You can easily switch between your virtual desktops on Windows 11 using the Task View feature accessed with a simple keyboard shortcut.
Windows 11 allows you to use multiple "virtual desktops" to organize your open applications and improve multitasking. Think of these as having several distinct screenspaces you can quickly swap between, even if you only have one physical monitor.
The Primary Method: Using Windows Key + Tab
The most direct way to switch between these virtual desktops, as highlighted in the reference, involves a specific keyboard command:
- Press the Windows key + Tab.
This action opens Task View. Task View displays all your currently open application windows in the center, and at the bottom (or sometimes the top, depending on view settings), it shows thumbnails of your active virtual desktops.
To complete the switch after opening Task View:
- Click the desktop you want to switch to.
This instantly takes you to the selected virtual desktop, showing only the applications open on that 'screen'.
Managing Virtual Desktops
If you only see one desktop thumbnail in Task View, you might not have created additional ones yet. The reference mentions this:
- If you don't have a second desktop open, click the plus (+) icon labeled "New desktop" in the Task View window.
- Click the new Desktop thumbnail to open it immediately.
Once you have multiple desktops created, the Windows key + Tab shortcut combined with clicking the desired desktop becomes your primary tool for navigating between them.
Quick Steps to Switch Desktops
Here’s a summary of the steps:
- Press the Windows key + Tab on your keyboard.
- Task View opens, showing open apps and virtual desktops.
- Locate the row of virtual desktop thumbnails (usually at the bottom).
- Click the thumbnail of the desktop you wish to switch to.
This process helps you keep different projects or tasks organized on separate virtual screens, reducing clutter and improving workflow.
