LiteStep

Here's something you might be interested in exploring. It replaces Explorer as the Windows shell and gives you a very linux-like feel to the desktop, including multiple virtual desktops. I read stuff about it for an hour or two looking for "Oh my god, I installed this and it thoroughly trashed my system!" messages and found none. Having done my due diligence 8-) I installed it this morning and it's working like a champ.