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Get Started with Zones

Zones organizes your Windows Desktop into clear containers — zones — where you group files, shortcuts, and apps by theme. Each zone reflects a real folder on your disk: nothing is hidden, nothing is duplicated.

System Requirements

  • Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
  • About 3 MB of disk space
  • No admin rights required: installs per user account

Install Zones

  1. Download the installer from the official website.
  2. Run it and follow the assistant. Installation is local (per user).
  3. On the first launch, Windows may show a SmartScreen "unknown publisher" warning. This is normal for a recent indie studio: click More info, then Run anyway (see Troubleshooting).

The first launch & built-in guide

On the very first start, a welcome bubble appears and introduces the essential gestures. Two buttons: Start (close and begin) and Open the full guide.

Zones also sets up a starter pack: a few sample zones placed on your Desktop. You can keep them, rename them, empty them, or delete them.

You can reopen the guide at any time: Settings → Guide, then Review the startup guide.

Activate your license (or trial)

Zones can be used 14 days for free, with all features and no credit card required.

  • During the trial, everything is unlocked.
  • To continue, open Settings → License and enter your license key. Activation is done online once, then Zones works offline.
  • Plans and seat limits are detailed in License & purchases.

Finding your way around

  • The Desktop: your zones sit there like lightweight, translucent windows.
  • A zone: a title bar (the name) and, underneath, the content of a real folder, possibly in tabs. The zone footer indicates the number of items.
  • The notification icon (near the clock): right-click to Show / Hide zones, create a zone, undo/redo, or Quit.
  • The dock (optional, Beta): macOS-style launch bar. See The dock.
  • Right-clicking on a zone or the Desktop opens the action menu.

What's next?