How to Switch Between Virtual Desktops in Windows 10


Task View is a virtual desktop manager in Windows 10 that allows you quickly switch between all of your open apps on multiple virtual desktops. Create custom additional desktops to group apps for productivity, entertainment, or whatever you choose. This makes multitasking and organizing your opened apps much easier.

Virtual Desktops exist to help you visually and cognitively separate different tasks on your PC. They can also be handy when doing presentations – enabling you to prepare demos on different desktops.

This tutorial will show you how to switch between virtual desktops for your account in Windows 10.


Contents

  • Option One: Switch Between Virtual Desktops using Keyboard Shortcut
  • Option Two: Switch Between Virtual Desktops in Task View
  • Option Three: Switch Between Virtual Desktops using Touchpad Gestures






OPTION ONE

Switch Between Virtual Desktops using Keyboard Shortcut


1 Press the Win + Ctrl + Left Arrow (previous) or Win + Ctrl + Right Arrow (next) keys to switch to the previous or next virtual desktop.






OPTION TWO

Switch Between Virtual Desktops in Task View


1 Open Task View (Win+Tab).

2 Click/tap on the virtual desktop you want to switch to. (see screenshot below)

Switch Between Virtual Desktops in Windows 10-switch_between_virtual_desktops_in_task_view.png






OPTION THREE

Switch Between Virtual Desktops using Touchpad Gestures


This option is only available if your PC has a supported touchpad.


1 If you have your three-finger gestures or four-finger gestures for the touchpad set to Switch desktops and show desktop, then you can use the following gestures below:

  • 3/4-finger swipe up: Open Task View (Win+Tab).
  • 3/4-finger swipe left: Switch to a previous virtual desktop.
  • 3/4-finger swipe right: Switch to a next virtual desktop.
  • 3/4-finger swipe down: Show current desktop.

Switch Between Virtual Desktops in Windows 10-virtual_desktops_three-finger_gestures.png Switch Between Virtual Desktops in Windows 10-virtual_desktops_four-finger_gestures.png


That's it,
Shawn