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Márlon Medeiros Brum
Márlon Medeiros Brum

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Windows 10 Virtual Desktops

I'd like to recommend a feature of Windows 10 (that might be present in previous versions, I'm not sure), that I know it exists, but never gave a thought on how it could be useful: Multiple Virtual Desktops. You can divide your opened applications and windows in different virtual desktops, to help organize your work.

To create a new desktop, just press Ctrl + Windows + D, or press Windows + Tab and click "New Desktop": Alt Text

You can switch between Desktops with Ctrl + Windows + [Right Arrow] and Ctrl + Windows + [Left Arrow], or by pressing Windows+Tab and clicking on the desktop.

Now, when you open an app, it will remain in the desktop you opened it, unless you press Window+Tab, right click on the window listed, Move To..

I've thought about two scenarios that this feature could be usefull. You could have a desktop only for development related programs, visual studio, sql server, browser for searching and testing etc. In another desktop you can keep non development related apps, like Media Players, messengers etc.

Another nice scenario: Imagine you're working on a PHP Project, with Visual Studio Code, My Sql, along with some browser tabs to run your project and some searches about that. Suddenly, you get a call about another project, and have halt your currently work to solve a bug on it. But this is a C# project , so you open a new desktop, and open Visual Studio , SQL Server and browsers, to work on this new project, without having the other windows there to clutter your desktop. When you need to change to the previous project, just switch back the previous desktop.

Top comments (3)

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marlonbrum profile image
Márlon Medeiros Brum

Another use I've just thought of: Putting you Remote desktop window in a separated desktop to prevent it getting into your Alt + Tab normal sequence. When you enter in a remote desktop in alt+Tab, the next alt + tabs will change windows in the remote machine, and you''l have to exit remote window to continue to windows in your machines. Putting it in another dekstop, the remote window won't get in the way.

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moopet profile image
Ben Sinclair

I make use of virtual desktops when I'm working on a single-screen system like a laptop when I'm out and about. At home, I use more monitors :)

I do kind of what you suggest, though, and keep social/email apps full screen on other, non-primary workspaces so they're all running and easy to browse but at the same time not a distraction.

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marlonbrum profile image
Márlon Medeiros Brum

A Nice thing is multiple desktops Works even with multiple monitors