GhostDesktop

v0.9 - Windows Utility

Now You See It,
Now You Don't.

GhostDesktop is a lightweight AutoHotkey utility for Windows that dynamically fades desktop icons based on focus or hover, including complete icon disappearance. Keep your desktop clean, minimal, and instantly accessible when needed.

Download EXE View Source

Windows 10+ · AutoHotkey v2 · MIT License

Everything you need,
right on your desktop.

Built to disappear when you do not need it, then return instantly when you do.

Smooth Fade Engine

Desktop icons transition in and out with tunable speed and delay values for a polished, subtle effect.

Focus or Hover Trigger

Choose click/focus-based behavior or hover-trigger mode from Settings to match how you use your desktop.

Persistent Settings

Your preferences are stored in `%APPDATA%\\ghostdesktop\\ghostdesktop.ini` and load automatically on startup.

Tray Menu Control

Quick access to Settings and About from the tray menu keeps configuration one click away.

Performance Tunable

Use high-speed, low-delay profiles for snappy transitions or slower curves for ultra-smooth visual fading.

Minimal Desktop Mode

Keep wallpaper and workspace in focus while icons gracefully vanish until you need to interact with them.

See the fade behavior.

A visual preview of GhostDesktop's disappearing icon flow.

GhostDesktop icon appears on hover
Hover anywhere in this window to fade the icon in. Move the cursor off the window to fade it out completely.

Up and running in seconds.

No installer required. Download, launch, and tune the fade settings.

1

Download

Get the standalone executable from GitHub and keep it anywhere you want.

2

Run

Start GhostDesktop and let it sit in the system tray for always-on access.

3

Adjust

Open Settings to set trigger mode, fade speed, and delay values to your preference.

Ready to fade the clutter?

Free, open-source, and built for Windows desktops.

Download GhostDesktop