Switching between desktops on Windows 11 is pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. But hey, if you’re not used to the features, it can be a bit confusing or feel clunky at first. The goal here is to organize your workspaces so you can keep different projects, tabs, or apps separate, without having everything cluttered all over the screen. It’s kind of weird how built-in multitasking tools aren’t always intuitive, but knowing these steps really helps keep things running smoothly. Plus, you can hop between desktops with just a few clicks or shortcuts, which makes multitasking less of a hassle.
Step by Step: Switching Between Desktops in Windows 11
Here’s the lowdown on how to actually switch desktops, create new ones, and stay organized. It’s not rocket science, but if you don’t know where to look, it’s easy to miss these features.
Method 1: Using the Task View Button
This is the most visual way to handle desktops. You’ll want to find the Task View icon on your taskbar — looks like two overlapping rectangles. If you don’t see it, right-click the taskbar, pick Taskbar settings, then toggle on Task View. This kind of annoys some people because Windows tends to hide or mess with these icons, but once it’s there, it’s a quick click away. Clicking on it opens a view of all your open desktops and applications, and it’s pretty handy for managing multiple spaces. From here, you can add a new desktop by clicking somewhere that says + New desktop. Helps keep work versus gaming separated, so your browser tabs don’t get all mixed up.
Method 2: Keyboard Shortcuts for Fast Switches
If you’re tired of clicking around, keyboard shortcuts help a lot.Press Windows + Ctrl + Right Arrow or Left Arrow to jump between desktops. This is super quick once you get used to it, especially when multitasking or hopping between different projects. Not sure why it works, but sometimes, on one setup, the shortcuts act sluggish the first time, then work fine after a reboot. Windows can be weird that way, making you second-guess whether it’s a shortcut issue or system lag.
Method 3: Managing and Closing Desktops
Once you’ve got multiple desktops open, the Task View shows previews of all of them. To close one, hover over the desktop in the preview, then click the X button — kind of like closing a tab in your browser. Keep in mind, closing a desktop doesn’t close apps; they just move over to the remaining desktops. If you’re switching a lot, it’s worth naming your desktops for quick identification. Windows doesn’t give you a straightforward way to do this visually, but you can set custom names using PowerShell or scripts like Winhance. That way, you avoid confusion when juggling several desktops at once.
Tips for Switching Between Desktops in Windows 11
- Name your desktops: It helps if you set custom names through scripts or third-party tools because Windows doesn’t have a built-in way to label desktops visually. This way, you’ll remember which is for work, gaming, or personal stuff.
- Pin your favorite apps: Use the taskbar to pin apps you use across desktops, so you don’t have to hunt for them every time you switch. Just right-click the app icon on the taskbar and select Pin to taskbar.
- Snap layouts + desktops: Use the Snap Layouts feature (drag window or press Win + Z) alongside multiple desktops to organize multiple applications at once. It’s a combo that speeds things up if you want a cleaner workspace.
- Sticky Notes and reminders: Stick important notes across desktops with the Sticky Notes app—because why not keep your reminders vivid and persistent?
- Settings tweak: Dive into Settings > System > Multitasking to explore options like automatically showing desktop previews or enabling focus assist to block distractions.
FAQs
How many desktops can I create in Windows 11?
No official limit, but the more you create, the more memory Windows needs to keep track. Just keep an eye on your system performance if you start piling up desktops.
Can I customize each desktop with a different wallpaper?
Yes, if you set different wallpapers manually or via third-party tools, each desktop can have its own look, which is kind of cool for visual organization.
Do apps stay open when switching desktops?
Yup, they do. Switching desktops doesn’t close or minimize apps — they just stay in their respective space. On some machines, apps might flicker or seem like they’re loading again when moved, but that’s more of a visual glitch than anything else.
Is Task View available on all Windows 11 builds?
Yes, it’s built-in across all editions; no worries there.
Can apps be moved between desktops?
Sure, just drag them in Task View or right-click an app in the taskbar, then pick Move to and choose the destination desktop. That’s how to reorganize without closing and reopening everything.
Summary
- Find Task View icon on the taskbar (or enable it).
- Create new desktops for different tasks or projects.
- Switch with Clicks or keyboard shortcuts like Win + Ctrl + arrow.
- Close desktops when done, and apps stay put.
- Name desktops or pin apps for faster workflow.
Wrap-up
That’s the gist — once you get the hang of the task view and shortcuts, switching between desktops feels much less like a chore. It’s a neat way to keep your digital space organized without sacrificing speed. Whether you’re juggling multiple work tasks or just want to separate gaming from browsing, this can really help keep things tidy. And honestly, it works better than you might think after a bit of practice. Fingers crossed this helps someone save a little time or frustration!