How to enable Virtual Desktops rename option on Windows 10 20H1

The latest preview for Windows 10 20H1 includes a new option to finally rename virtual desktops, and here's how you can enable it now.

Windows 10 option to rename virtual desktops
Windows 10 option to rename virtual desktops

On Windows 10, starting with build 18922 (part of the 20H1 update), Microsoft is testing some new features, including a new Cortana app and the ability to finally rename virtual desktops within the Task View experience.

While the ability to create virtual desktops to better organize and group your tasks has been around for years, even on Windows 10, each desktop still uses generic names like “Desktop 1” and “Desktop 2,” making it confusing to distinguish between each virtual space. However, it appears that this is going to change as Twitter user Albacore found out that the next version of the OS will include an option to rename virtual desktops.

The feature isn’t yet available for anyone, but if you’re running Windows 10 build 18922, there’s a way to force it to appear in your installation using a third-party tool called “mach2” from Rafael Rivera.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to force the option to rename virtual desktops to anything you want on Windows 10 20H1.

How to enable Virtual Desktops rename option on Windows 10

Use these steps to enable the option to rename virtual desktops on Windows 10 20H1:

Warning: This is a third-party application, and it’s offered without any warranty. Although it should work as advertised, you should use it only at your own risk. Also, there’s a chance that Windows Defender Antivirus may identify this app as malicious, but according to the author, it’s a false positive.
  1. Open this GitHub website.

  2. Download the latest mach2 zip folder.

  3. Double-click the zip folder.

    Quick tip: You’ll need to download the zip folder that correspond to your system architecture (x86 or x64), you can check the version of Windows 10 that you’re running on Settings > System > About.
  4. Click the Extract all button from the “Compressed Folder Tools” ribbon.

  5. Click the Extract button.

    Extract zip files on Windows 10
    Extract zip files on Windows 10
  6. Copy the path to the folder.

  7. Open Start.

  8. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  9. Type the following command to navigate to the mach2 folder and press Enter:

    cd C:YOURFOLDERPATHDownloadsmach2_0.3.0.0_x64

    In the command remember to change the path to the folder with your path.

  10. Type the following command to enable the Settings header and press Enter

    mach2 enable 19412047

    Enable Virtual Desktop rename option on Windows 10 20H1
    Enable Virtual Desktop rename option on Windows 10 20H1
  11. Restart your computer.

Once you complete the steps, click the Task View button, and when creating a second virtual desktop, click the default name will allow you to rename the desktop to anything you want.

Rename virtual desktop option on Windows 10 20H1
Rename virtual desktop option on Windows 10 20H1

Although Microsoft is working to introduce an option to rename virtual desktops, it’s unclear if the feature will ever make it to final version of Windows 10.

About the author

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].