Microsoft releases a number of different applications for Windows XP referred to as PowerToys. You can download the various add-ons from here.
One of the available downloads is the Virtual Desktop Manager. The application allows you to run up to a maximum of four desktops. Each instance of a desktop can support its own applications and wallpaper. For example, you may have an Office application running on one desktop instance and a game running on another. You can use the Windows Taskbar to quickly switch between the different desktops.
[tags]diana huggins,virtual desktop manager,powertoys,windows taskbar[/tags]