Windows 11 lets you create and switch between separate desktops using Task View

Windows 11 includes a built-in feature called Task View that lets you create multiple desktops and jump between them. Each desktop is a separate workspace—you can have email and documents open on one, a web browser on another, and work projects on a third. Switching between them takes one keystroke or a few clicks. This is different from straightforward minimizing windows; the desktops themselves stay separate and remember what you left open on each one.

The quickest way to switch desktops is to press Windows key + Tab. This opens Task View, which shows all your desktops at the top of the screen. Click the one you want, and you jump to it when ready. If you prefer not to use the keyboard shortcut, you can also click the Task View button on your taskbar, or swipe in from the left edge of your screen on a touchscreen device.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Windows key + Tab to open Task View and see all your desktops in one view.
  • Create a new desktop by clicking the plus sign labeled "New desktop" in the Task View window.
  • Switch between desktops by clicking the one you want in Task View, or use Windows key + right arrow or left arrow to move between them in order.
  • Delete a desktop by right-clicking it in Task View and selecting "Delete this desktop"—any open windows will move to your remaining desktops.
  • Each desktop keeps its own set of open windows and remembers them even after you switch away and come back.

Opening Task View and creating a new desktop

Press Windows key + Tab to open Task View. You will see a dark overlay with your current desktop shown as a card, and a button labeled "New desktop" (or a plus sign) in the upper left. Click it to create another desktop. Windows will add it to the right of your existing desktops and automatically switch you to the new one.

You can create as many desktops as you need. There is no hard limit, though most people find three to five desktops enough for their workflow. Once you have created a few, they will all appear as cards in Task View, and you can see at a glance which windows are open on each one.

Switching between desktops with the keyboard

If you use the keyboard, you have two fast options. Press Windows key + Tab to open Task View, then click the desktop you want. Or use Windows key + right arrow to move to the next desktop to the right, and Windows key + left arrow to move to the previous one. These shortcuts cycle through your desktops in order, so if you have three desktops and press right arrow while on the third one, you will loop back to the first.

The arrow shortcuts are faster if you switch between the same two or three desktops repeatedly, because you do not have to open Task View. But if you have many desktops and need to jump to one in the middle, opening Task View and clicking is usually quicker.

Switching between desktops with the mouse

Open Task View by clicking the Task View button on your taskbar (it looks like two overlapping rectangles) or by pressing Windows key + Tab. Your desktops appear as cards at the top of the screen. Click the one you want to switch to it. The window you were using will stay open on the desktop you left, and the windows on the new desktop will come to the front.

On a touchscreen device, you can also swipe in from the left edge of the screen to open Task View, or swipe left and right across the top of the screen to move between desktops without opening Task View at all. This gesture works the same way as the arrow key shortcuts.

Moving windows between desktops

If you want to move a window from one desktop to another, open Task View (Windows key + Tab) and find the window in the desktop card. Right-click the window and select "Move to" or "Show this window on," then choose the desktop you want to move it to. The window will close on the current desktop and open on the one you selected.

Alternatively, you can drag a window from one desktop card to another in Task View. Click and hold the window, then drag it to the desktop card where you want it to appear. This method works well if you are reorganizing several windows at once.

Renaming desktops to keep track of your work

Windows 11 does not have a built-in way to rename desktops, but you can use window titles and organization to keep track of what each one is for. For example, you might keep email and calendar on Desktop 1, web browsing on Desktop 2, and project work on Desktop 3. Open Task View regularly to see which windows are on each desktop, and you will quickly remember which is which.

If you want more control over desktop names and settings, you can look into third-party tools like VirtualDesktopManager or PowerToys (a free tool from Microsoft). These add features like custom names and keyboard shortcuts for specific desktops, but for most users, the built-in Task View is enough.

Deleting a desktop you no longer need

Open Task View and right-click the desktop you want to remove. Select "Delete this desktop." Any windows that were open on that desktop will move to one of your remaining desktops—usually the one to the left. Windows will not close the windows themselves; they will just shift to another workspace.

If you delete a desktop by mistake, you can create a new one right away using the "New desktop" button. There is no undo, but since creating a desktop takes seconds, this is not a major problem. Just open the windows you need again on the new desktop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different wallpapers for different desktops?

No, Windows 11 uses the same wallpaper across all desktops. The background you see is the same on Desktop 1, Desktop 2, and any others you create. If you want different backgrounds, you would need to use a third-party tool like PowerToys or a dedicated virtual desktop manager.

What happens to my windows if I restart my computer?

Windows 11 does not save your desktops or the windows on them after you shut down or restart. When you turn your computer back on, all your desktops will be gone, and you will start with a single desktop. You will need to recreate them and reopen your windows. If you want to keep the same setup, you can pin frequently used apps to your taskbar so they are straightforward to find.

Can I move a desktop to a different position?

Yes. Open Task View and drag a desktop card left or right to reorder it. This does not affect the windows on that desktop—it only changes the order in which they appear in Task View and the order you cycle through them with the arrow key shortcuts.

Is there a way to see all windows from all desktops at once?

Task View shows you all your desktops and the windows on each one, but you cannot bring windows from different desktops into the same view. You can only switch to a desktop to work with its windows. If you need to see windows from multiple desktops side by side, move them to the same desktop first using the right-click "Move to" option.