Using Virtual Desktops in Windows 11

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: Using Virtual Desktops in Windows 11. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Key Concepts

• Virtual Desktop: A separate workspace that appears as its own desktop. You can have multiple apps open on it, distinct from other desktops.
• Task View: The interface where you manage Virtual Desktops, open windows, and the timeline (if enabled).

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Accessing Task View

• Method 1 (Keyboard): Press Win + Tab.
• Method 2 (Taskbar): Click the Task View icon on your taskbar (it looks like two overlapping rectangles). If you don’t see it, right‑click the taskbar, select “Taskbar settings,” and ensure “Task view” is toggled on.

2. Creating a New Virtual Desktop

• Open Task View (Win + Tab or click the Task View icon).
• In the top‑left corner, click + New desktop.
• A new desktop will be created (labelled “Desktop 2”, “Desktop 3”, etc.).

3. Switching Between Desktops

• Open Task View and click the desktop you want to switch to.
• Keyboard shortcuts:
  • Win + Ctrl + Left Arrow – Switch to the desktop on the left.
  • Win + Ctrl + Right Arrow – Switch to the desktop on the right.

4. Moving Windows Between Desktops

• Open Task View.
• Right‑click the window you want to move, select Move to, and choose the target desktop (e.g., “Desktop 2”).
• Alternative drag method: While in Task View, drag the window thumbnail to the target desktop thumbnail at the top of the screen.
• Keyboard shortcut:
  • Open Task View (Win + Tab).
  • Select the window you want to move.
  • Press Win + Shift + Ctrl + Left Arrow or Win + Shift + Ctrl + Right Arrow to move it to the adjacent desktop.

5. Renaming a Virtual Desktop

• Open Task View.
• Hover over the desktop name (e.g., “Desktop 2”) at the top of the screen.
• Click the name, type a new descriptive name (e.g., “Work”, “Personal”, “Research”), and press Enter.

6. Closing a Virtual Desktop

• Open Task View.
• Hover over the desktop you want to close and click the X that appears on the thumbnail.
• Alternatively, while on the desktop you wish to close, press Win + Ctrl + F4.

7. Customising Virtual Desktop Settings

• Open Settings (Win + I).
• Navigate to System > Multitasking.
• Under “Virtual desktops”, you can configure:
  • When I close the last window on a desktop: Choose whether to show the desktops or the last active window.
  • Alt + Tab: Choose which windows appear – “All windows” or “Only windows on the current desktop”.

Organising Your Workflow (Example)

• Desktop 1 (Work): Email, Microsoft Teams, ERP/Ticketing system.
• Desktop 2 (Research): Web browsers, Word, OneNote.
• Desktop 3 (Communication): Slack, WhatsApp Web.

Troubleshooting

• Task View missing: Right‑click the taskbar, go to “Taskbar settings”, and toggle on “Task view”.
• Keyboard shortcuts not working: Ensure you are pressing the correct keys. Check for keyboard driver issues or refer to Keyboard or mouse not responding.
• Can’t move windows: Ensure the window is not maximised. Try the drag method from Task View instead.
• Persistent issues: Make sure Windows is up to date. See How to update Windows for guidance.

Still Having Issues?