Windows 11: Organize Your Work with Multiple Virtual Desktops
Separate screens for each task with virtual desktopss. Open [Task View] or Win+Tab on the taskbar and select [New Desktop]. Switch with Win+Ctrl+←/→, and only the intended window will be displayed on each desktop.
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Who this guide is for and what to prepare
- Users who want to streamline daily operations with Windows 11
- Users who want to try out the feature in a way that allows them to restore the settings.
What you need
- Save the file you are working on and try it with test data that does not include personal information.
- Virtual desktops are not separate users or security boundaries. Share files and notifications from the same sign-in session
Purpose and prerequisites
Separate screens for each task with virtual desktopss. Open [Task View] or Win+Tab on the taskbar and select [New Desktop]. Switch with Win+Ctrl+←/→, and only the intended window will be displayed on each desktop.
Virtual desktops are not separate users or security boundaries. Share files and notifications from the same sign-in session
Configure the feature
Open [Task View] or Win+Tab on the taskbar and select [New Desktop].
- Open [Task View] or Win+Tab on the taskbar and select [New Desktop]
Try it out and see the results
Click on the desktop name and change it to "Meeting", "Survey", etc., then drag the app's title bar to another desktop in the task view. Switch with Win+Ctrl+←/→, and only the intended window will be displayed on each desktop.
Create two desktops, one for "work" and one for "meetings," with notepad open on one and browser on the other. Switch with Ctrl+Win+left and right arrows, and move the window with [Move to] in the task view. An X on the desktop moves the app inside without closing it.
You can also right-click the reduced window you want to move in Task View and select the desired desktop from [Move to]. Switching to the meeting desktop before screen sharing makes it easier to find the materials you plan to share. However, it is not a function to keep notifications and app contents secret, and the selection of windows to share is done on the meeting app side.
- Click the desktop name and change it to "Meeting", "Survey", etc., then drag the app's title bar to another desktop in the task view.
- Switch with Win+Ctrl+←/→, and only the intended window will be displayed on each desktop.
Turn it off and restore the previous setup
Select [Close] on unnecessary desktops using Win+Tab. The open app will be moved to the next desktop without being lost.
- Select [Close] on unnecessary desktops using Win+Tab. Open apps are moved to the next desktop without being lost.
Limitations and requirements
- Virtual desktops are not separate users or security boundaries. Share files and notifications from the same sign-in session
- If the settings are fixed on an organization-managed PC, check with the administrator instead of using unofficial methods to circumvent the policy.
Frequently asked questions
Does closing the desktop also close the document?
Even if you close the virtual desktops, the open apps will move to another desktop. This is different from closing the app.
Can I use it as a separate account?
This is a function that separates the work screens of the same Windows user. User accounts and access rights are not segregated.
Official sources and verification date
Sources checked: . Check the official sources below for changes to supported systems, plans and menus.