How to Create and Use Virtual Desktops on Windows 11

Virtual desktops are currently available in Windows 10, but they are easier to use and more discoverable in Windows 11. By default, after installing the new operating system, you will see a desktop button in the taskbar (the icon appears as two rectangles). By hovering over it, you can create multiple desktops to give yourself some extra space without additional physical monitors.

This feature makes it very convenient to have multiple desktops running different software without interfering with each other. For example, you can work on your work on one desktop and play games on the other.

How to create multiple desktops in Windows 11

To create new virtual desktop, hover over the "Task view" button on the taskbar. It is the button between the widget and the search icon. Then click "New desktop" from the pop-up menu.

When you have a new desktop, you can create a working environment for it. For example, you can create different desktops for the various projects you are working on. Or create a working environment and a "multimedia or gaming desktop" and switch between them.

To see what each virtual desktop you create is doing, hover over the Task View button and then hover over each desktop. Here, for example, I have three virtual desktops running, each with a different application.

How to rename virtual desktops

By default, Windows provides a common name for each desktop. But you can create specific names for each one. Hover over the Task view button, right-click on the desktop, and select “Rename”.

Then enter the name you want to give the desktop. Do this for each one you want to rename.

How to move app window between desktops

Sometimes you may want to move an application's window from one desktop to another. To do this, click the Task view button and hover your mouse over the desktop where the window you want to move is located. Then right-click on the window and click “Move to”, then select the target desktop.

How to close virtual desktops on Windows 11

To close a virtual desktop, click the Task view button, hover over the desktop you want to close, and click the X icon in the upper right corner of the preview.

You can also right-click the Virtual Desktop preview thumbnail and then click “Close”. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Win + Ctrl + F4 to close the desktop.

Closing the desktop does not close the open applications, but simply moves them to a location.