The fastest way to move between desktops

Windows 11 lets you create multiple desktops and jump between them using keyboard shortcuts or your mouse. The quickest method is to press Windows key + Tab to open Task View, then click the desktop you want. You can also swipe left or right with four fingers on a trackpad, or use Windows key + Ctrl + Left Arrow to move to the previous desktop and Windows key + Ctrl + Right Arrow to move to the next one.

Each desktop is completely separate. You can have email open on Desktop 1, work documents on Desktop 2, and games on Desktop 3 without them interfering with each other. Windows remembers which windows belong to which desktop, so when you switch back, everything is exactly where you left it.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Windows key + Tab to see all your desktops at once, then click the one you want to use.
  • Use Windows key + Ctrl + Right Arrow to move forward through desktops and Windows key + Ctrl + Left Arrow to move backward without opening Task View.
  • Create a new desktop by opening Task View and clicking the plus sign labeled "New desktop" in the bottom right.
  • Right-click any desktop in Task View to rename it, delete it, or move windows between desktops.

Opening Task View to see all desktops at once

Task View is the control center for managing desktops. Press Windows key + Tab and your screen will show a thumbnail of each desktop you have created, arranged left to right. The desktop you are currently using has a blue border around it. Click any other desktop to switch to it when ready.

Task View also shows all open windows across all desktops, so you can see what you have running without switching. This is useful when you are looking for a specific window and cannot remember which desktop it is on. You can click any window thumbnail to jump directly to that window and its desktop.

Creating a new desktop

Open Task View by pressing Windows key + Tab. Look at the bottom right corner of the screen—you will see a button that says "New desktop" with a plus sign. Click it. A new blank desktop appears when ready and becomes your active desktop.

You can create as many desktops as you want. Most people find three to five desktops useful for organizing work, but there is no limit. Each new desktop starts empty, and you can open different windows on it by launching programs normally or dragging windows from other desktops.

Moving windows between desktops

To move a window from one desktop to another, open Task View by pressing Windows key + Tab. Find the window you want to move in the thumbnail view. Right-click it and select "Move to", then choose the desktop where you want it to go. The window disappears from its current desktop and appears on the new one.

You can also drag a window directly. In Task View, click and hold a window thumbnail, then drag it onto a different desktop thumbnail. Release the mouse button and the window moves. This method is faster once you get used to it, especially if you are moving several windows at once.

Renaming desktops to stay organized

Right-click any desktop thumbnail in Task View and select "Rename". Type a name like "Work," "Personal," or "Gaming"—whatever helps you remember what that desktop is for. Press Enter to save the name. The name appears below the desktop thumbnail so you can identify it at a glance.

Renaming is optional but helpful if you use many desktops. Instead of counting "the third one from the left," you can see "Project Files" or "Email" and know exactly where you are going. You can rename a desktop anytime by right-clicking it again.

Deleting a desktop you no longer need

Open Task View and right-click the desktop you want to remove. Select "Delete". Windows will ask you to confirm. Any windows open on that desktop will move to the desktop to its left, so you will not lose your work—the windows just shift to a different desktop.

If you delete the rightmost desktop, its windows move to the desktop on its left. If you delete the only desktop, Windows creates a new blank one automatically because you must always have at least one desktop. Deleting a desktop is permanent, but since your windows are preserved, you can always recreate it later if needed.

Keyboard shortcuts for quick switching without Task View

Once you are comfortable with desktops, keyboard shortcuts let you move between them without opening Task View. Press Windows key + Ctrl + Right Arrow to jump to the next desktop to the right. Press Windows key + Ctrl + Left Arrow to jump to the previous desktop to the left. These shortcuts cycle through your desktops in order.

If you are on the rightmost desktop and press Right Arrow, you will wrap around to the leftmost desktop. The same happens in reverse. These shortcuts are the fastest way to switch once you memorize them, and they work even when Task View is not open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move a window to a different desktop without using Task View?

Not directly with a keyboard shortcut. You must use Task View, right-click the window, and select "Move to," or drag the window onto another desktop thumbnail. Some third-party tools add this feature, but Windows 11 does not include a keyboard-only method.

What happens to my desktops if I restart my computer?

All your desktops and the windows on them close when you shut down. When you restart, Windows creates a fresh set of desktops. You will need to recreate them and reopen your programs. Windows does not save desktop layouts between restarts.

Can I see windows from multiple desktops on the screen at the same time?

No. Each desktop is separate, and you can only view one at a time. If you need to see two windows side by side, open both on the same desktop and use Windows Snap to arrange them. Press Windows key + Left Arrow or Right Arrow to snap a window to half the screen.

Is there a way to move a window to the next desktop automatically?

Windows 11 does not have a built-in feature for this. You must manually move windows using Task View or drag them between desktops. Some third-party tools and advanced settings can automate this, but the standard Windows 11 method is manual.

Can I set different wallpapers for different desktops?

No. Your wallpaper, taskbar, and system settings are the same across all desktops. Only the open windows change. Some third-party tools can simulate different wallpapers per desktop, but Windows 11 itself does not support this natively.