# Windows 11: virtual desktops – definition and tutorial By using virtual desktops, you can **restore order** in busy Windows environments. In Windows 11, you can use virtual desktops via the “Active applications” icon in the taskbar or by pressing the corresponding key combination. ## What is the Windows “Virtual Desktop” feature? The “Virtual Desktop” feature in Windows 11 provides the option to simulate **additional desktops** on your current device. Each new virtual desktop behaves just like the user interface. You can create shortcuts to quick-launch programs or applications, watch a movie, or play games. Individual names can be assigned to desktops and you can even add a custom [wallpaper](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/how-to-change-desktop-background/ "How to change desktop background"). The tool is **available by default** from Windows 10 onwards. Prior Windows versions require additional software to use virtual desktops. --- ### Note Only the **desktop currently selected will be displayed**. So, you need to switch back and forth between the main desktop and the Windows 11 virtual desktops you have set up. --- Windows 11 virtual desktops are particularly interesting for power users who tend to **manage multiple tasks at the same time**. For example, you can use it to work on one virtual desktop, while a presentation or virtual meeting is in progress on yet another. Another advantage is that several different desktops **simplify the structuring of shortcuts**. --- ### Tip Not happy with the performance of your device? Read our Digital Guide to find out how to [make Windows 11 faster](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/speed-up-windows-11/), for example, by optimizing [Windows 11 autostart](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/windows-11-startup/). --- ## How to set up a Windows 11 virtual desktop The following guide provides step-by-step instructions to **add and set up** virtual desktops in Windows 11 and explains **how to switch between them**. ### Step 1: Call up Manager for Active Applications and Virtual Desktops Windows 11 comes with a built-in and active virtual desktop management tool by default. This makes it easy to manage active applications from the respective active interface. There are two ways to active it: 1. Click “**Active applications**” in the taskbar. 2. Use the key combination **\[Windows\] + \[Shift\]**. If the taskbar icon isn’t available, you’ll need to activate it first. To do this, right-click on the taskbar and select the menu item “**Taskbar**”. In the following menu, click the “Task view” entry slider to the right (“On”). [![Image: Windows 11: Taskbar menu item “Task view”](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/c/5/csm_windows-11-taskbar-menu-item-task-view_8221f549c8.webp "Windows 11: Taskbar menu item “Task view”")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/windows-11-taskbar-menu-item-task-view.png) Windows 11: Taskbar menu item “Task view”. ### Step 2: Create a new virtual desktop The tool displays two areas. In the upper corner, you will see **thumbnails of windows** that are currently open on your desktop. Select “X” to close the corresponding program. In the lower area, Windows 11 lists the (virtual) desktops. To create a new desktop, press the “**New desktop**” button. [![Image: Windows 11: Virtual desktops and active applications at a glance](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/9/2/csm_windows-11-virtual-desktops-and-active-applications-at-a-glance_aef89d7393.webp "Windows 11: Virtual desktops and active applications at a glance")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/windows-11-virtual-desktops-and-active-applications-at-a-glance.png) Windows 11: Virtual desktops and active applications at a glance. ### Step 3: Create Windows 11 virtual desktop Once you’ve created a new desktop, it will be listed in the “Active applications” overview. Windows 11 **automatically assigns numbers to identify the different surfaces**. The actual desktop is named “Desktop 1”; for all other desktops numbering is simply continued. However, you can edit the name of a virtual desktop by right-clicking on it and choosing “**Rename**”. [![Image: Rename virtual desktop in Windows 11](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/4/7/csm_rename-virtual-desktop-in-windows-11_d5015061c5.webp "Rename virtual desktop in Windows 11")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/rename-virtual-desktop-in-windows-11.png) Rename virtual desktop in Windows 11. To make a virtual desktop stand out more clearly from the standard desktop or all other virtual counterparts, you can set an individual background. To do this, right-click and press “**Choose background**”. [![Image: “Choose background” in Windows 11 desktop manager](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/5/6/csm_choose-background-in-windows-11-desktop-manager_02f6059c44.webp "“Choose background” in Windows 11 desktop manager")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/choose-background-in-windows-11-desktop-manager.png) “Choose background” in Windows 11 desktop manager. Once the basic configuration is in place, you can customize the interface to your liking. For example, you could create a set of **desktop shortcuts** that differ from those of your standard desktop. Or simply access **programs or windows** that should only run on the selected desktop. ## How to swap between your Windows 11 virtual desktops Virtual desktops are a convenient way to manage active applications and structure a user interface. **Switching between the different interfaces** is simple and fast, either via mouse click or using a key combination. **Desktop change via mouse click:** Call up the “**Active applications**” tool via the icon in the taskbar. In the list below, you can see an overview of all available desktops. Left-click the virtual Windows 11 desktop you wish to switch to. [![Image: Desktop selection in Windows 11](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/b/f/csm_desktop-selection-in-windows-11_72461f693f.webp "Desktop selection in Windows 11")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/desktop-selection-in-windows-11.png) Desktop selection in Windows 11. **Desktop change via keyboard shortcut:** An even faster way to toggle between your virtual desktops is using the key combination [**\[Ctrl\]**](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/ctrl-key/) + **\[Windows\] + \[Right\] or \[Left\]**. Use the arrow keys to select the next or the previous desktop from the list. --- ### Tip Be sure to create regular backups of your files to prevent data loss. One of the simplest ways to do so is using the [Windows 11 backup](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/windows-11-backup/) function available by default. You can use it to back up your entire system or individual files. --- This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/windows-11-virtual-desktop-set-up-and-management/](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/windows-11-virtual-desktop-set-up-and-management/) for AI/LLM consumption.