Windows 11 has brought a fresh and modern interface that’s all about productivity and customization. One of its coolest features is the ability to change desktops — also called Virtual Desktops. Imagine having multiple workspaces: one for work, one for gaming, another for personal browsing. It’s like having multiple monitors inside your single screen.
In this guide, we’ll break down step-by-step how to change desktops on Windows 11, how to create new ones, customize them, and use them to supercharge your multitasking game.
Why Use Multiple Desktops in Windows 11?
Before diving into the steps, let’s understand why desktops matter.
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Better Organization – Keep work apps on one desktop and entertainment on another.
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Improved Productivity – Switch between projects without clutter.
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Cleaner Workflow – Avoid the mess of too many windows on one screen.
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Personalization – Customize each desktop with its own wallpaper.
Think of desktops as drawers in your desk — each holds a different set of tools, but you can open and close them whenever you need.
Step 1: Open Task View
Task View is the key to creating and switching desktops.
How to Open Task View
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Click the Task View button (two overlapping rectangles) on the taskbar.
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Or press Windows + Tab on your keyboard.
This opens a preview of all your current windows and desktops.
Step 2: Create a New Desktop
Once you’re in Task View:
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Click + New Desktop at the top of the screen.
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A blank desktop will appear, ready for use.
Now you officially have more than one workspace!
Step 3: Switch Between Desktops
Changing desktops is super easy.
Method 1: Using Task View
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Open Task View.
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Click the desktop you want to switch to.
Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts
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Windows + Ctrl + → (Right Arrow) to go to the next desktop.
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Windows + Ctrl + ← (Left Arrow) to go back.
This shortcut makes switching instant — no clicks needed.
Step 4: Move Windows Between Desktops
Let’s say you accidentally opened a work app in your gaming desktop. No problem!
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Open Task View.
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Right-click the window you want to move.
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Select Move to → Desktop X (choose the desktop).
You can also drag and drop windows between desktops directly in Task View.
Step 5: Rename Your Desktops
By default, Windows calls them Desktop 1, Desktop 2, etc. Boring, right?
How to Rename
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Open Task View.
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Right-click the desktop thumbnail.
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Select Rename and type something meaningful like “Work” or “Gaming.”
Step 6: Customize Each Desktop with Wallpapers
One of Windows 11’s neatest features is the ability to have different wallpapers for each desktop.
Steps
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Go to Task View.
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Right-click the desktop.
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Choose Choose background.
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Select a unique wallpaper for that desktop.
This way, you’ll instantly know which workspace you’re on just by the background.
Step 7: Use Desktops for Multitasking
Now that you know how to change desktops, let’s see some practical uses:
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Desktop 1: Work (emails, Office apps, Teams).
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Desktop 2: Personal (social media, browsing, shopping).
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Desktop 3: Gaming or Entertainment (Steam, Netflix, YouTube).
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Desktop 4: Creative Projects (Photoshop, coding tools).
Instead of everything fighting for space, each has its own neat little corner.
Step 8: Close a Desktop
When you’re done with a desktop:
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Open Task View.
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Hover over the desktop thumbnail.
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Click the X in the corner.
Don’t worry — the windows move automatically to another desktop instead of closing.
Step 9: Check Desktop Overview
If you have multiple desktops, it’s easy to forget where you put something.
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Press Windows + Tab to view all desktops.
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Hover over a desktop to see the open apps inside.
This way, you’ll never lose track of your work.
Step 10: Manage Desktops Like a Pro (Advanced Tips)
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Windows + Ctrl + D → Instantly create a new desktop.
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Windows + Ctrl + F4 → Close the current desktop.
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Windows + Tab → Manage all desktops at once.
Memorizing these shortcuts makes multitasking feel seamless.
Benefits of Changing Desktops in Windows 11
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Keeps distractions away.
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Faster workflow with less window clutter.
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Great for students who balance study + personal use.
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Perfect for professionals working on multiple projects.
It’s like switching gears on a bike — smooth, efficient, and focused.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Forgetting to rename desktops (makes things confusing).
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Opening the same app in multiple desktops unnecessarily.
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Creating too many desktops (you’ll end up lost instead of organized).
Keep it simple: 2–4 desktops are usually enough.
Who Should Use Multiple Desktops?
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Students juggling classes and entertainment.
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Remote workers balancing professional and personal life.
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Gamers who don’t want clutter during play.
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Creative professionals managing editing, design, and research.
Basically, anyone who multitasks will benefit from it.
Troubleshooting Desktop Issues
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Task View button missing? → Right-click the taskbar > Taskbar settings > enable Task View.
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Shortcuts not working? → Check if your keyboard layout is correct.
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Wallpaper not changing per desktop? → Make sure you’re on Windows 11, not 10 (since Win10 doesn’t support this).
Conclusion
Changing desktops in Windows 11 is one of the easiest ways to keep your digital life organized. Whether you’re a student, professional, or gamer, virtual desktops help you separate tasks, reduce clutter, and focus better.
With just a few clicks (or keyboard shortcuts), you can create, switch, and customize desktops like a pro. Once you start using them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
FAQs
1. How many desktops can I create in Windows 11?
There’s no strict limit, but practically, you can create dozens. For efficiency, stick to a few.
2. Can each desktop have different apps open?
Yes! Each desktop works independently with its own set of open apps.
3. Do desktops use extra memory or slow down my PC?
No, desktops don’t duplicate apps — they just organize them. Performance depends on open apps, not desktops.
4. Can I delete a desktop without losing my apps?
Yes. Closing a desktop only moves its apps to another desktop.
5. Is this feature available on Windows 10 too?
Yes, but Windows 11 offers more customization, like unique wallpapers for each desktop.