Learn how to add and use multiple virtual desktops on your Windows PC to open apps in different spaces and stay organized.
I don’t use more than one physical monitor and prefer not to have several apps or windows on the same screen, as that creates clutter. So, one of the first things I do when I set up a new MacBook or Mac desktop is add four or five virtual desktop spaces. This lets me keep apps in separate places and easily switch between them with a swipe on the trackpad.
Similarly, if you have a Windows desktop or laptop, Microsoft has a built-in feature that allows you to create multiple virtual desktops and manage your open apps more effectively. Just make sure your computer is running Windows 10 or Windows 11. We’re using the latest version of Windows 11 for the steps and screenshots.
Create new virtual desktops
1) Press the Windows ⊞ + Tab keys together to open Task View or click the Task View button in the Taskbar. On some PC notebooks, you can also swipe up with three fingers on the trackpad.
2) Click the plus button under the New desktop option to add a new virtual desktop.
3) Now, click “Desktop 2” to go to it.
You can repeat this process to add multiple desktops. There is essentially no limit to how many virtual desktops you can create on your Windows PC.
If you don’t see the Task View button, go to your computer Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and turn on the switch for Task view.
See and switch to another desktop
You can see all your virtual desktops and switch to another using the Task View icon in the Taskbar, pressing the Windows + Tab keyboard shortcut, or swiping up with three fingers.
Additionally, just like macOS, you can swipe left and right with four fingers on your Windows laptop trackpad to switch between your virtual desktops. We will talk more about gestures later.
Open apps on virtual desktop
Simply access the desired virtual desktop like Desktop 1, Desktop 2, Desktop 3, and so forth, and open apps there like you normally do.
Move apps from one virtual desktop to another
Follow these steps to move apps between virtual desktops on Windows PC.
1) Click the Task View button or press the Windows + Tab keys to see all open apps of that virtual desktop.
2) Drag the app from the top and drop it over another desktop.
3) Alternatively, you can right-click on the open app window and choose Move To, followed by selecting an existing desktop or creating a new space.
I have configured Hot Corners on my Mac and assigned the top right corner to trigger Mission Control. So, I just move the pointer to the corner and then drag the window to another desktop space. I would have loved the same setup on my Windows PC, but it doesn’t have the Hot Corners features. So, I use the steps outlined above.
Set different wallpaper for virtual desktops
Head to the desired virtual desktop, right-click anywhere and choose Personalize. Now, click Background and set a different image.
You can also go to task view and right-click over the desktop thumbnail, followed by Choose background.
Alternatively, you can right-click on a picture in File Explorer to set it as the background.
Repeat the above methods for other virtual spaces to customize them with different desktop backgrounds.
Fix the lag when switching between virtual desktops
Unlike on a Mac, you might notice a lag or delay when swiping horizontally with four fingers on the trackpad to switch between virtual desktops on your Windows computer. This issue has persisted for a while, and Microsoft hasn’t resolved it with a software update. Until they do, you can address it by trying the following:
- Resize the wallpaper in the exact dimensions as your computer’s display resolution. You can see the resolution in Windows Settings > System > Display. Most laptops have a 1920 by 1080 resolution.
- Set the same resized photo as the background for all your virtual desktops.
This certainly hamstrings the customization, but it will solve the annoying lag when you switch between your virtual desktops using multi-finger trackpad gestures.
Rename your virtual desktops
Perhaps you open work apps on one desktop and games on another. Or you always keep a specific app, like Chrome, on a particular desktop and want to assign a name for better organization.
If you don’t like the default names (i.e., Desktop 1, Desktop 2, Desktop 3, and so forth), you can personalize them with custom names. Simply go to task view and double-click the existing name or right-click on a virtual desktop thumbnail and select Rename. Now, give it the desired name and hit the enter key.
Rearrange the placement of your virtual desktops
Like on a Mac, you can move your created desktop spaces left or right to change their order.
Press the Windows key + Tab key to get to task view. Now, right-click over a desktop thumbnail and choose Move left or Move right. You can also press Alt + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow keys to change the order.
Configure trackpad settings for switching between desktops
You can decide how to switch between your virtual desktops by heading to Windows Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. From here, set three or four-finger gestures to Switch desktops.
Since I also use a MacBook and Apple’s Magic Trackpad with my Mac mini, I have set my Windows PC to switch desktops with a four-finger swipe instead of three. This keeps it consistent across both operating systems.
Delete a virtual desktop
If you no longer need a desktop space, click the Task View button or press the Windows + Tab keys, then take the mouse or trackpad pointer over the desktop you want to delete and hit the X button. You can also right-click over the desktop thumbnail and choose Close.
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