What is the point of virtual desktops Windows 10?

How to Use Virtual Desktops in Windows 10

• Walter Glenn

  @wjglenn

Windows 10 finally added virtual desktops as a built-in feature. If you keep a lot of apps open at once—or use your PC for very different types of tasks—virtual desktops offer a convenient way to stay organized.

With virtual desktops, Windows 10 lets you create multiple, separate desktops that each can display different open windows and apps. A simple use for this might be keeping work separate from personal stuff. You could also put all the items that relate to a specific task on one desktop, so that you can better focus on that task. While macOS and Linux have featured virtual desktops for a while—and there have been third-party apps that provided them for Windows—virtual desktops are now built into Windows 10.

RELATED: How to Add an Indicator to See What Virtual Desktop You're On in Windows 10

Use Multiple Desktops on One Screen With the Virtual Desktop Feature in Windows 10

Take advantage of the virtual desktop feature in Windows 10 to organize your virtual space while working on a bunch of different things at once.

Sarah Jacobsson Purewal, Rae Hodge, Alison DeNisco Rayome

Feb. 15, 2022 4:00 a.m. PT

Sarah Jacobsson Purewal

Freelance Writer

Sarah is a freelance writer and CNET How To blogger. Her main focus is Windows, but she also covers everything from mobile tech to video games to DIY hardware projects. She likes to press buttons and see what happens, so don't let her near any control panels.

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Rae Hodge

Senior Editor

Rae Hodge is a senior editor for CNET, focusing on software, apps and services.

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Alison DeNisco Rayome

Managing Editor

Alison DeNisco Rayome is a managing editor at CNET, covering Health and Wellness and Parenting. She was previously an editor at TechRepublic.

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We'll show you how to use virtual desktops on Windows 10.

Microsoft

Using virtual desktops in Windows 10 can be highly advantageous, particularly for anyone with a single-monitor setup. If you're still working from home due to the pandemic and juggling several different projects on the same computer, multiple desktops can be a life-saver. [And now, if you're one of the many who are upgrading toWindows 11, it's even easier to set up and toggle between multiple virtual desktops. And you'll have access toother cool features like support for Android apps.] Whether you're a longtime Windows 10 user or have onlyrecently upgraded to Windows 10aftersupport for Windows 7 endedin 2020, we'll walk you through using multiple virtual desktops.

The Task View pane in Windows 10 allows you to add an unlimited number of virtual desktops quickly and easily. You can manage the view of your virtual desktop, and move applications to different desktops, show windows on all desktops or close pages on a selected desktop. Here's how to do it.

Create multiple desktops

1. On the taskbar, select theTask view icon, then selectNew desktop.
   

2. Open the apps you want to use on that desktop.

3. To switch to anotherdesktop, select Task view again.

Set backgrounds for desktops

You can also choose different backgrounds for each desktop if you're using a picture. If you're using a solid color or a slideshow, all your backgrounds will be the same.

To change a background if you're using a picture:

1. Right-click on the desktop you want to change.

2. Select Choose background.
   

3. Select the list in the Personalize your background section, then select Picture.

4. Select a picture.

Multiple desktops are great for keeping unrelated, ongoing projects organized—or for quickly switching desktops before a meeting. To create multiple desktops:

1. On the taskbar, select Task view > New desktop .

2. Open the apps you want to use on that desktop.

3. To switch to another desktop, select Task view again.

What is the point of multiple desktops Windows 10?

The multiple desktop feature of Windows 10 allows you to have several full-screen desktops with different running programs and allows you to switch quickly between them. It’s like having multiple computers at your fingertips.

Does Windows 10 slow multiple desktops?

But like browser tabs, having multiple desktops open can slow down your system. Clicking on a desktop on Task View makes that desktop active. … Any programs you’ve left open are transferred to another desktop, specifically the one to the left of the desktop you’ve just closed.

What is the purpose of new desktop in Windows 10?

Each virtual desktop you create allows you to open different programs. Windows 10 allows you to create an unlimited number of desktops so you can keep track of each one in detail. Each time you create a new desktop, you’ll see a thumbnail of it at the top of your screen in Task View.

What is the point of a new virtual desktop?

What is the purpose of a virtual desktop? A virtual desktop allows users to access their desktop and applications from anywhere on any kind of endpoint device, while IT organizations can deploy and manage these desktops from a centrally located data center.

When should you use virtual desktops?

6 Reasons You Need to Use Virtual Desktops

1. Heightened Cybersecurity. With increased cybersecurity incidents on SaaS, there has been a shift to virtual desktops. …
2. Cloud Computing Connects Your Company. …
3. Lower IT Costs by Eliminating Infrastructure. …
4. Employee Versatility. …
5. Multiple Ways to Set Up. …
6. Keeps Everything in the Back End.

Does virtual desktop need a good PC?

What You Need For Virtual Desktop. You will still need a VR-ready PC, just like Oculus Link. You’ll also still need the Oculus PC app installed, along with Steam and SteamVR if you want to play non-Oculus content.