Pulmon Freeware: Replace Desktop Icons with Metro Tiles

Yes, Pulmon is a free, open-source utility that replaces your traditional desktop icons with a full-screen, scrollable grid of large “Metro”-style tiles, similar to the Windows 8 Start Screen. You launch programs, open folders, and run commands by clicking these tiles, and you can group, resize, and customize them without touching your actual desktop shortcuts.

Formula

The calculator above estimates how many full screens of tiles you will need based on the number of tiles you have and the rows per screen you set. The formula is:

Screens needed = ceil( T / ( R × 6 ) )

Where:

• T = total number of tiles you have (input)
• R = rows per screen (input, typically 3–6)
• 6 = approximate number of tiles that fit horizontally on a 1920×1080 screen with default tile size
• ceil() = round up to the nearest whole number

The result, screens, tells you how many full-screen pages you will flip through when scrolling. The second output, tiles per full screen, is simply R × 6 and shows the capacity of one screen.

Worked Example

Using the calculator defaults: 24 tiles, 4 rows per screen.

1. Calculate tiles per screen: 4 × 6 = 24
2. Divide total tiles by tiles per screen: 24 ÷ 24 = 1
3. Round up (already whole): 1 screen

So with 24 tiles and 4 rows, you need exactly one full screen. If you had 30 tiles, you would need 30 ÷ 24 = 1.25, rounded up to 2 screens.

What Pulmon Actually Does

Pulmon is a portable application that runs from a single .exe file. When launched, it hides your normal desktop icons and replaces them with a scrollable, zoomable surface of tiles. Each tile can point to an executable, a folder, a document, a URL, or a command-line instruction. You can right-click a tile to edit its properties, change its color, resize it (small, medium, large), or assign a custom image as its background.

Unlike the Windows 8 Start Screen, Pulmon does not replace your Start menu or modify system files. It is a separate overlay that you can close with a hotkey (default is Esc), returning you to the classic desktop. It runs on Windows 7 through Windows 11, and because it is portable, you can carry it on a USB stick.

How to Install and Set Up

1. Download the latest Pulmon release from its official GitHub repository (search “Pulmon GitHub”).
2. Extract the ZIP file to any folder, e.g., C:\Tools\Pulmon.
3. Run Pulmon.exe. It will start with a default set of tiles (Calculator, Notepad, Command Prompt, etc.).
4. Right-click any tile → Edit to change the target path, label, color, or icon.
5. Right-click an empty area → Add Tile to create a new tile. Choose a name, target (e.g., “C:\Program Files\MyApp\app.exe”), and optionally an argument.
6. Use the mouse wheel or the scrollbar to move between screens. Drag tiles to rearrange them.

To make Pulmon start automatically with Windows, place a shortcut to the .exe in the Startup folder (Win+R → shell:startup).

Key Features and Limitations

• Tile types: Program, folder, file, URL, or command. For commands, you can enter arguments like “-launch” or “–fullscreen”.
• Grouping: You can create named groups (e.g., “Games”, “Work”) by adding a group tile that, when clicked, jumps to that section.
• Zoom: Ctrl+Mouse wheel zooms the tile grid, letting you see more tiles at once or enlarge them for touch screens.
• No live tiles: Unlike Windows 8, Pulmon tiles are static — they do not show real-time weather or news. They are simple launchers.
• No drag-and-drop from desktop: You cannot drag an existing desktop shortcut onto a Pulmon tile; you must manually enter the target path. This is the most common complaint.
• Single monitor only: Pulmon does not span multiple monitors; it uses the primary display.

How It Compares to Alternatives

Other free launchers that replace desktop icons include RocketDock (a macOS-style dock), ObjectDock (similar, with paid version), and Fences (paid, organizes icons into shaded areas). Pulmon is unique in that it mimics the full-screen Metro UI rather than a dock or a desktop organizer. It is also fully open-source, whereas Fences is proprietary. Compared to the built-in Windows 10/11 Start Menu’s tile section, Pulmon gives you more control over tile size, color, and grouping, and it does not require you to pin apps to Start.

Common Problems and Fixes

• Tile does not launch the program: Check the target path. If the path contains spaces, wrap it in quotes (e.g., “C:\Program Files\MyApp\app.exe”). For portable apps, use the full path to the .exe.
• Pulmon does not hide desktop icons: Go to Pulmon’s settings (right-click empty area → Settings) and enable “Hide desktop icons”. If it still fails, right-click the desktop → View → uncheck “Show desktop icons” manually.
• High CPU usage: Some users report Pulmon using 5–10% CPU when idle. This is usually due to the zoom animation. Lower the animation frame rate in Settings, or close Pulmon when not needed.
• Cannot add a tile for a UWP app: Windows Store apps (like Calculator or Photos) are not simple .exe files. You need to create a tile with the command: explorer.exe shell:AppsFolder\PackageFamilyName!AppId. Find the package family name via PowerShell (Get-AppxPackage). This is a known workaround.

Is It Safe and Worth Using?

Pulmon is open-source, so you can inspect the code for anything malicious. It does not require admin rights to run, and it does not modify the registry. However, because it is a niche project, it is not actively updated — the last release was around 2014. It still works on modern Windows, but you may encounter minor glitches on Windows 11, such as blurry text on high-DPI displays. If you want a reliable, maintained alternative, consider using the built-in Windows 10/11 Start Menu’s “tile” layout or a paid tool like Fences. Pulmon is best for users who want a lightweight, portable, and free way to get a Metro-style launcher without installing a full shell replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Pulmon work on Windows 10 and 11?

Yes, Pulmon runs on Windows 7 through 11. However, on Windows 11, you may need to run it in compatibility mode (Windows 8) if the tiles appear blank. The core functionality works, but the UI is not optimized for high-DPI screens, so text may look slightly blurry.

Can I use Pulmon to replace the Start Menu entirely?

No. Pulmon is a desktop-icon replacement, not a Start Menu replacement. It runs as a separate window that you can toggle with a hotkey. You still use the Start Menu for shutdown, settings, and other system functions.

How do I add a tile for a Steam game?

Steam games are launched via Steam’s URL protocol. Create a tile with target steam://rungameid/<appid>. You can find the appid on the game’s store page URL (e.g., for Counter-Strike 2, the URL is store.steampowered.com/app/730, so the appid is 730).

Can I change the tile background to my own image?

Yes. In the tile edit window, under “Image”, browse to a .png or .jpg file. The image will be stretched to fill the tile. For best results, use an image with the same aspect ratio as the tile (e.g., 256×256 for a large tile).

Is there a way to export/import my tile layout?

Pulmon stores its configuration in an XML file (Pulmon.xml) in the same folder as the .exe. You can copy that file to another machine to transfer your layout. There is no built-in export button, but manual copying works.

Why does Pulmon not show my desktop icons after I close it?

Pulmon hides desktop icons when it runs, but it should restore them when you exit. If they remain hidden, right-click the desktop → View → check “Show desktop icons”. If that fails, restart Explorer.exe via Task Manager.

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in t | Number of tiles | tiles | 24 | 1 | 200
in r | Rows per screen | rows | 4 | 1 | 10
out screens | Approx. screens needed | screens | ceil(t / (r * 6)) | 0
out tiles_per_screen | Tiles per full screen | tiles | r * 6 | 0