Let’s get something straight, virtual desktops is nothing new, Windows has had virtual desktops (as an add-on) for years using with the Windows XP PowerToys. Other operating systems also had virtual desktops manager for years as well, but now Windows 10 is getting a native experience, and today Microsoft shares a little of information on the idea behind this new feature and announces a few new improvements coming soon.
According to the software giant, the Windows team had various goals in mind to bring users a feature that allows them to get the best experience on a single screen, using multiple unlimited virtual desktops.
- Give you more desktop space to group related windows
- Help you quickly locate and switch to any window or group of windows
- Let you easily re-organize your groups and move windows as tasks evolve
- Keep you in control of the degree of separation between your grouped windows
Insiders running Windows 10 Technical Preview have been testing the feature and sending a lot feedback for quite some time. Now, thanks to Windows Insiders recommendation, Microsoft is taking actions and improving the feature. Among the changes, Microsoft will be adding a method for dragging any window to the desktop from the Task View, and there will be a new feature that will let users to drag a thumbnail from the Task View to the “new desktop” button to create a new virtual desktop.
List of keyboard shortcuts for virtual desktops
- WIN + CTRL + LEFT/RIGHT: Switch to previous or next desktop
- WIN + CTRL + D: Create a new desktop
- WIN + CTRL + F4: Close the current desktop
- WIN + TAB: Launch task view
Also, according to Microsoft the implementation of virtual desktops is a little complicated, as such the software giant is going to help Windows Insiders on how virtual desktops windows are represented on the taskbar. The company says that there are those who expect to see only the windows open for the current desktop and those who like to see all their open windows in the taskbar, regardless in which desktop they are running.
The software giant believes that both options are necessary and that is why both options will be part of Windows 10 once launches later this summer. However, Microsoft is finding quite difficult deciding, which should be the default option, because of this during the rest of the Technical Preview trial users will see a new toaster notification asking for recommendations.
Source Microsoft
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].