How to Create and Manage Virtual Desktops in Windows 11

Dec 2, 2021

With remote work becoming a more standard form of full-time employment, digital organization is becoming more and more essential. With many people now using the same computer for both professional and personal purposes, it's important to know how to keep our apps in order.

Windows 11 offers an updated version of Virtual Desktop - a feature that first appeared in Windows 10 - that make staying organized a matter of just a few simple clicks. While other updates to Windows 11, like the centering of the Start Button, left users feeling confused, the updates to Virtual Desktop are, in my opinion, fantastic.

Here's how you can create and manage virtual desktops in Windows 11.

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Clicking on the Desktops symbol (two, overlapping gray squares) will open a display of all your open programs and desktops you've created. If you haven't done anything with a second desktop yet, your display will look something like the above.

You can also simply scroll over the Desktops symbol to see how many desktops currently exist.

Create a new Virtual Desktop by clicking on "New desktop." This will open a new, empty desktop, on which you can open any apps or programs you'd like to run. All the open programs on your original desktop will stay open, and you can navigate back to them by hovering over the Desktops icon and then selecting 'Desktop 1'.

Another way to create a new desktop is to use the keyboard shortcut Win + Ctrl + D.

You can also rename your desktops for an extra layer of organization by clicking on the text that reads 'Desktop 1' and typing in a new name. You can see above that I've renamed Desktop 1 'Howchoo.'

And just like that, you're more organized than ever before thanks to Virtual Desktops in Windows 11!

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Jamie (33)

Nov 15, 2021

We all have our favorite browsers, but it's becoming clear that Microsoft is less concerned with its users' personal preferences and more focused on forcing people to use Edge.

How to Create and Manage Virtual Desktops in Windows 11

Open Your Virtual Desktops

Create a New Desktop

Rename Your Desktops