Create a More Productive Workspace With Multiple Desktops in Windows 10
Are you having difficulty staying productive with so many windows, tabs and applications getting in the way? With modern technology it’s sometimes difficult to focus when there are so many digital distractions. Thankfully, Windows 10 comes with a fantastic feature to help you stay on task! There is a feature in Windows 10 that helps you create multiple desktops, each with it’s own set of windows and apps. This great feature goes a long way to help you stay organized and on task. Keep reading below and we will show you how to switch desktops to help you stay organized in your digital life.
What Are Multiple Desktops on Windows 10
Virtual Desktops is a feature that allows you to switch between different workspaces on the same computer. You can very quickly switch between different sets of applications by utilizing task view and virtual desktops. This will allow you to focus on a single task or a set of tasks without potentially getting distracted by other windows and applications that are open on the same screen.
Productivity Benefits of Virtual Desktops on Windows 10
When you use multiple desktops it allows you to focus on one app or a set of applications instead of a cluttered screen full of all the different applications. Let’s say you are working on a spreadsheet and need to focus on that spreadsheet to meet your deadline for work. While you are working on that spreadsheet multiple emails are coming in, instant messages, and phone calls. Having a separate desktop in Windows to focus on a single task allows you to ignore all of those distractions and completely focus on the one spreadsheet you need to be working on. When you are ready to come back to it, you can switch to the communication desktop in Windows to see what you missed while you were working on other things.
How to Switch Desktops Windows 10
It is very easy to switch to the desktop you want. All you have to do is press Windows key + Tab. Hitting this key combination will open the Task View window. You can then switch to a different desktop by clicking on the thumbnail for the desktop you want in the various options that appear.
If you need to to create a new desktop, all you have to do is press the Windows key + Ctrl + D buttons on your keyboard. This will go ahead and create a new desktop and switch to that new desktop for you. To quickly close that desktop, press the Windows key + Ctrl + F4 shortcut combination.
You also have the ability to move applications and tabs between your various desktops by dragging the app thumbnail to the desktop that you want. All you have to do is click the task view button and get to organizing.
Task View Window
You can access the task view window by hitting the Windows key + Tab keyboard shortcut. From the task view window you have the ability switch between different desktops, create and manage windows, and close a desktop. You can also open task view if you click the task view button next to the search bar in your Windows 10 taskbar.
Within task view you will see all of your open applications listed in the middle of the screen. With this feature you can switch desktops and applications quickly. You can also add multiple virtual desktops depending on your needs right from the task view window.
The Difference Between “Windows key + Tab” and “Alt + Tab”
Since the addition of the virtual desktop, there has been a difference between the Windows key + Tab and Alt + Tab keyboard shortcuts. Yes, both of these shortcuts access a list of your running applications and allows you to select which one you want, the Windows key + Tab only shows the applications running on the one virtual desktop you are in at the time. It also exposes an interface that includes the controls to manage virtual desktops, and a list of all your Timeline activities.
So we have established that the Windows key + Tab keyboard shortcut accesses a list of all your running applications on your current desktop. In comparison, the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut accesses a list of all your running applications across all desktops instead of just the one and allows you to open the desktop you want based on the running applications. You can keep pressing Alt + Tab to cycle through all of your apps, once you cycle to the one you want it will take you to that app on the desktop where it is running in.
Tips on Using Virtual Desktops in Windows 10 for Greater Efficiency
When you switch and create a new virtual desktop on your PC, it allows you to focus on one task at a time by working on the one desktop you want at a time. This will certainly assist you in improving productivity and helping you to stay on task. See below for some additional tips on using the virtual desktop feature to create more a productive workspace.
• Set up a separate virtual desktop for each task for specific tasks – You can easily create a new virtual desktop for each specific task or set of tasks so you can switch between these virtual desktops quickly without having to cycle through multiple apps on the same screen. Using task view makes this process very easy.
• Use shortcut keys – Learn and utilize the different shortcuts to switch between different desktops and apps rather than having to click the task view button. We referenced multiple keyboard shortcuts in this article to start.
• Turn off notifications – Visual and audio notifications can make for a very distracting office. Do what you can to keep these distractions to a minimum or switch them off all together if possible.
Thankfully in Windows 10, virtual desktops allows you to easily switch between workspaces and stay organized and productive. Follow the steps above to switch between desktops and start creating a more productive workspace today.
A Few Key Takeaways
• Switching between virtual desktops is quick and easy using task view or shortcuts on your keyboard.
• Utilizing a virtual desktop will help you stay organized and more productive.
• You have the ability to customize each virtual desktop for different tasks or applications.
• Utilize shortcut keys to switch to the virtual desktop of your choice quickly without using the Task View window
Conclusion
Creating a productive workspace with virtual desktops will help you stay organized and focused on the task at hand using your Windows 10 OS. With it being so easy to switch between desktops, it is a no brainer to use this to help you keep your windows and applications separated and focus on one task at a time. Follow the steps outlined in this article to start using virtual desktop and task view features to start creating a more productive workspace today.
Ready to switch between virtual desktops? Reach out through our contact form and we’ll help you and your team utilize the many great features in Windows to make your team more productive.
