How to Add a New Virtual Desktop in Windows 10

In Windows 10 the taskbar has a new icon named ‘Task view’ that allows you to add or remove virtual desktops from the operating system.

A virtual desktop in Windows 10 is another instance of the desktop screen that can be used to open different programs or windows. You can think of virtual desktops in Windows 10 as multiple home screens in Android smartphones that can be added to have more space to accommodate more apps.

Although all the virtual desktops added to Windows 10 display the same wallpaper and the shortcut icons you can run a separate program or open a separate window on each virtual desktop and work on them independently. For example you can open an MS Excel file on one virtual desktop and Calculator on the other at the same time to make calculations.

With different applications or windows opened in different virtual desktops the hassle of minimizing the objects and maximizing them when needed is eliminated.

To add a new virtual desktop in Windows 10 you must follow the steps given below:

1. Use a Microsoft or local account to log on to your Windows 10 PC.
2. Once you are on the desktop window click the Task view icon available adjacent to the Search box (for Cortana) in the taskbar.

3. After the screen gets dimmed click New desktop from the bottom-right corner of the window to add a new virtual desktop.

4. You can switch between the virtual desktops by clicking the Task view icon from the taskbar and then by clicking the virtual desktop that you want to work on.

5. To test go to one virtual desktop and double-click any shortcut icon to open its corresponding program or window.

6. Then go to the second virtual desktop (by click the Task view icon and then clicking the icon of the second virtual desktop).
7. Notice that the program/window you opened in the previous virtual desktop is still closed here and you can open another program or window and can work on both the programs/windows on the two desktops simultaneously by switching between them as needed.

How to Delete a Virtual Desktop from Windows 10

To delete a virtual desktop from Windows 10:

1. Click the Task view icon from the taskbar from your Windows 10 desktop screen.
2. Hover the mouse pointer over the virtual desktop icon that you want to delete.
3. Finally click the X button within the red square present at the top-right corner of the icon to delete the virtual desktop.