Virtual desktop. What is it used for, and how do you set one up in Windows?

Tired of a cluttered desktop? Or maybe you need more space to work on different projects? Windows 10 has a clever solution for that. A virtual desktop lets you separate work documents from personal ones, and graphic design projects from the texts you’re currently writing. Find out how to make the most of the features Windows has to offer.

Virtual Desktop – Everything You Need to Know to Get Started

Company documents on one screen, graphic designs on another, and study materials on a third— that’s how the virtual desktop works in Windows 10. The system lets you create several independent workspaces that you can switch between freely.

Graphic designers, photographers, and programmers have long recognized the benefits of this solution. No wonder—when you’re working on multiple projects at once, it’s easy to get lost among all the open windows and documents.

This feature has been available on macOS and Linux for quite some time. Microsoft introduced virtual desktops with the release of Windows 10 in 2015, joining macOS and Linux.

What's the best part? Theoretically, an unlimited number of desktops. Just keep in mind that each additional one puts extra strain on your hardware.

Second Windows 10 Desktop – Setup and Customization

Windows 10 runs smoothly on basic hardware, but you'll notice a noticeable slowdown with each additional program you open. That's why it's a good idea to equip your computer with at least 8 GB of RAM.

To create a new workspace in Windows 10, you have several options:

• Press Windows + Ctrl + D;
• swipe up with three fingers on the touchpad;
• Click the "Task View" icon on the taskbar, then select "New Desktop";
• To switch between areas, use the Windows + Ctrl + arrow keys (left or right).

If you prefer the touchpad, just swipe sideways with three fingers. The system will automatically display the selected workspace.

Importantly, each newly created environment operates independently. You can open different programs and files in it than in the others. This makes it easy to keep different tasks separate—for example, work documents from personal media.

How to switch desktops – personalization options

Windows 10 offers plenty of options for customizing each desktop. You can set a different background, change the theme color, or modify the set of icons on the taskbar —the system will save these settings separately for each workspace.

You can set a new wallpaper using the context menu—right-click on the desktop and select "Personalize." Using different wallpapers is a great way to distinguish between your desktops—you'll be able to tell your work space from your personal space in an instant.

The taskbar will only display the programs you’ve launched on that desktop. You can change this in the system settings—then the program icons will be visible everywhere. This is useful if you frequently use the same apps for different tasks. For example, a web browser works well for both work-related correspondence and watching movies in the evening.

Windows also lets you move windows between desktops. Right-click on the window’s title bar and select the destination desktop. This lets you organize your tasks in an instant. The system also offers additional window management options—you can pin windows to a specific desktop or set them to appear on all desktops at once.

You can customize the taskbar to suit your preferences. You can change its position, size, or how icons are displayed—separately for each desktop. This way, you can create the perfect workspace for every task.

Switching between desktops – from the basics to advanced tricks

Once you've created a few desktops, it's time to learn how to switch between them efficiently. Windows 10 offers several simple ways to switch between them:

• Press Windows + Ctrl + the arrow keys (left or right) to quickly switch between desktops;
• Click the Task View icon on the taskbar or use Windows + Tab to view all desktops on a single screen;
• Swipe sideways with three fingers on the touchpad if you prefer gestures.

It's just as easy to move windows between desktops.Simply left-click on a window and drag it to another desktop in the task view. You can also right-click on the window's title bar and choose where you want to move it.

On the taskbar, you can choose whether to display programs from all desktops or just the current one. This makes it easy to find the apps you need, even when you’re using them across different projects.

To quickly close an unused desktop, use the Windows + Ctrl + F4 shortcut. Don't worry—all the programs open on that desktop will automatically move to the adjacent desktop.

A second desktop in Windows 10 – what’s it good for?

Windows 10 introduced a feature that really makes everyday computer work easier. Virtual desktops let you split the screen into several independent spaces, so each task has its own dedicated area.

Let’s take a typical day at the office. In the morning, you open the spreadsheets and invoices you need to get through before noon. In the meantime, emails from clients arrive that require an immediate response. After lunch, you have to prepare a presentation for tomorrow’s meeting. Instead of getting lost in dozens of open windows, you place each of these tasks on a separate desktop.

Teachers use this feature as well. They prepare materials for different subjects on separate desktops; for example, after finishing a biology lesson, they can quickly switch to chemistry materials—without having to close and open dozens of files.

It’s often hard to stay focused when working remotely. Notifications from social media can easily distract you from your work documents. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep these areas separate—work files and programs on one desktop, and personal ones on another.

However, keep in mind the limitations of your hardware. Every new desktop application means additional programs running in your computer’s memory. Make sure your processor and RAM can handle the load.

How can I resolve issues with virtual desktops?

Does your computer slow down every time you switch to a new desktop? This often happens when you're working intensively in Windows 10. Fortunately, just a few simple steps are all it takes to get your system running smoothly again.

First, check the Task Manager. There, you’ll see which programs are using the most CPU and RAM. Often, all you need to do is close a few unused apps, and everything will be running smoothly again.

However, the main reason your computer slows down is that you don’t have enough RAM. To run multiple desktops smoothly, you need at least 8 GB. Programs like Photoshop and video games require even more power, so it’s worth upgrading to 16 GB—then you can say goodbye to performance issues.

Start using virtual desktops today!

Don’t wait—try out virtual desktops in Windows 10. Press Windows + Ctrl + D and create your first additional workspace. Switch between desktops using Windows + Ctrl + arrow keys, and you’ll quickly see how convenient your digital office can be. Just remember to check your system’s performance regularly and close unused programs.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

• Why does my computer run slower after I create multiple desktops?

Each new desktop puts additional strain on your RAM and CPU. Check the Task Manager to see which programs are putting the most strain on your system, and close any unnecessary applications. For smooth multitasking across multiple desktops, you’ll need at least 8 GB of RAM.

• Why can't I open the same program on the second desktop?

This is normal behavior in Windows 10. When you try to open a program that is already running on another desktop, the system will automatically switch you to the first instance.

• Can I have different wallpapers on each desktop?

Yes, but you have to set it up manually. By default, all desktops have the same wallpaper and set of icons.

• What happens to open programs when the desktop is closed?

Don't worry—all open programs will automatically move to the adjacent desktop. You won't lose any data or open documents.