Virtual desktops in Windows 11 let you create multiple separate workspaces on one screen. You can keep your work apps on one desktop and personal apps on another, or separate different projects so your screen stays uncluttered. Each virtual desktop has its own set of open windows — switching between them is instant, and nothing from one desktop bleeds into another.
How to Create a Virtual Desktop
Hover over the Task View button on the taskbar — it looks like two overlapping rectangles and sits next to the Start button. Click it (or press Win + Tab) to open Task View.
At the top, you will see your current desktops listed. Click New desktop (the + button) to add one. You can create as many as you need — there is no practical limit.
Keyboard shortcut: Win + Ctrl + D creates a new virtual desktop immediately without opening Task View.
How to Switch Between Virtual Desktops
- Win + Ctrl + Right arrow — move to the next desktop
- Win + Ctrl + Left arrow — move to the previous desktop
- Win + Tab — open Task View to see all desktops and click the one you want
- Or hover over the Task View button in the taskbar — thumbnails of all desktops appear. Click to switch.
How to Move a Window to a Different Desktop
- Open Task View (Win + Tab)
- In the current desktop’s window list, right-click the window you want to move
- Click Move to → Desktop [number]
Or drag the window thumbnail from one desktop to another in the Task View panel.
To show a specific window on all desktops: right-click it in Task View → Show this window on all desktops. This is useful for a clock, calculator, or music player you want accessible everywhere.
How to Rename a Virtual Desktop
- Open Task View (Win + Tab)
- Click on the name of a desktop at the top (e.g. “Desktop 1”)
- Type a new name and press Enter
Naming your desktops makes them easier to manage — for example, “Work”, “Personal”, “Project A”.
How to Change the Wallpaper Per Desktop
Each virtual desktop can have its own wallpaper, making it visually obvious which workspace you are in:
- Open Task View (Win + Tab)
- Right-click a desktop thumbnail
- Click Choose background
- Select a different image for that desktop
How to Close a Virtual Desktop
- Open Task View and click the X on the desktop thumbnail
- Or press Win + Ctrl + F4 to close the current desktop
Closing a desktop does not close its windows — they move to the adjacent desktop automatically.
Practical Ways to Use Virtual Desktops
Virtual desktops are most useful when you need to context-switch between different types of work without a second monitor:
- Work vs personal: Keep Teams, Outlook, and work files on Desktop 1. Keep personal browser tabs, music, and messaging on Desktop 2.
- Project separation: One desktop per active project — each has its own relevant apps and documents open.
- Presentation mode: Before presenting, create a clean desktop with only the presentation open. Switch back to your normal desktop when done.
- Reference documents: Keep a documentation browser tab or PDF open on a second desktop for easy reference while working on the first.
Virtual Desktops vs Multiple Monitors
Virtual desktops are not a replacement for a second monitor — you can only see one desktop at a time. They are better suited to keeping workspaces organised and reducing visual clutter. If you regularly need to see two things simultaneously, a second monitor is the better solution. If you switch between contexts and do not need to view both at once, virtual desktops are a clean way to keep them separate without a hardware investment.
If you do have multiple monitors, virtual desktops span all monitors — switching desktops changes the content on all screens at once.
App Pinning Across Desktops
By default, the taskbar shows only the windows open on the current desktop. To change this and show all open windows across all desktops in the taskbar:
- Go to Settings → System → Multitasking
- Under Desktops, change On the taskbar, show all the open windows to On all desktops
You can also control whether pressing Alt + Tab shows windows from all desktops or only the current one from the same Multitasking settings page.
