Mac Gems: Get control of your Mac’s desktop with Desktop Groups

Editor’s note: The following review is part of Macworld’s GemFest 2013. Every day (except Sunday) from mid-July until late September, the Macworld staff will use the Mac Gems blog to briefly cover a standout free or low-cost program. Learn more about GemFest in this Macworld podcast. You can view a list of this year’s apps, updated daily, on our handy GemFest page, and you can visit the Mac Gems homepage for past Mac Gems reviews.

Does your desktop look like a war zone, with icons and documents scattered all over the place? You’re not alone, and Desktop Groups 1.4.1 (Mac App Store link) is a great way to keep your files organized.

The app allows you to divide off the contents of the desktop in arbitrary containers—appropriately called “groups.” Each group can be home to as many files as you need, and, like a Finder window, can be resized to your liking; if its contents exceed the visible area, you can just scroll up and down with your trackpad or mouse until you find what you’re looking for.

A few additional features, such as the ability to list the contents of a directory right alongside its icon, support for customized background colors, and integration with Quick Look, make Desktop Groups an invaluable tool for getting a handle on your desktop clutter problem.

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