How To Set Up Virtual Desktops In Windows 10

Be more productive with just one screen

Windows 10 has a built-in feature enabling users to not only connect two or more computers to one monitor but to also create multiple virtual desktops. Each one will display different applications, programs and windows enabling plenty of multi-tasking.

It’s great for people who want to keep their personal and business apps and data separate, for dedicating space to specific tasks and in organizing groups of related jobs.

This article will explain how to:

Create a New Virtual Desktop in Windows 10

You can create as many virtual desktops in Windows 10 as you want. However, don’t create too many or you may lose control and be unable to keep your activities organized.

Switch Between Desktops

After adding additional desktops, the Task View will show them all at the top of your screen.

Below are several ways to switch from one desktop to another:

Work With Apps & Windows On Virtual Desktops

If you have created a new virtual desktop that you don’t want to use, click on the X at the top of the virtual desktop to delete it.

Now that you have created new desktops, how do you populate them with the applications and programs you need?

You can open different programs on every virtual desktop you create in Windows 10. If you open an app or window in one desktop, it will stay open and remain on that desktop. Some apps, such as Microsoft Word or Chrome, will let you open different windows on different desktops.

However, other apps (such as the Windows Store app) will only allow you to use them on one window at a time. For those apps, if you have it running on Desktop 1 and try to open it in Desktop 2, you will be jumped back to Desktop 1 where the app is running.

This can be inconvenient. Your only option is to look at your Task View to find where the app was installed.

You can move an open window from one desktop to another by following the steps below:

Close Virtual Desktop Windows

Having several virtual desktops on your Windows 10 computer is very helpful. However, depending upon your hardware and how many you have open at once, your system’s performance could be negatively affected.

Use the shortcutWindowskey +Ctrl +F4to close a virtual desktop. Repeat the shortcut to close more or all of the remaining desktops.

Customize Multiple Desktops

To manage the view of a virtual desktop, right-click on any open window.

If you want to affix a desktop to the left or right-hand side of your screen, you can use snap options from Snap Assist to organize your screens with two windows side-by-side.

Use multiple virtual desktops as temporary workspaces in Windows 10 to stay productive and organized. For example, rather than switching between PowerPoint, a browser, and a music app, putting them on different desktops makes it easier to move between them. You also don’t have to minimize and maximize each program while you use another.

David has a background in small business and lives in Australia. He is a WordPress and Ubuntu Developer who enjoys design, CSS and tech tool integration.Read David’s Full Bio

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How To Set Up Virtual Desktops In Windows 10#

Create a New Virtual Desktop in Windows 10#

Switch Between Desktops#

Work With Apps & Windows On Virtual Desktops#

Close Virtual Desktop Windows#

Customize Multiple Desktops#