Switching between desktops in Windows 11 is pretty handy — especially when you want to keep your work, gaming, or browsing separate without losing your mind trying to organize everything. The shortcuts really do save time, but sometimes they behave a bit weird, or you forget what to press exactly. It’s kind of crazy how much a small keystroke can boost your workflow, especially if you use multiple virtual desktops a lot.
How to Switch Between Desktops in Windows 11 Shortcut
First off, pressing Windows key + Tab opens up the Task View. That’s like the dashboard that shows all your desktops and open apps at once. Really useful to get a visual, especially if you’re the kind of person who forgets which desktop had what.
Step 1: Open Task View
Just press Windows + Tab. If you’re on a laptop and using a smaller keyboard, sometimes this command doesn’t respond right away, or it takes a second — on one setup it worked immediately, on another, I had to do it twice. Not sure why it’s sometimes so sluggish, but rebooting might help if it’s being stubborn.
Step 2: Add a New Desktop
In Task View, you’ll see a big button that says “New Desktop” or just a plus icon. Click that, and boom, you get a fresh desktop. Makes separating work stuff from personal browsing a breeze. Sometimes, opening a new desktop via keyboard shortcut (Win + Ctrl + D) creates it instantly without going through Task View, which is faster if you’re just trying to pop one open quickly.
Step 3: Switch Desktops
This is where the magic happens. Hit Ctrl + Windows + Right Arrow or Ctrl + Windows + Left Arrow. On some machines, it’s a tad inconsistent — sometimes works instantly, other times you need to press it a couple of times. It’s like flipping pages — quick and smooth when it works, but sometimes it gets stuck. If nothing happens, make sure your keyboard shortcut is enabled in Settings.
Step 4: Close a Desktop
In Task View, hover over the desktop thumbnail you want to close and tap the “X” button. Dialogs or apps remain open, just moved to another desktop, so don’t worry about losing unfinished work. Sometimes, I’ve noticed that closing desktops can lag or require a second click, especially if lots of apps are running.
Step 5: Return to Main Desktop
The quick way? Hit Ctrl + Windows + D twice. It’s kind of weird, but this shortcut toggles back to your original desktop, like back to the first page of a notebook. Use it if you want to reset your view or just forget what desktop you’re on. Sometimes, after multiple switches, this command gets a bit wonky — a reboot might settle it.
Once all that is done, you’re basically a desktop ninja. Switching in Windows 11 isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty close once you get the hang of it. The key is practice — muscle memory makes the shortcuts smoother over time. If these shortcuts aren’t working right out of the box, check your keyboard settings or update Windows — sometimes, updates fix weird glitches that mess with shortcuts.
Tips for Switching Between Desktops in Windows 11 Shortcut
- Practice the shortcuts regularly: Muscle memory makes this way smoother, especially when multitasking. Over time it just clicks.
- Name your desktops: Right-click on a desktop thumbnail inside Task View and choose Rename. It’ll help keep things sane if you have a bunch (e.g., “Work,” “Gaming,” “Research”).
- Use different backgrounds: Set different wallpapers for each desktop—helps you recognize them at a glance. Yeah, Windows lets you do this in Settings > Personalization > Backgrounds.
- Group similar stuff: Dedicate a desktop to certain activities—like one for work, one for entertainment—to stay super focused.
- Explore more features: Windows offers additional tools like Snap Assist and timeline features that work alongside desktop switching. They might give that extra edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many virtual desktops can I create in Windows 11?
You can make as many as your system can handle — no real limit. Basically, unlimited. Just don’t expect a sluggish response if you pile them all up, though.
Can I move apps between desktops?
Yep. Drag and drop works in Task View, or right-click on an app and choose Move to. Not sure why Microsoft made this so clunky sometimes, but it’s functional enough.
Do virtual desktops impact system performance?
Minimal impact. They mainly organize apps rather than duplicating them. Your system won’t slow to a crawl unless you have tons of desktops open with tons of apps running.
Are there other shortcuts for desktops?
Sure, like Alt + Tab for switching between apps, but for desktops specifically, the Ctrl + Windows + (Left/Right Arrow) shortcut is dead simple.
Can I have different settings on each desktop?
Not really. System-wide settings stay the same, but app-specific settings—like your browser’s theme or your chat app preferences—can definitely differ per desktop, which is kinda cool.
Summary
- Open Task View (Win + Tab) to get the lay of the land.
- Add new desktops via click in Task View or Win + Ctrl + D.
- Switch desktops with Ctrl + Windows + Left/Right Arrow.
- Close desktops in Task View by clicking the “X”.
- Go back to your original desktop with Ctrl + Windows + D twice.
Hopefully, this helps someone avoid a lot of clicking and fumbling around. Windows 11’s desktop switching isn’t perfect, but it’s better than不得不一直用鼠标切换太多了。 Practice makes perfect — or at least less frustrating.