How to Fast-Switch to Your Windows Desktop

Use Windows key shortcuts to become a power user

What to Know

• Easiest: Use the Win+D shortcut to display and hide the desktop.
• Alternatively, enable the Task View button to display thumbnails of windows and virtual desktops.
• Also easy: Right-click the taskbar and select Show Desktop.

This article explains several ways to quickly access the desktop in Windows 10 and how to create virtual desktops.

How to Display and Hide the Windows 10 Desktop

Use the Win+D shortcut to display and hide the desktop. This command forces Windows to switch to the desktop immediately and minimize all open windows to the taskbar. Use the same shortcut to bring back those open windows.

This shortcut works on all versions of Windows back to at least XP.

How to Create Virtual Desktops

Windows 10 includes virtual desktops, which offer more than one version of your workspace. One good use of virtual desktops is to separate professional and personal work.

Press Win+Ctrl+D to add a new virtual desktop. Repeat the button command to create more. Press the Win+Ctrl keys plus the left and right arrow keys to switch between screens.

How to Display the Task View to See All Virtual Desktops

Press the Task View button on the toolbar to open a full-screen overlay that displays thumbnails of each virtual desktop and apps that support timeline history. This feature was new in the Windows 10 18.09 release.

If you don’t see the Task View button, right-click the taskbar and select Show Task View button.

The Task View button looks like a filmstrip next to the Cortana icon on the taskbar by default. In Task View, you can find apps and web pages you previously browsed. You can also delete, move items to, and add new virtual desktops.

Windows switch desktop hotkey

An AutoHotkey script for Windows that lets a user switch virtual desktops by pressing CapsLock and a number row key at the sime time (e.g. CapsLock + 2 to switch to Desktop 2). It also provides other features, such as customizing the key combinations, creation/deletion of desktops by hotkey, etc. (see Hotkeys section below).

Action	Keys
Switch to virtual desktop 1, 2, etc. (you can also use the Numpad)	CapsLock + 1 CapsLock + 2 . CapsLock + 9
Switch back to the last desktop used	CapsLock + Tab
Switch to the virtual desktop on the left (auto-cycles from the first to the last desktop)	CapsLock + A CapsLock + P
Switch to the virtual desktop on the right (auto-cycles from the last to the first desktop)	CapsLock + S CapsLock + N
Create a new virtual desktop	CapsLock + C
Delete the current virtual desktop	CapsLock + D
Move the current window to another desktop, then switch to it Keys Q , W , etc. correspond to 1st, 2nd, etc. desktops	CapsLock + Q CapsLock + W . CapsLock + O
Move the current window to the previous or the next desktop, then switch to it	CapsLock + ← CapsLock + →

Note, CapsLock continues to function normally even when it is used as a modifier. But you can make the button do more useful things such as open overview, or disable it altogether.

If you’d like, you can enable the alternate configuration, to use Ctrl + Alt as hotkey combination keys instead of CapsLock (e.g. use Ctrl + Alt + 1 to switch to the Desktop 1, just as you would use CapsLock + 1 ).

Additional hotkeys, such as pinning a window or app on all workspaces, can be added as well.

You can also customize the hotkeys and actions as described in the section below.

This script creates more convenient hotkeys for switching virtual desktops in Windows 10. I built this to better mirror the mapping I use on linux (with dwm), and it’s always annoyed me that Windows does not have better hotkey support for this feature (for instance, there’s no way to go directly to a desktop by number).

Install AutoHotkey v1.1 or later, then run the desktop_switcher.ahk script (open with AutoHotkey if prompted). You can disable the switching animation by opening «Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows» and then unselecting the checkmark «Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing».

Notes about Windows 1809/1903≤ Updates

This project relies partly on VirtualDesktopAccessor.dll (for moving windows to other desktops). This binary is included in this repository for convenience, and was recently updated to work with the 1809/1903≤ updates.

This may cause instability for users running older versions of Windows. If this is the case, download the older DLL, rename it to VirtualDesktopAccessor.dll , and overwrite the previous DLL.

If a future Windows Update breaks the DLL again and updating your files from this repository doesn’t work, you could try building the DLL yourself (given that it was since updated by its’ creators).

To change the key mappings, modify the user_config.ahk script and then run desktop_switcher.ahk (program will restart if it’s already running). Note, ! corresponds to Alt , + is Shift , # is Win , and ^ is Ctrl . A more detailed description of hotkeys can be found here. The syntax of the config file is HOTKEY::ACTION . Here are some examples of the customization options.

Single line of code example	Meaning
!n::switchDesktopToRight()	Hotkey: Alt + N Action: Switch to the desktop on the right
#!space::switchDesktopToRight()	Hotkey: Win + Alt + Space Action: Switch to the desktop on the right
CapsLock & n::switchDesktopToRight()	Hotkey: Capslock + N Action: Switch to the desktop on the right (& is necessary when using a non-modifier key such as Capslock)
!n::switchDesktopToRight()	Hotkey: Alt + N Action: Switch to the desktop on the right
^space::send, #	Hotkey: Ctrl + Space Action: Open Desktop Manager by sending Win + Tab

A more detailed description of hotkeys can be found here: AutoHotkey docs.
You can find the explanation for the Desktop Manager hotkey here.
After any changes to the configuration the program needs to be closed and opened again.

Running on boot

You can make the script run on every boot with either of these methods.

Simple (Non-administrator method)

1. Press Win + R , enter shell:startup , then click OK
2. Create a shortcut to the desktop_switcher.ahk file here

Advanced (Administrator method)

Windows prevents hotkeys from working in windows that were launched with higher elevation than the AutoHotKey script (such as CMD or Powershell terminals that were launched as Administrator). As a result, Windows Desktop Switcher hotkeys will only work within these windows if the script itself is Run as Administrator , due to the way Windows is designed.

You can do this by creating a scheduled task to invoke the script at logon. You may use ‘Task Scheduler’, or create the task in powershell as demonstrated.

The task is now registered and will run on the next logon, and can be viewed or modified in ‘Task Scheduler’.

How to prevent cycling of desktop switching when end desktop or start desktop is reached?

Solution is described in #66.

How to create a specific number of desktops after the application is started?

Solution is described in #69

• Thanks to Ciantic/VirtualDesktopAccessor (DLL) and sdias/win-10-virtual-desktop-enhancer (DLL usage samples), our code can now move windows between desktops.

To see debug messages, download SysInternals DebugView.

How to use multiple desktops in Windows 10

Windows 10’s virtual desktops feature is super helpful if you’re working on a bunch of different things.

If you’re a single-monitor user — or even if you’re not — multiple virtual desktops can be very handy. Especially if you’re now working from home for the foreseeable future due to the coronavirus pandemic and juggling different projects on the same computer. Whether you’re a longtime Windows 10 ($170 at Best Buy) user or have only recently upgraded after support for Windows 7 ended earlier this year, multiple desktops are a super useful feature.

The Task View pane in Windows 10 allows you to add an unlimited number of virtual desktops quickly and easily. You can manage the view of your virtual desktop, and move applications to different desktops, show windows on all desktops or close pages on a selected desktop.

How to add a desktop in Windows 10

Get more out of your tech

To add a virtual desktop, open up the new Task View pane by clicking the Task View button (two overlapping rectangles) on the taskbar, or by pressing the Windows Key + Tab. In the Task View pane, click New desktop to add a virtual desktop. If you have two or more desktops already open, the «Add a desktop» button will appear as a gray tile with a plus symbol. You can also quickly add a desktop without entering the Task View pane by using the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Ctrl + D.

How to switch between desktops

To switch between virtual desktops, open the Task View pane and click on the desktop you want to switch to. You can also quickly switch desktops without going into the Task View pane by using the keyboard shortcuts Windows Key + Ctrl + Left Arrow and Windows Key + Ctrl + Right Arrow.

You can add an unlimited number of virtual desktops — we stopped at 368.

Read more from TechRepublic: 20 pro tips to make Windows 10 work the way you want (free PDF)

Move windows between desktops

To move a window from one desktop to another, you first have to open up the Task View pane and then hover over the desktop containing the window you want to move. The windows on that desktop will pop up; find the window you want to move, right-click it, and go to Move to and choose the desktop you want to move the window to. You can also drag and drop windows — grab the window you want to move and drag it into the desired desktop.

Close a desktop

To close a virtual desktop, open up the Task View pane and hover over the desktop you want to close until a small X appears in the upper right corner. Click the X to close the desktop. You can also close desktops without going into the Task View pane by using the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Ctrl + F4 (this will close the desktop you’re currently on).

Windows 10: Change shortcut keys to switch between desktops [duplicate]

In Windows 10, the shortcut keys for switching virtual desktop are ctrl + win + right / left arrow . I’d like to simplify it, by changing it to ctrl + right or left arrow key only. How can I do this?

3 Answers 3

AutoHotkey is a great program for doing this exact type of thing. It is an very useful program for remapping keyboard keys, letting you set up hotkeys, and automating tasks. Here are the steps to set this up:

1. Download AutoHotkey (http://www.autohotkey.com/) and install it.
2. Right-click on your desktop > New > Autohotkey Script (name it whatever you want).
3. Right-click, Edit Script.
4. Paste the following text under the already-present text:

#NoTrayIcon ^Right::^#Right ^Left::^#Left

1. Save and run the script to test its functionality.
2. If it performs as expected, copy the script into the startup folder* so that it will run every time your computer starts.

Optionally, you can compile the script to run as a standalone .exe that can be run on other computers that don’t have AutoHotkey installed. To do this, right-click the script file, and click «Compile Script.»

*To access the startup folder in Windows 10, open «Run» (either press Windows Key + R, or search for it in the start menu) and type either (without quotes): «shell:startup» (to run the script for just the current user) or «shell:common startup» (to run it for all users). Paste it in the folder that opens.

How to use multiple desktops in Windows 10

Source: Windows Central

Windows 10, now enjoying the October 2020 Update, continues to make it extremely easy to set up and use multiple virtual desktops in Windows 10. Multiple desktops are great for keeping unrelated, ongoing projects organized, or for quickly hiding from the boss that browser game you can’t stop playing. And if you’ve not yet upgraded to Windows 10, be sure to have a look at our collection of the best Windows laptop options with the latest OS.

Ready to tackle the day with multiple desktops? Let’s go!

How to create a new virtual desktop in Windows 10

Creating a new virtual desktop can be done with a couple of clicks or with a keyboard shortcut.

Click the Task View button in your taskbar.

• You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.

Click New Desktop. (It’s located in the top left corner of your screen.)

Source: Windows Central

That’s it. Easy, right? There’s also a Ctrl + Windows key + D keyboard shortcut that will immediately create a new virtual desktop.

How to switch between virtual desktops in Windows 10

Now that you’ve created a new virtual desktop, you can quickly switch a few different ways.

Click the Task View button in your taskbar.

• You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.

Click Desktop 2 or any other virtual desktop you’ve created.

Source: Windows Central

You can switch back to your original desktop at any time by following the above steps but choosing Desktop 1. There’s also a Ctrl + Windows key + Left and right arrow keyboard shortcut that you can use to switch between virtual desktops. Using a device with a touchpad? You can perform a four-finger swipe left or right to switch between virtual desktops.

How to move windows between virtual desktops in Windows 10

There are two ways you can move windows between virtual desktops. First, you can click and drag windows; second, you can right-click the window and use the menu.

Click-and-drag method

Click the Task View button in your taskbar.

• You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.

Click and hold the window you want to move.

Drag and release the window on an alternate desktop.

Source: Windows Central

Right-click menu method

Click the Task View button in your taskbar.

• You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.

Right-click on the window you’d like to move to another desktop.

Source: Windows Central

Click the desktop to which you’d like to move the window.

Source: Windows Central

You can move windows back and forth between desktops to your heart’s content.

How to duplicate windows across virtual desktops

Certain windows or collections of windows from one app can be duplicated across all virtual desktops.

Click the Task View button in your taskbar.

• You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.

Right-click an active window.

Source: Windows Central

Click Show windows from this app on all desktops to duplicate all windows from one app.

Source: Windows Central

How to remove a virtual desktop in Windows 10

Want to get back to just one desktop? No problem.

Click the Task View button in your taskbar.

• You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.

Hover your cursor over the desktop you’d like to remove.

Click the X in the top-right corner of the desktop icon.

Source: Windows Central

Open and running windows in a desktop you close will be moved back to your original desktop. You can also use the Ctrl + Windows key + F4 keyboard shortcut to immediately close the virtual desktop you’re currently viewing.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

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