What are virtual desktops?

Virtual desktops are a powerful feature in Windows that lets you create multiple independent workspaces on a single computer. Imagine having several physical monitors, but all on one screen. Each virtual desktop can have its own set of open windows and programs, so you can organize your work better.

This feature has existed since Windows 10, but it has been refined further in Windows 11 with improved animations and extra personalization options. Virtual desktops are ideal for people who multitask a lot or who want to keep work and personal use separate on the same computer.

Why use virtual desktops?

There are many practical reasons to use virtual desktops:

Better organization

  • Keep work-related apps separate from personal apps
  • Create a separate desktop for communication (email, chat, video calls)
  • Organize different projects on different desktops

More focus

  • Fewer distractions because you only see relevant apps
  • Switch between tasks faster without minimizing windows
  • Work in a clearer way with less clutter on your screen

Practical examples

A typical layout could be:

  1. Desktop 1: Main work (documents, spreadsheets, professional tools)
  2. Desktop 2: Communication (email, Teams, Slack)
  3. Desktop 3: Research (browser with research tabs)
  4. Desktop 4: Personal (social media, music, relaxation)

Creating a new virtual desktop

There are several ways to create a new virtual desktop:

Method 1: Through Task view

  1. Click the Task view icon in the taskbar (two overlapping rectangles)
  2. Click New desktop or the plus sign at the top right
  3. Your new desktop is available right away

Method 2: With a keyboard shortcut

The fastest method is the keyboard shortcut:

  • Windows key + Ctrl + D: Instantly creates a new desktop and switches to it

Method 3: Touchpad gestures

On laptops with a precision touchpad:

  • Swipe up with four fingers to open Task view
  • Then click New desktop

Switching between virtual desktops

Once you have multiple desktops, you will want to switch quickly:

Keyboard shortcuts

  • Windows + Ctrl + Left/Right arrow: Switches to the next or previous desktop
  • Windows + Tab: Opens Task view, where you see all your desktops

Through Task view

  1. Click the Task view icon in the taskbar
  2. Click the desktop you want to go to

Touchpad gestures

  • Swipe left/right with four fingers: Switches directly between desktops

Moving windows between desktops

You can easily move windows from one desktop to another:

Through Task view

  1. Open Task view (Windows + Tab or click the icon)
  2. You see thumbnails of all open windows
  3. Drag a window to another desktop at the top of the screen
  4. Or right-click a window and choose 'Move to' > [desktop name]

Showing a window on all desktops

You may want to see some apps on all desktops, such as a music player or calculator:

  1. Open Task view
  2. Right-click the window you want
  3. Choose 'Show this window on all desktops' or 'Show windows from this app on all desktops'

Personalizing virtual desktops

Windows 11 offers extra personalization options for your virtual desktops:

Renaming desktops

  1. Open Task view
  2. Right-click a desktop
  3. Choose 'Rename'
  4. Type a descriptive name such as 'Work', 'Communication' or 'Relaxation'

Backgrounds per desktop

In Windows 11 you can set a different background for each virtual desktop:

  1. Open Task view
  2. Right-click the desktop you want to customize
  3. Choose 'Choose background'
  4. Select an image from your collection or from the Windows backgrounds

This helps you recognize at a glance which desktop you are on and makes switching more intuitive.

Removing and arranging desktops

Managing your virtual desktops is easy:

Removing a desktop

  1. Open Task view
  2. Hover your mouse over the desktop you want to remove
  3. Click the X that appears
  4. All windows on that desktop are automatically moved to the next desktop

Reordering desktops

You can change the order of your desktops:

  1. Open Task view
  2. Drag a desktop to the position you want in the row

Advanced tips and tricks

Get more out of virtual desktops with these tips:

Working efficiently

  • Limit the number: More than four or five desktops often gets confusing
  • Consistent layout: Always keep the same apps on the same desktop
  • Combine with Snap Layouts: Use Snap Layouts within each desktop for extra organization

Adjusting settings

Go to Settings > System > Multitasking for extra options:

  • Taskbar behavior: Choose whether the taskbar shows all windows or only those on the current desktop
  • Alt+Tab behavior: Decide whether Alt+Tab shows windows from all desktops or only the current one

Virtual desktops are kept

Good news: your virtual desktops are kept when you restart your computer. The names, backgrounds and order are remembered. Only the open windows need to be reopened after a restart.

Conclusion

Virtual desktops are an excellent way to get more out of your Windows computer without extra hardware. By dividing your work smartly across multiple desktops, you work in a more organized, focused and efficient way. Start with two or three desktops and discover how this feature can improve your everyday computer use. With the right shortcuts and a consistent layout, switching between tasks becomes second nature.

Frequently asked questions

How many virtual desktops can I create in Windows?

There is no fixed maximum, but in practice Windows supports dozens of virtual desktops. For the best experience, it is recommended to use no more than four to five desktops to keep things manageable.

Are my virtual desktops kept after shutting down?

Yes, the virtual desktops themselves, including their names and backgrounds, are kept after you restart your computer. However, the open programs and windows are closed and you need to open them again.

What is the shortcut to switch between desktops?

Use Windows + Ctrl + Left or Right arrow to switch to the previous or next desktop. Windows + Tab opens Task view, where you can see all your desktops and pick one directly.

Can I see the same app on multiple desktops?

Yes, open Task view, right-click the window and choose 'Show this window on all desktops'. You can also choose to show all windows of a particular app on all desktops.

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