not a full session save (as in not surviving a reboot like in Gnome) but it is useful for non-logoff working, similar to multiple screens on the Amiga.

[motorollin]

If you couple LoadWB's suggestion with Hibernation, then you have a way of making your sessions survive a reboot (well not really a reboot but at least you can power the machine off).

--
moto

[Zac67]

The only way to really do it in Windows is with a virtual machine - brute force suspension, I'd say.  :-P

[weirdami]

sounds like a bounty. :-)

[Oliver]

Hi folks,

Thanks for the responses.

It seems that XP doesn't quite do what I wanted (at least, I haven't found a way yet).  My main reason for saving sessions, was to swap between sets of files and applications which are running concurrently, as my machine can't handle running everything at the same time.

At work, when I finish working on one project, I need to close my apps, and files, and open other apps and files.  I do this up to 8 times a day, and just thought it would be neat if I could reload a previous work session, instead of opening everything individually.

I think Linux can perform such a task, though I've never had to do that for the programs I run in Linux.

Thanks anyway, everyone.  At least now I know about the virtual desktop power toy.

Cheers,

 :pint:

Oli

[seanys]

close my apps, and files, and open other apps and files.  I do this up to 8 times a day

I know exactly how you feel. My main (work) PC has as much resources as they let me buy and I have 2 other (lesser) desktops. I also leave stuff running on all of the 3 Windows servers I look after.

That way all my different 'roles' are just a KVM switch or Remote Desktop away.

[jj]

Ummmmm, Vista has this functionality, but who wants vista eh.

[Vincent]

open other apps and files.

Not that usefull, but it is reasonably handy.

If you've to open the same apps each session you could always make a folder on the desktop and inside that place shortcuts to the apps needed for one session (or even shortcuts to the files).

The all you need to do is open the folder, highlight all the shortcuts (CTRL a) then press enter.

Mind you this is only really handy if there's 5 or more apps needing opened.

[NoFastMem]

JJ wrote:
Ummmmm, Vista has this functionality, but who wants vista eh.

I suspect we'll see a lot of third-party apps popping up to implement Vista features on XP for people who're reluctant to upgrade. :-)

[James]

Can we really call it an upgrade at this point? Less functionality, less freedom, less speed. Seems like a downgrade to me

Seriously though. If you don't need to survive a reboot, can't you just switch user account? I never used it much, but the few times I did, I seem to remember XP handling that pretty well.