How to Create Multiple Desktops in Windows 10
If you’re tired of your workspace feeling cluttered or just want to keep work and personal stuff separate but on the same machine, creating multiple desktops can be a lifesaver. It’s like having separate workspaces without needing an extra monitor. The problem is, Windows 10 doesn’t make this obvious at first glance—it’s kinda hidden in the taskbar and involves a few quick steps. Plus, on some setups, the feature can act flaky. Sometimes, it doesn’t open right away or the shortcuts don’t register; weird stuff like that. But once you get the hang of it, switching between desktops becomes second nature.
This guide covers the simplest and most reliable way—using the built-in Task View—to set up and toggle desktops quickly. If you’re looking for a more organized workflow or want to split your projects without juggling open windows all over your screen, this will help. Expect smoother multitasking, less clutter, and a more manageable workspace in Windows 10.
Creating Multiple Desktops in Windows 10
Open Task View
First, you’ll need to open the Task View. You can do this by clicking the button on your taskbar—it looks like two overlapping rectangles—and if it’s not there, right-click the taskbar and make sure Show Task View button is checked. Alternatively, just hit Windows key + Tab. It’s kinda weird that Windows doesn’t make this super obvious, but this shortcut has always been reliable for me, especially when the taskbar icon isn’t visible. Task View acts as your control panel for desktops, so mastering this step is key.
Add a New Desktop
Once inside Task View, you should see a + sign or a button at the bottom labeled New desktop. Clicking it creates a fresh, blank desktop—like flipping to a new page, but on your computer. This is perfect for starting a new task without distractions. Sometimes, on startup or after updates, this can glitch, and the button might not respond immediately—so if that happens, just close Task View, reopen it, or restart explorer.exe from the Task Manager. It’s limited but usually workable.
Switch Between Desktops
To hop between desktops, press Windows key + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow. On some devices, keyboard shortcuts are faster and more reliable than clicking around. This method is especially handy when multitasking between work and leisure. After testing on a few machines, I noticed that sometimes the shortcuts don’t register right away—probably because of background processes or drivers—but a quick restart of the explorer process or Windows itself usually fixes it.
Move Windows Between Desktops
If you accidentally dropped a window or just decided something fits better elsewhere, go back to Task View, then drag the window onto the preferred desktop. You can also right-click the window’s taskbar icon and select Move to > pick the desktop. Handy when you want a particular app to stay on your main desktop without closing and reopening. Not sure why, but sometimes dragging isn’t responsive, so using the move option from the right-click menu can be more reliable.
Close a Desktop
Finally, to tidy up, close a desktop by opening Task View, then clicking the X on the top-right corner of each desktop thumbnail. When a desktop is closed, Windows automatically moves its open windows and apps to another desktop—so nothing gets lost. On some setups, closing desktops with many apps open can cause minor hiccups or temporarily freeze, but generally, it works smoothly after a minute or two.
Once you’re comfortable with these steps, managing multiple desktops should be a breeze. Windows 10’s multitasking capabilities get a lot more practical, even if the process feels a bit hidden or clunky at times.
Tips for Creating Multiple Desktops in Windows 10
- Designate specific desktops for different tasks: work, personal, gaming, whatever.
- Use keyboard shortcuts like Windows key + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow for quick switching.
- Keep most-used apps on your primary desktop for faster access.
- Double down with third-party apps (like “Dexpot” or “DisplayFusion”) if you need more features, like renaming desktops or different wallpapers per desktop. Because, of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
- Regularly clean up and close unused desktops to keep everything tidy and performant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the actual benefit of using multiple desktops?
Helps keep your work organized, reduces the clutter on one screen, and makes switching between different projects or routines way easier. It’s like digital folders or separate offices in one place.
Can I name my desktops in Windows 10?
Not by default. Windows doesn’t support custom naming, but third-party tools can add that feature if you’re into some extra customization.
How many desktops can I create?
Lots, but if you go overboard, your system might start slowing down or become unstable. Usually, 10–15 is fine on most setups—more if your PC is beefed up.
Closing a desktop deletes nothing—right?
Exactly. All the apps and windows get moved to another desktop, so nothing gets lost. Just tidy up desktops you don’t need anymore.
Can I have different wallpapers for each desktop?
Windows 10 doesn’t support this natively, but some third-party tools like “DisplayFusion” can do it. Expect to do a bit of setup, but it works on some machines.
Summary
- Open Task View (Windows key + Tab, or taskbar button)
- Add a new desktop in Task View
- Switch between desktops with Windows key + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow
- Drag or move windows between desktops in Task View
- Close desktops you no longer need
Wrap-up
Managing multiple desktops in Windows 10 is a total game-changer if you’re into keeping things organized or just want to tame your cluttered workspace. Sure, it can be a bit finicky or hidden away—especially if the shortcuts or taskbar icons don’t behave perfectly—but once you nail the workflow, it’s super handy. Whether you’re juggling work, personal, or gaming stuff, these tips should help you get started. Just remember, every setup is different, so don’t get frustrated if things misbehave initially. Keep experimenting, and soon enough, switching between desktops will feel second nature. Fingers crossed this helps someone make their Windows experience a little less chaotic!