How are you supposed to use extra desktops?

Mystere said:

Once again, it's likely that this is not feature complete. Microsoft uses Agile software methodology, which develops software in "sprints" based on features... as things go along they add more features. This is likely just the first set of functionality.

I wouldn't be surprised to discover that all the developers at MS have/use multiple monitors.

Presumably there will be changes, otherwise there isn't much point in asking for feedback. :)

Mystere said:

What does multiple monitors have to do with anything? I have 3 on my desktop (a 27" and 2 23"'s) and virtual desktops are still useful.

If MS developers are using multiple monitors, then like some people in this thread, they won't be able to grasp the value of virtual desktops (i.e. they've never needed virtual desktops, because they have multiple monitors).

It's just like Office 2003 was obviously developed on widescreen monitors because of the layout they chose for the main window and information panes.
They failed to take into account that most people were using 4:3 monitors.

Make them develop on a 15" laptop (or 13" Ultrabook) and they might get the idea.

I'm using 4 virtual desktops right now in W7.
Do you know why?
I don't have 4 monitors.

The developers experiences are of little importance to the design of Windows user interface. In major software projects like Windows the developers do not design the user interface and probably have little influence over it. This is done by designers and guided by user feedback, research, and usability testing. Many of the designers are well acquainted with Linux and the Mac which have long had multiple desktops. Microsoft receives vast numbers of feature requests, some well thought out and described.

Edit: I think the best explanation for why multiple desktops is in it's present state is simply that Windows 10 is not yet finished.

It looks like MS are trying to do something similar to GNOME's Activities & KDE's Workspaces.

Back in the 90s there were "Employee Written" virtual desktop utilities for OS/2 2.x. I used one of them for a while. It seemed to work fine until I had 3 or 4 screens going with a few windows in each. Then it would crash and all the windows would be clumped together. :)

To be fair though I may have had a machine a bit short on (edit) resources. New machines in stores often only had 4 or 8 MB back in those days. I had (edit) 12 MB at least when I tried the desktops out. But the CPU was probably only a 386. :)

Edit: But to answer the OP's question I grouped programs I used together on a desktop with windows sized so I didn't have to maximize or resize them. Just click an editor to paste from browser etc.. With everything on one desktop it can be funky to make sure every window can be clicked. I'm not that big on Alt Tab.