Virtual desktops: How to use multiple desktops in Windows 10
You can use this feature to organize your virtual space while working on a bunch of different things at once.
We'll show you how to use virtual desktops on Windows 10.
MicrosoftVirtual desktops are a great feature, particularly for anyone with a single-monitor setup. If you're still working from home due to the pandemic and juggling different projects on the same computer, multiple desktops can be a life-saver. [And the recent Windows 11 releaseincluded even easier ways to set up and toggle between multiple virtual desktops, among other new features like support for Android apps.] Whether you're a longtime Windows 10 user or have onlyrecently upgraded to Windows 10aftersupport for Windows 7 endedlast year, we'll walk you through using multiple virtual desktops.
The Task View pane in Windows 10 allows you to add an unlimited number of virtual desktops quickly and easily. You can manage the view of your virtual desktop, and move applications to different desktops, show windows on all desktops or close pages on a selected desktop. Here's how to do it.
How to add a desktop in Windows 10
To add a virtual desktop, open up the new Task View pane by clicking the Task View button [two overlapping rectangles] on the taskbar, or by pressing the Windows Key + Tab. In the Task View pane, click New desktop to add a virtual desktop. If you have two or more desktops already open, the "Add a desktop" button will appear as a gray tile with a plus symbol. You can also quickly add a desktop without entering the Task View pane by using the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Ctrl + D.
How to switch between desktops in Windows 10
To switch between virtual desktops, open the Task View pane and click on the desktop you want to switch to. You can also quickly switch desktops without going into the Task View pane by using the keyboard shortcuts Windows Key + Ctrl + Left Arrow and Windows Key + Ctrl + Right Arrow.
You can add an unlimited number of virtual desktops -- we stopped at 368.
How to move windows between desktops in Windows 10
To move a window from one desktop to another, you first have to open up the Task View pane and then hover over the desktop containing the window you want to move. The windows on that desktop will pop up; find the window you want to move, right-click it, and go to Move to and choose the desktop you want to move the window to. You can also drag and drop windows -- grab the window you want to move and drag it into the desired desktop.
How to close a desktop in Windows 10
To close a virtual desktop, open up the Task View pane and hover over the desktop you want to close until a small X appears in the upper right corner. Click the X to close the desktop. You can also close the desktop you're currently on without going into the Task View pane by using the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Ctrl + F4.
For more on Windows 10, check out how to get Windows Photo Viewer back in Windows 10,everything you need to know about the latest Windows 10 updateandsix simple security changes all Windows 10 users need to make. Plus, here's how you'll download Windows 11 for free, and how to tell if your computer is compatible with Windows 11.
First published on Jan. 28, 2015 at 2:05 p.m. PT.