Shuffling through multiple apps for different projects has always made it hard for me to concentrate. This is even worse when working with a single monitor—so much time wasted on juggling and resizing Windows. Then I found this built-in Windows feature and everything changed.

Windows Virtual Desktop Changed How I Work

Before I discovered Windows Virtual Desktop, I struggled with a cluttered screen and wasted time searching for the right window. It was uncomfortable having to keep holding Alt + Tab and squinting at my screen throughout the day to juggle a dozen windows.

Though I had already heard about Windows Virtual Desktop when it first came out on Windows 10, I never tried it until I switched to Windows 11 and took the time to learn about its features.

Fast-forward to today, and Virtual Desktops has become one of my favorite time-saving Windows features. With this feature, I’m able to create dedicated workspaces for different tasks or interests, such as writing and research, education, programming, and entertainment.

Related

6 Windows 11 Features That Made Me Ditch My Mac

Windows makes working faster and easier.

This simple separation lets me concentrate on one task at a time. When I switch to my writing desktop, I only see the apps, tools, and folders that relate to my current tasks. This not only enhances my focus but also helps me cycle through a much smaller set of apps for every workspace.

And with Windows 11 now able to assign different background for each desktop, I can assign a calming image for my writing space and a bright one for my research desktop. I no longer need to minimize or close programs to see what I am working on, and everything remains neatly grouped.

How You Can Use Virtual Desktop Effectively

Windows Virtual Desktop is a straightforward management tool that doesn’t take much time to learn. Here’s how you can use Virtual Desktops effectively:

Create and Switch Through Virtual Desktops

To start using Windows Virtual Desktop, you’ll first need to know the basics. Here’s how you can create desktops and switch through them:

1. Press Windows + Tab keys on your keyboard. This will open Task View and show you all your virtual desktops and windows.
2. To create a virtual desktop, click on New desktop at the bottom section of Task View.
3. To switch between virtual desktops, press Ctrl + Windows Key + Left/Right Arrow key to shuffle left or right.

Simple! Now you know the basics of virtual desktop, but there are a couple of things you can do to make it better.

Understanding the More Advanced Controls

Beyond the basic functionalities, Windows Virtual Desktops offers a few more controls that can significantly improve your multitasking capabilities. Here are a few of them:

• Pinning Applications Across Desktops: If you require certain applications to be accessible on all virtual desktops, you can pin them universally. To do this, open Task View (Windows Key + Tab), right-click on the desired application window, and select Show this window on all desktops. This ensures that essential tools remain readily available, regardless of the desktop you’re working on.
• Move Windows Between Virtual Desktops: To transfer an open window to a different virtual desktop, open Task View, then drag the desired window to your chosen desktop. Alternatively, right-click the window, select Move to, and pick the target desktop.
• Task View Customization: You can personalize the Task View interface to better suit your preferences. For instance, you can choose to display windows from all desktops in the Taskbar or limit them to the current desktop. Navigate to Settings > System > Multitasking to adjust these options under the Desktops section.

Though minor, taking the time to learn about these controls will help you better control virtual desktops in the long run.

Customize Virtual Desktop

As mentioned earlier, I use different workspaces for different tasks and interests. To make it easier for me to identify each of them, I need to customize each one to look different. Here’s how:

1. Rename a desktop by opening Task View (Alt + Tab).
2. Right-click on the desktop and select Rename. Give it an appropriate name.

If you’re on Windows 11, you can also change the background image of each virtual desktop.

1. Open Task View
2. Right-Click on your desired desktop and select Choose background to change the image.

Try to use images that closely relate to the tasks assigned to each virtual desktop. You can also choose images that evoke a specific emotion to help you get into the right mindset for the task at hand.

For example, use a serene image for your writing space, a dramatic background for watching shows and movies, and a regular Windows background for personal or everyday tasks.

Utilize Snap Layouts and Snap Groups

Snap Layouts is one of the features where Windows excels. It’s also a feature that pairs very well with Virtual Desktops as it allows you to organize your windows within a desktop more efficiently.

• Snap Layouts: Hover over the maximize button of an active window or press Windows Key + Z to view available layouts. Select a configuration to arrange multiple windows neatly on your screen.
• Snap Groups: After arranging windows using Snap Layouts, Windows remembers these combinations as Snap Groups. You can switch between different groups seamlessly, enhancing multitasking across virtual desktops.

By creating separate desktops for different projects, I now work faster and with less stress. If you have the same problems I had, now is the time to actually give Windows Virtual Desktop a try.