How to use multiple desktops on Windows 11

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-use-multiple-desktops-on-windows-11/ · Checked October 2026 · Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

3 of 6 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Windows

Shown on

Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

Real screenshots

3 of 6 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Task view

   Click the Task view button on the taskbar, next to the search box, or press Windows + Tab. Your open windows appear above, and your desktops in a bar at the bottom.

   Done

2. 

   Create a new desktop

   Click New desktop, the empty tile with a plus, in the bar at the bottom. Or press Windows + Ctrl + D at any time. You land on an empty desktop.

   Done

3. Switch between desktops

   Press Windows + Ctrl + Right Arrow or Left Arrow, or click the desktop you want in Task view.

   Done

4. 

   Name a desktop and give it its own background

   In Task view, right-click a desktop and choose Rename or Choose background.

   Done

5. Move a window to another desktop

   In Task view, drag the window onto the desktop you want.

   Done

6. Close a desktop

   In Task view, point at the desktop and click the x. Its windows move to the neighbouring desktop. Nothing is closed.

   Done

About this guide

Multiple desktops let you keep separate sets of windows, for example one for work and one for private things. All your programs keep running. Only what you see changes.

The key pictures are diagrams; the other pictures are screenshots.

Good to know

The desktops stay after a restart, but the programs have to be opened again.

On one desktop, Snap layouts arrange windows side by side: how to split the screen on Windows 11.

In short: Windows + Ctrl + D for a new desktop, Windows + Ctrl + arrows to switch, Windows + Tab to manage.