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Windows virtual desktops let you organize apps into separate software workspaces on one monitor. Create a desktop for each project or split work from personal tasks, then switch between them in Task View or with keyboard shortcuts. They do not add physical screen space, and Microsoft does not specify a maximum number of desktops.
What Windows virtual desktops do—and what they don’t
Each desktop is a separate work area for a group of apps and windows. You can keep different projects apart, for example, or move to a work desktop before a meeting. The feature changes which workspace is shown; it does not create extra physical displays or expand your monitor. Microsoft’s support instructions do not state a maximum desktop count. Microsoft’s guide to configuring multiple desktops describes the feature and its settings.
Virtual desktops and Snap solve different problems. Snap resizes and positions windows on the screen; virtual desktops separate groups of windows into workspaces. You can use Snap to arrange windows in the desktop you are viewing, then switch desktops to move between unrelated sets of apps. Microsoft’s multitasking guide covers both features.
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Use Task View when you want to see desktop thumbnails and manage windows visually. Keyboard shortcuts are quicker if you prefer not to leave the keyboard.
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Create a desktop
- Press Windows key + Tab to open Task View, or select the Task View button on the taskbar.
- Select New desktop. Alternatively, press Windows key + Ctrl + D to create one directly.
- Open the apps you want to use in that workspace. In Task View, select the desktop’s name to rename it; labels such as “Writing,” “Research,” or “Personal” can make the workspaces easier to identify.
Switch desktops
In Task View, select the desktop you want. To move between neighboring desktops without opening Task View, press Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow or Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow. Microsoft lists these commands in its Windows keyboard shortcuts reference.
Move a window or close a desktop
Move an app window
Open Task View and drag the window to the target desktop. Or right-click the window, choose Move to, and select a desktop. These Task View actions are useful when an app is open in the wrong workspace.
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Close a desktop
Open Task View and select the close control on the desktop’s thumbnail. Microsoft says the apps on a closed desktop move to the next available desktop; closing the desktop is not described as closing those apps. You can also press Windows key + Ctrl + F4 to close the current desktop. The shortcut is listed in Microsoft’s keyboard shortcuts reference.
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Choose which desktops appear in the taskbar and Alt+Tab
If an open window is missing from the taskbar or the Alt+Tab switcher after you change desktops, check the visibility settings. Go to Settings > System > Multitasking > Desktops. There you can choose whether the taskbar and Alt+Tab show windows from only the current desktop or from all desktops. The setting controls what appears in those navigation surfaces; it does not move the app window. See Microsoft’s desktop configuration instructions for details.
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Give desktops distinct backgrounds
A different picture background can help you recognize which desktop is open. Microsoft documents setting a picture for a specific desktop. For multiple desktops, its instructions say that per-desktop backgrounds require pictures: a slideshow or a different solid color for each desktop is not supported. Microsoft’s background guide explains the available options.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Windows version note
Microsoft’s multiple-desktop instructions cover Windows 10 and Windows 11. However, Microsoft states that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; after that date, free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes are no longer provided. For current instructions and a supported Windows version, use Microsoft’s multiple-desktop guide for Windows 11.
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