What Are Multiple Desktops in Windows?
Multiple desktops in Windows let you create separate virtual workspaces, each with its own set of open windows. You can run a full-screen game on one desktop while keeping chat apps and browser tabs open on another, without ever minimizing anything. Windows calls this feature Task View, and it has been built into the operating system since Windows 10.
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The idea is simple: instead of fighting with a cluttered taskbar or a tiny Alt-Tab switcher, you spread your work across clean, independent surfaces. Each desktop behaves like its own monitor, but they all share the same physical screen and the same underlying system resources.
How to Create a New Desktop
Opening a second desktop takes just a few clicks or a single keyboard shortcut:
- Taskbar button: Click the Task View icon on the taskbar (it looks like two overlapping rectangles) and then click New desktop.
- Keyboard shortcut: Press Win + Ctrl + D to instantly create and switch to a fresh desktop.
- Touchpad gesture: On supported laptops, swipe up with four fingers to open Task View, then tap New desktop.
There is no hard limit on how many virtual desktops you can create, but performance can degrade if you push the system too far with heavy apps on every workspace.
Switching Between Desktops
Once you have more than one desktop, you need a reliable way to move between them.
- Task View: Click the Task View button or press Win + Tab to see all desktops as a row at the top of the screen. Click the one you want.
- Keyboard shortcuts: Press Win + Ctrl + Left Arrow or Win + Ctrl + Right Arrow to move to the previous or next desktop.
- Timeline: In Windows 10, the Task View pane also shows your recent activities, making it easy to jump back to a specific desktop state.
Moving Windows Between Desktops
You are not locked into the apps you open on a given desktop. To move a window:
- Open Task View, hover over the desktop where the window currently lives, right-click the window, and choose Move to followed by the destination desktop.
- Alternatively, drag the window from the Task View thumbnail strip onto the desktop you want.
- You can also right-click a window on the taskbar and use the Move to menu if Task View is already open.
If you want an app to appear on every desktop automatically, right-click its Task View thumbnail and select Show this window on all desktops. This is handy for music players, communication apps, or always-visible monitors.
Closing a Desktop
Closing a virtual desktop does not close the apps running on it. Windows automatically moves any open windows to the previous desktop. To remove a desktop:
- Open Task View, click the X on the desktop thumbnail you want to close, or
- Use the shortcut Win + Ctrl + F4 to close the current desktop.
The desktop you are currently on cannot be closed; Windows will keep at least one desktop active.
Tips for an Effective Workflow
Using multiple desktops works best when you give each one a clear purpose. A common setup is to dedicate one desktop to communication and email, another to deep-focus work like writing or coding, and a third to media or personal browsing. You can also use desktops to separate work and personal activities on the same machine.
Because virtual desktops share system memory and CPU, running too many resource-heavy applications across many workspaces can slow things down. Keep heavy tasks on a single desktop when possible, and close apps you are not actively using.
Multiple Desktops in Windows 11
Windows 11 refines the experience with a cleaner Task View interface, support for desktop-specific wallpapers, and improved snap layouts. The core shortcuts and behaviors remain the same, so any workflow you build on Windows 10 transfers directly to Windows 11.