Windows desktop organization · objective comparison
Two different approaches to organizing a Windows desktop.
Fences® and Glass Desktop Box™ both help bring structure to a Windows desktop, but they approach the desktop experience differently. Glass Desktop Box combines visual Desktop Boxes with Desktop Experiences, personalization, direct file sharing and optional remote collaboration.
Compatible with Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 11 and Windows 365
Two established ideas, two different workflows
The choice of desktop organizer depends on the intended workflow. The comparison below describes each product’s current approach without declaring a winner.
Fences focuses on organizing desktop icons, files and folders into customizable Fence groups. Stardock’s current product information also lists automatic organization rules, Folder Portals, tabs, Peek, Icon Tint and visual customization.
Official Fences 6 product informationGlass Desktop Box focuses on organizing local files inside visual Desktop Boxes. It connects that organization with Desktop Experiences, Box personalization, direct file sharing and optional shared Remote ProBox workspaces.
All Glass Desktop Box featuresReal product demonstration
The demonstration shows visual Desktop Boxes turning a Windows desktop into an organized workspace. For faster loading, the video remains unloaded until it approaches the viewport or playback starts.
The silent demonstration shows a Windows desktop and Glass Desktop Box visual workspaces used to organize local files into clear project areas.
Feature-by-feature orientation
“Not listed” means that the capability is not presented as a native Fences 6 feature on Stardock’s current official product page. It does not claim that no external workflow or companion product can provide it.
| Capability | Glass Desktop Box™ | Fences® 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary organization approach | Visual Desktop Boxes for local files and projects | Fence groups for desktop icons, files and folders |
| Drag-and-drop organization | Supported | Supported |
| Folder access and sections | Folder linking and Selection Tabs | Folder Portals and tabs |
| Automatic organization rules | Manual, user-directed visual organization | Extensive automation rules and manual organization |
| Colors and transparency | Customizable Boxes, colors, transparency and backgrounds | Customizable groups, colors, transparency, tab styles and icon tint |
| Animated Box backgrounds | Native feature | Not listed as a native Fences 6 feature |
| Animated full-desktop experiences | Native feature | Not listed as a native Fences 6 feature |
| Direct P2P file sharing | Supported whenever a direct route is technically possible | Not listed as a native Fences 6 feature |
| Browser-based guest sharing | Supported through Remote invitations | Not listed as a native Fences 6 feature |
| Remote shared workspace | Remote ProBox, scheduled for October 1, 2026 | Not listed as a native Fences 6 feature |
| Shared workspace chat and notes | Remote ProBox, scheduled for October 1, 2026 | Not listed as a native Fences 6 feature |
| Windows compatibility | Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 11 and Windows 365 | Windows 10, Windows 11 and Windows on ARM |
Fences information last checked against Stardock’s official Fences 6 product page on September 5, 2026.
Glass Desktop Box differentiators
Local files and projects are organized inside customizable visual Desktop Boxes.
Desktop organization combines with static or animated visual environments.
Individual Desktop Boxes support video backgrounds and workspace personalization.
Selected files transfer directly whenever a peer-to-peer connection is technically possible, with encrypted relay fallback when required.
A shared visual workspace provides synchronized files, notes and chat where supported by the selected plan.
Box layouts, transparency, colors, backgrounds and visual appearance are customizable.
A workflow-based decision
Before and after
These are genuine Glass Desktop Box product views. No competitor interface or branded material is reproduced.
Current entry plan
Starter for Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 11 64-bit and Windows 365 Cloud PCs is available now. It includes one annual license and 5 GB of measured relay transfer per month; direct P2P traffic is not counted against that relay allowance.
Frequently asked questions
It can be considered by people comparing Windows desktop organizers, but the products take different approaches. Fences focuses on organizing desktop content in Fence groups with automation rules, Folder Portals, tabs and Peek. Glass Desktop Box combines visual Desktop Boxes with Desktop Experiences, personalization and connected file-sharing workflows.
Fences is centered on desktop icon, file and folder organization. Glass Desktop Box also organizes local desktop files visually, while adding animated Box backgrounds, full Desktop Experiences, direct file sharing and optional Remote ProBox collaboration.
Yes. Glass Desktop Box is a Windows desktop application for organizing local files in visual Desktop Boxes. It is not presented as a decorative mock-up or as a replacement for the Windows file system.
Yes. Individual Desktop Boxes can use video backgrounds, and Desktop Experiences can combine organization with static or animated visual environments.
Yes. A recipient can open a Remote invitation in a browser, and selected files are transferred directly when a peer-to-peer route is technically possible. An encrypted relay fallback can be used when a direct route is unavailable.
Glass Desktop Box is compatible with Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 11 and Windows 365. The application is installed in the respective Windows environment.
This comparison is written by the Glass Desktop Box product team. Details about Fences 6 are limited to current public information from Stardock and should be checked again before making a purchase decision because product features can change.
The visual workspace approach