Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s what our users ask most often.

What is TidyPanel?

TidyPanel is a lightweight desktop organizer for Windows that helps you manage widgets and shortcut panels without replacing or taking control of your desktop.
It works alongside Windows and keeps everything under your control.

How does TidyPanel work with the Windows desktop?

TidyPanel stays on the desktop layer and blends naturally into your workspace.
It does not replace the Windows desktop, does not lock it, and does not modify File Explorer or system behavior.

You can freely move, show, hide, or group panels without affecting your existing desktop icons.

Does TidyPanel hook into Windows File Explorer?

No.
TidyPanel does not attach to or modify Windows File Explorer.

Shortcut boxes can browse folders like a mini file explorer, but this is done independently and safely without changing Explorer behavior.

What are widgets in TidyPanel?

Widgets in TidyPanel are lightweight desktop elements that display useful everyday information while staying clean and unobtrusive.

They are designed to stay visible on your desktop without interrupting your work.

Available widgets include:

Clock and date widgets with digital and analog display options

Calendar widget with reminder support

Weather widget with clear and readable information

System monitoring widgets for CPU • RAM • and network usage

System tools widgets such as battery status and volume control

Widgets are completely optional and can be shown, hidden, moved, or customized at any time based on your preference.

What are shortcut boxes?

Shortcut boxes are clean and flexible panels that help you organize frequently used items without cluttering your desktop.

They allow you to group and access items quickly while keeping your desktop clean.

Shortcut boxes can contain:

Applications

Files

Folders

Custom shortcuts

Shortcut boxes can be collapsed into a bar or an icon and can also browse folders directly, functioning like a mini file explorer inside the panel.

What are group boxes?

Group boxes allow you to combine multiple shortcut panels into a single organized container.

They are especially useful when you have many shortcuts and want to keep everything structured and easy to access.

Group boxes are ideal for:

Work-related setups

Media collections

Project-based workflows

Group boxes support both tabs mode and icons mode, helping you manage large collections while reducing desktop clutter.

How do I change settings for widgets and shortcut boxes?

TidyPanel makes customization easy using simple right-click menus.

Widgets

To change widget settings:

Right-click directly on the widget

Use the options menu to adjust appearance, behavior, and visibility

Each widget has its own settings, allowing fine control without affecting others.

Shortcut Boxes

Shortcut box settings can be accessed in two ways:

Right-click on the shortcut box title

Click the hamburger menu on the shortcut box

From there, you can change layout options, behavior, appearance, and other panel-specific settings.

Group Boxes

Group box settings can also be accessed easily:

Right-click on the group box title

Or click the hamburger menu on the group box

This allows you to manage grouping behavior, layout modes, and other group-specific options.

Special note for Tabs Mode

When using tabs mode, you will see two hamburger menus:

One for group box options

One for individual shortcut box options

This separation gives you precise control over both the group container and the panels inside it.

What options are available in the TidyPanel system tray?

TidyPanel runs quietly in the system tray and provides quick access to common actions.

From the tray menu, you can:

1. Create a new shortcut box

2. Create a new group box

3. Show or hide shortcut boxes and widgets

4. Access settings and options

5. Open the About TidyPanel window

6. Enable or disable start with Windows

The tray menu is designed to give you full control without cluttering your desktop.

How do I enter or activate my license key?

License activation is done directly from the system tray.

Steps to activate:

1. Click the TidyPanel tray icon

2. Select About TidyPanel

3. Enter your license key in the provided field

4. Click Activate

Once activated, your license is verified and permanently applied to that system.

What is “Add Show Desktop Shortcut” and how do I use it?

The Add Show Desktop Shortcut option creates a special desktop shortcut that instantly shows your desktop when clicked.

How it works:

1. The shortcut is added to your desktop

2. You can drag this shortcut to the Windows taskbar

3. Clicking it instantly shows the desktop

This is useful when you want quick access to your desktop without minimizing apps manually.
It works especially well alongside TidyPanel widgets and shortcut boxes.

Is TidyPanel compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Yes.
TidyPanel works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

For best results, keep your system updated.

Can I use TidyPanel alongside other desktop organizers?

We strongly recommend not running multiple desktop organizers at the same time.

If software like Fences or Easy Desktop is active, they may:

Intercept desktop interactions

Control desktop layering

Override visibility behavior

This can lead to unexpected behavior such as panels not appearing or not responding.

For the best experience, close or disable other desktop organizers before using TidyPanel.

Do I need to enable “Show desktop icons” for TidyPanel to work?

Yes.
For widgets and shortcut boxes to appear correctly, “Show desktop icons” must be enabled.

You can enable it by:

Right-clicking on the desktop

Selecting View

Making sure Show desktop icons is checked

If desktop icons are hidden, Windows does not display desktop-layer elements correctly, which can cause widgets or panels to not appear.

Is TidyPanel lightweight?

Yes.
TidyPanel is designed to be fast and resource-efficient.

Very low CPU usage

Minimal memory usage

No unnecessary background services

It stays responsive without slowing down your system.

Does TidyPanel always stay on the desktop?

Yes.
TidyPanel stays on the desktop layer so it remains accessible even when switching apps.

At the same time, it is designed to be unobtrusive and not interfere with your workflow.

Can I run TidyPanel in administrator mode?

Yes, TidyPanel can be run in administrator mode, but it is not required for normal usage.

We recommend to use TidyPanel in normal mode.

Benefits of running in administrator mode

Running TidyPanel as administrator allows it to perform actions that require elevated permissions, such as:
1. Cut, paste, and delete operations in protected system locations
2. Managing files or folders that require administrative access

When TidyPanel is not running in administrator mode and an elevated action is required, it will safely hand over the operation to Windows File Explorer, which then prompts for permission if needed.

This ensures security while keeping behavior predictable.

Drawbacks of running in administrator mode

Running in administrator mode comes with some Windows-level limitations:
1. Windows may show a permission prompt when TidyPanel starts
2. Drag and drop from non-admin apps such as the desktop or File Explorer may not work due to Windows security restrictions
This is normal Windows behavior and not a limitation specific to TidyPanel.

Recommended usage
For most users, normal mode is recommended for the smoothest experience.
Administrator mode should only be used if you frequently work with protected system locations that require elevated permissions.

Will antivirus or firewall software block TidyPanel?

No.
TidyPanel is safe and does not access sensitive system areas.

If you enable CPU temperature monitoring, Windows may request administrative permission for the monitoring component. This is expected behavior.

No personal data is collected

No tracking or analytics

Only connects to our server for license validation

If your antivirus shows a warning, it is usually because the software is new. You can safely allow it.

Does TidyPanel collect any personal data?

No.
TidyPanel respects your privacy.

No personal data is collected

All settings are stored locally on your system

No usage tracking or analytics

Is there a free trial?

Yes.
TidyPanel includes a 15 days free trial with full features, so you can explore all features before purchasing.

What happens after the trial ends?

After the trial period ends, you will need to purchase a license to continue using TidyPanel.

The license is a one-time payment with lifetime access.

How do I purchase a license?

Click the Buy Now button on our website and complete the payment process.
Your license key will be sent to your email after purchase.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept:

Credit and debit cards via PayPal

Major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT

More payment options may be added in the future.

Kindly contact us to know more about payment options.

Can I use one license on multiple computers?

No.
Each license key is valid for one computer only.

If you want to use TidyPanel on multiple PCs, you will need a separate license for each system.

I lost my license key. What should I do?

No worries.
Contact our support team with your purchase details and we will resend your license key.

What happens if my hardware changes or I buy a new computer?

If your computer is damaged, replaced, or you move to new hardware, you don’t lose your license.

TidyPanel licenses are tied to one computer to prevent abuse, but we fully understand real-life situations.

What to do:

Contact our support team with your purchase details

Tell us about the hardware change or new system

We will:

Deactivate the license on the old machine

Activate your license on the new machine

There is no extra charge for genuine hardware changes.

We want the license system to be fair and user-friendly — not restrictive.

Do you store my payment information?

No.
All payments are processed securely by third-party payment providers.
We never see or store your card or payment information.

Still have a question? Ask your question here

Users Trust TidyPanel

TidyPanel is designed with simplicity, performance, and user control in mind. We focus on building a reliable desktop organizer that users can trust for daily use.