Virtual desktops can help you organize your work if you give them a chance
If you’re working on multiple projects you don’t want to miss on multiple desktops, a great option to organize your work in Windows. Or just separate work from your personal stuff.
I remember the first time I saw someone swiping between virtual desktops on a Mac (they’re called Spaces). I was literally in awe.
That was a long time ago and since then Windows added multiple desktops. This is the official designation for this feature.
What are virtual desktops exactly and why they’re useful
I still call them virtual desktops because that is what they are: virtual monitors where you can move your app windows to get out of the way when you’re not using them. Unlike physical monitors, these are virtual, so you can only see one at a time.
Each virtual desktop comes with its own opened app windows, its own taskbar where you see what apps are open on that particular desktop. When you use Alt + Tab to switch between apps you will only see the list of apps running in the currently selected virtual space.
In a nutshell virtual desktops will let you organize applications in separate spaces. You can have all the apps you use for your personal enjoyment on one desktop, all the work stuff on a second desktop, and you may have one more space for your hobbies.
Multiple desktops are just another method I use to stay focused together with disabling notifications, which I talked about already.
The best part? Using virtual spaces doesn’t require more computing resources. There’s really no reason not to use them.
A quick guide to using multiple desktops in Windows
The focus of the virtual desktop environment is the Task View. It’s a button on your taskbar, close the Start button.
If you hover your mouse cursor over this icon you get an overlay with a list of all your current desktops, a small representation of the app windows already open in each desktop and a button to create a new desktop.
If you click on a desktop icon from this list your desktop will switch automatically to that space.
This is the short version. If you instead click on the Task View button, you will enter the Task View mode.
This comprises of two parts: the list of all desktops, and a button to create a new one. This list is shown at the bottom.
At the center you will see thumbnails of all the apps running in the current virtual space. If you hover over another desktop for a few moments, you will see a list of the apps for that particular space.
When you hover the mouse over thumbnails of apps or virtual desktops you will see a small X button that will let you close the current element.
Closing a virtual space will not close the associated apps. These windows will be moved to another adjacent desktop.
If you right-click on any of the app thumbnails you will see a contextual menu. You can use this menu to move apps to another virtual space and even set the window to show up on all spaces, thus defying the purpose of having multiple desktops.
Personally, I found it easier to move apps over to another desktop by dragging and dropping the window thumbnail to the desired space.
Virtual desktops can be renamed, can me repositioned, and can even show a different wallpaper background. These options are available by right-clicking on each virtual desktop thumbnail.
Useful keyboard shortcuts for virtual desktops
If you play around with virtual spaces and learn how they work, you may want to do things a little bit faster. Keyboard shortcuts are of course available, so find below the list of the most important ones.
Win + Ctrl + D: create a new desktop
Win + Ctrl + F4: close the current desktop
Win + Ctrl + Left / Right arrow: move between virtual desktops
Win + Tab: open the Task View mode
Esc or Win key: exit Task View
There’s really only one important omission, the shortcut to move an app to another desktop. Maybe in Windows 12.
I have a complete guide on using virtual desktops in Windows posted on BinaryFork, if you want to do more advanced stuff, but I think this article covers the basics pretty well.
Previous tips you may have missed
Turning off Windows notifications is a great productivity hack and will help you work without frustrating interruptions that pull you out of your focus zone. Give this a try and see if it works for you. I know it helped me a great deal.