Windows 10 multiple desktop layouts

Microsoft's latest OS, Windows 11, brings a fresh design, improvements to Microsoft Teams and forthcoming support for Android apps, among other features. And many of these new features are useful for productivity and multitasking, whether you need help organizing files for school or have to do three things at once for work.

These features include virtual desktops, which let you organize different workspaces on one monitor, and Snap Layouts, which allow you to structure your screen for maximum multitasking. We'll break down how to use the new features to boost your productivity and make the most of your Windows 11 upgrade. 

Here's what you need to know if you're unsure about upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10, how to check your computer's compatibility requirements and how to download Microsoft's latest OS now. 

Multiple virtual desktops

Having multiple desktops on Windows 11 eliminates the hassle of clicking through minimized windows and tabs. Instead, you can create separate virtual desktops. So if you wanted to, you could make separate desktops for work, school and personal use, for example -- and customize their backgrounds. (In Windows 10, you can create virtual desktops, but you can't give them different backgrounds.)

The feature is similar to the MacOS virtual desktop feature. If you scroll over Task View on the Taskbar or hit the Windows key plus Tab, you'll see all of your existing desktops that you can toggle between, or you can create a new one. 

Snap Layouts on Windows 11

Snap Layouts, a new feature in Windows 11, lets you better organize apps and windows by grouping them together. It's a bit like how you can group your apps on Android and iOS, or using Split Screen on a Mac. Say you're researching a trip, and have a group of apps or websites open related to that search. With Snap Layouts, you can keep all of that information nicely organized on your screen. 

To use it, hover your mouse over a window's maximize button, choose a layout that you like and click on a zone in that layout to snap that window into place. Selecting other windows individually places them into other zones in that layout. For example, you might want to group four open windows in a square pattern.

Then you can easily minimize or maximize the whole Snap Group from the taskbar, eliminating the need to search through and open multiple windows. And any Snap Groups you've made will stay in place if you dock or undock your computer. 

For more, check out how to get Windows 11 and the best new features in the OS. You can also find out if your computer is compatible with Windows 11 or if you need a new laptop.

Microsoft was a little late to the virtual desktop game, but Windows 10 users can take advantage of the feature, albeit a bare-bones one. You can create multiple virtual desktops, move apps between them, and easily keep your work and play apps separated.

It's a great way to ensure you stay focused, with a little bit of effort on your part, you can really enhance your Windows 10 virtual desktop experience.

Here are three handy Windows 10 virtual desktop tips to boost your productivity.

1. Move Windows Between Virtual Desktops

To move windows to virtual desktops, do the following:

1. Click the Task View button.
2. Right-click the window you want to move.
3. You can then select where you want to move it to. You can also create a new desktop to move the window to if you prefer.

If you prefer to use the drag-and-drop method, while in Task View, go the Desktop with the window you want to move. Drag the window down to the Desktop icons and drag it into the desktop you want to move it to.

You can see this process in action in the video below:

2. Close Apps in Task View

You don't actually have to switch to a specific desktop to close an app. You can efficiently get rid of apps simply by going into Task View and hovering over the Virtual Desktop with the app you want to close.

Don't click on the Desktop. Just move your mouse up to the app tiles that are visible and click the X in the top right corner of the app you want to close.

3. Personalize Your Desktops with Virtual Desktop Enhancer

If you're using your virtual desktops to create a functional division of your apps or to stay focused, it would be great to be able to name each desktop in the Task View so that you can easily see at a glance how you've divided up your apps.

While this feature is expected in the next update, there is a third party app you can use right now to customize your virtual desktops quite significantly.

The Virtual Desktop Enhancer makes it possible to assign names to each desktop, assign a unique wallpaper to each desktop, and also attach custom keyboard shortcuts to help you interact with your virtual desktops.

Download:Virtual Desktop Enhancer for Windows 10 (Free)

They have some pretty straightforward instructions you can follow to install and use the program. You'll probably have to install Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015 first, and this will only work with the 64-bit version of Windows 10.

Once you've installed that, you can download and extract the Virtual Desktop Enhancer anywhere on your computer. There are only two files you really need to interact with.

The first, Settings.ini, allows you to enter in all your customizations. You can open it with Windows native text editor, Notepad.

To label your virtual desktops, scroll down to the section DesktopNames. You'll find it pre-populated with 10 desktops. After the =enter the name of the desktop you want to use.

Unfortunately, this won't change the label in the dock in Task View, but when you open up a desktop, that name will flash on the screen.

All other elements that can be customized are included in the settings file. A list of the various settings and possible keyboard shortcuts that you can customize can be found in the Virtual Desktop Enhancer help pages.

After you've made all your changes, close and save the file. You can then run the Virtual Desktop Enhancer application (it's an EXE file.) Double-click the app to open it and your changes should take effect.

More Windows 10 Virtual Desktop Tips

Windows 10 virtual desktop is a great way to separate your business environment from your home life. Granting just a little space between the two can help you keep your computer tidy, making you more productive in the long run.

Setting a different background for each virtual desktop is one of the best options, and helps you keep track of which virtual desktop you're working on. Labeling your virtual desktops has the same effect.

If you're getting into Windows 10 virtual desktops, check out a few more ways you can improve the virtual desktop experience.

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