How to Use the Windows Task View for Virtual Desktops

Virtual desktops can greatly enhance your productivity by allowing you to organize your workspaces and switch between them seamlessly. Windows Task View is a built-in feature in Windows 10 that enables you to utilize virtual desktops effectively. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to use the Windows Task View for virtual desktops on your Windows computer.

Prerequisites

• Windows 10 operating system

Steps

1. Accessing Task View: There are multiple ways to access Task View.

   • Method 1: Click the Task View button on the Taskbar. It looks like two overlapping rectangles.
   • Method 2: Press the Win + Tab keys simultaneously on your keyboard.

2. Creating a Virtual Desktop: Once you have accessed Task View, you can create a new virtual desktop.

   • In the bottom right corner of the screen, click on the "New desktop" button represented by a plus (+) icon. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Win + Ctrl + D to create a new virtual desktop.

3. Switching Between Virtual Desktops: After creating multiple virtual desktops, you can easily switch between them.

   • To switch using Task View, click on the desired desktop thumbnail in the Task View interface.
   • Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Win + Ctrl + the left or right arrow key to switch between adjacent virtual desktops.

4. Moving Windows Between Virtual Desktops: Task View also allows you to move open windows between virtual desktops.

   • Enter Task View and locate the window you wish to move.
   • Right-click on the window and choose the "Move to" option. Then, select the target virtual desktop from the submenu.
   • Alternatively, you can drag and drop the window from one desktop thumbnail to another within Task View.

5. Closing a Virtual Desktop: If you no longer need a virtual desktop, you can close it.

   • Access Task View and hover your mouse cursor over the thumbnail of the virtual desktop you want to close.
   • Click on the small "X" icon that appears in the top right corner of the thumbnail.
   • Be cautious when closing a virtual desktop, as it will close all the open windows and applications within that desktop.

6. Keyboard Shortcuts for Task View:

   • Win + Tab: Access Task View.
   • Win + Ctrl + D: Create a new virtual desktop.
   • Win + Ctrl + F4: Close the current virtual desktop.
   • Win + Ctrl + the left or right arrow keys: Switch between virtual desktops.

7. Additional Task View Options: Task View offers additional options to enhance your virtual desktop experience.

   • Windows Snapping: While in Task View, you can use the Snap feature to organize and resize windows within each virtual desktop.
   • Timeline: Task View integrates with Windows Timeline, allowing you to view and manage your recent activities across virtual desktops.

Congratulations! You now have a comprehensive understanding of how to use the Windows Task View for virtual desktops. Organizing your workspaces becomes much more efficient with this feature, enabling you to multitask and stay organized. Experiment with different layouts and shortcuts to find the workflow that suits you best.