Virtual desktops are a handy way to incorporate lots of workspaces in Windows 10. There are a number of ways to quickly switch between virtual desktops, including some lesser known shortcuts.
To quickly switch between virtual desktops in Windows 10 using a keyboard shortcut, press Windows + Ctrl + Left arrow to switch to a lower numbered desktop or Windows + Ctrl + Right arrow for a higher numbered desktop. If there is a virtual desktop set in the 'direction' you specify with the arrow keys, the workspace will immediately switch over.
To quickly see the virtual desktops you have, press Windows + Tab . You will then see a screen called Task View , listing available virtual desktops with their thumbnails.
To use the keyboard and switch between virtual desktops on this desktop, press Tab until one of the thumbnails in the top row is highlighted. Then navigate between them by pressing the arrow keys, then press Enter. Task View will close and you will see the selected screen.
If you want to add a new virtual desktop via your keyboard, press Windows + Ctrl + D or just press Windows + Tab to reopen Task View . Using Tab and the arrow keys, select New Desktop , and then press Enter.
A new virtual desktop will appear. When you're done managing desktops, select one and press Enter or just press Escape to return to the desktop.
Use the Taskbar to switch between virtual desktops
If you want to quickly switch between virtual desktops via the Taskbar, click the Task View button or press Windows + Tab .
Next, click on the desktop you want to switch to.
If you don't see the Task View button on the taskbar, right-click the Taskbar, and then click Show Task View Button . Now it will have a check mark next to this option.
Once Task View is displayed, you can click this button at any time to manage your virtual desktop, which is certainly very helpful!
Use trackpad gestures to switch between virtual desktops
By default, Windows 10 reserves a handful of four-finger touchpad gestures for switching between virtual desktops. To use them, place four fingers on the touchpad at once and swipe them in a specific direction. As follows:
- 4-finger swipe upwards : Open Task View [like pressing Windows + Tab ].
- 4-finger swipe left: Switch to virtual desktop with lower numbering.
- 4-finger swipe right : Switch to a virtual desktop with higher numbers.
- 4-finger swipe down : Display current desktop.
If these gestures don't work, you may have turned them off in Settings. To enable them, click the Windows button on the taskbar and then select the gear icon to open the Settings menu. Next, navigate to Devices> Touchpad . Scroll down until you see options for Four-Fingered Gestures .
In the Swipes drop-down menu , choose Switch desktops and show desktop .
Alternatively, you can also assign these functions to three-finger gestures on the same Touchpad settings screen .
Then, close the Settings window . If your device supports multi-touch touchpad gestures, you can now use these swipe gestures to control the virtual desktop.
Update 11 September 2020
Switch Virtual desktops screen or multiple screen on Windows 10 operating system now made very easy with 4 simple methods like a shortcut, touchpad, keyboard, and also check different icons setup…
So, most of the time you might hear people saying they love this new technology feature which Microsoft has released with Windows 10 that they can switch between different desktops, but this does not mean that you have two desktop operating systems because this feature is simply showcasing virtual desktops and how you can switch between them.
Basically when you mean to switch between desktops on Windows 10 is that you can change between different workspaces on your Windows 10 desktop, and in this way, you will be able to go to different apps, browsers, or any other tool that is opened in one of the workspaces and you can switch to that selected workspace in less than a quick click.
In this article we will be going over different methods and ways that one can use in order to easily switch between different desktops in Windows 10.
How to Switch Virtual Desktop in Windows 10 Operating System
Follow the below instructions which will showcase you the different methods that you can use in order to easily switch between any workspace on your Windows 10 desktop.
Method 1 – Shortcut Method
You can use the shortcuts with your keyboard directly in order to switch between virtual desktops.
- Windows + CTRL + Left button
- Use this command to switch to the left desktop
- Windows + CTRL + Right button
- Use this command to switch to the right desktop
Method 2 – Second Keyboard Shortcut Method
As expected of Microsoft there is a second shortcut method which is to use Windows + Tab command in order to glance at the virtual desktop active on your device. Once you see your preferred desktop then click on it and switch to it.
WINDOWS + TAB
Method 3 – Use Taskbar Option to switch between Virtual Desktops
Click on the scroll button on the Task bar as shown in the image, clicking on it will open your virtual desktop which you can switch between with just a click.
Method 4 – Touchpad Finger Gestures
Open your settings and go to Touchpad from which you can learn the finger gestures required to switch between desktops and multitasking view easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch Desktops on Windows 10
Though this feature is also available on Windows 7 as well but now all across the globe all the Windows-based devices are now on Windows 10 and Microsoft has stopped their updates on any older versions, but the above method would also work if you want to use it on Windows 7.
Why should I use the Desktop switching feature on Windows 10?
People who work a lot of computers and laptops basically on any Windows device have to switch between their workspaces for productivity. This is why following this method would help all the users to increase their efficiency by easily switching between any of the workspace that you would like to go on to.
My MousePad finger gesture does not work to switch between Windows 10?
Most of the time this happens because your mouse pad touch pad settings are disabled. In order to make this work again you have to go to your Laptop settings for the touchpad and then enable the finger touch gestures.
My Windows 10 desktop switch pops up all the time, how to disable it?
This manual error and inconvenience has been seen in many people while they simply try to browse their web or any application or tool. And just a few taps or touches in the mouse touch pad can easily activate the windows desktop switching. But this is no way to disable it, so the only option would be for you to disable your mouse touchpad finger gestures.