Virtual desktops in Windows 10 let you group open apps into separate workspaces so you can switch between different contexts without cluttering a single desktop. You might keep your work apps on one desktop, your browser and personal tools on another, and a media player on a third, then flip between them in one keystroke.
This guide covers creating new desktops, switching between them, moving windows from one to another, closing desktops you no longer need, and the keyboard shortcuts that make the whole workflow fast enough to actually use day-to-day.
Quick Answer
Press Win + Ctrl + D to create a new virtual desktop. Switch to the next or previous desktop with Win + Ctrl + Right Arrow or Win + Ctrl + Left Arrow. To move a window to a different desktop, press Win + Tab to open Task View, right-click the window thumbnail, and choose Move to. Close any desktop with Win + Ctrl + F4.
Create a New Virtual Desktop
There are two ways to create a new desktop: through Task View or with a keyboard shortcut. Task View is easier to understand the first time, while the shortcut is faster once you know what you are doing.
Using Task View
- Click the Task View button in the taskbar (it looks like two overlapping rectangles), or press Win + Tab.
- Click New Desktop in the top-left corner of the Task View screen.
- A new empty desktop appears in the top row. Click it to switch to it.
Using the Keyboard Shortcut
Press Win + Ctrl + D from anywhere on your desktop. Windows immediately creates a new desktop and switches to it without opening Task View first. This is the fastest method once you have the shortcut memorized.
Switch Between Virtual Desktops
You can switch between desktops using Task View or keyboard shortcuts. The keyboard approach is much faster and becomes second nature after a day or two of use.
Using Task View
- Press Win + Tab to open Task View.
- Click any desktop thumbnail in the top row to jump to that desktop.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Press Win + Ctrl + Right Arrow to move to the next desktop to the right, or Win + Ctrl + Left Arrow to move to the one on the left. Windows cycles through your desktops in order, so if you are on the last one and press Right, nothing happens. You need to press Left to get back.
Move a Window to a Different Desktop
When you have a window open on one desktop and want it on another, use Task View to move it rather than closing and reopening it.
- Press Win + Tab to open Task View.
- Hover over the desktop that contains the window you want to move. Its open apps appear as thumbnails.
- Right-click the app thumbnail you want to move.
- Select Move to, then choose the destination desktop from the submenu.
The window instantly moves to that desktop. Switch to it with Win + Ctrl + Arrow to confirm.
Close a Virtual Desktop
When you close a virtual desktop, any windows open on it do not disappear. Windows automatically moves them to the desktop to the left so you never lose your work.
Using Task View
- Open Task View with Win + Tab.
- Hover over the desktop you want to close. An X appears in the top-right corner of the thumbnail.
- Click the X to close that desktop.
Using the Keyboard Shortcut
Switch to the desktop you want to close, then press Win + Ctrl + F4. It closes immediately and any windows on it move to the adjacent desktop.
Essential Keyboard Shortcuts
Once you start relying on virtual desktops, using the keyboard exclusively is much faster than Task View for every action. These are the shortcuts worth committing to memory:
- Win + Ctrl + D — Create a new virtual desktop
- Win + Ctrl + Right Arrow — Switch to the next desktop
- Win + Ctrl + Left Arrow — Switch to the previous desktop
- Win + Ctrl + F4 — Close the current desktop
- Win + Tab — Open Task View to manage desktops and windows
On Windows 11, you can rename individual desktops by clicking the desktop name in Task View and typing a new name, which makes it much easier to keep track of which desktop is for work, personal use, or projects.
Tips for Organizing with Virtual Desktops
Virtual desktops are most useful when you assign a purpose to each one before you start working. A common setup is Desktop 1 for work (email, documents, project tools), Desktop 2 for reference and research (browser tabs for the current task), and Desktop 3 for personal apps (messaging, music, anything unrelated to work).
Apps like Spotify, your email client, and communication tools work well on a dedicated desktop because they stay running in the background and you can jump to them instantly without hunting through a crowded taskbar. If you find yourself constantly alt-tabbing between too many windows, splitting them across two or three desktops usually makes the workflow noticeably cleaner. You can also pair virtual desktops with a well-tuned mouse for faster navigation across large displays.