Voyage Technology Blog

Voyage Technology has been serving the Beaver Dam area since 1999, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Mac Transplants’ Guide to Virtual Desktops

Mac Transplants’ Guide to Virtual Desktops

A powerful feature built into Windows that can significantly enhance your daily workflow and organization: Virtual Desktops.

We often discuss how technology can be better leveraged for productivity. Many individuals, perhaps familiar with the "Spaces" feature on macOS from their personal devices, might be pleased to discover robust similar functionality within the Windows operating system. This feature, known as Virtual Desktops, is designed to help you manage your digital workspace more effectively.

In essence, whether you call them Spaces or Virtual Desktops, the goal is the same: to help you stay organized by separating tasks across a larger digital environment. This effectively expands your onscreen real estate without needing additional physical monitors, allowing for a more focused and less cluttered experience. Imagine dedicating one desktop to your communication tools, another to a specific client project, and a third to ongoing research. It's a simple way to bring order to complex workdays.

So, how can you harness the power of Virtual Desktops in Windows? Let's walk through the steps.

Creating and Accessing Your Virtual Desktops

The primary tool for managing Virtual Desktops in Windows is Task View. 

You can typically find its icon on the Taskbar—it often appears as two overlapping rectangles. Alternatively, the keyboard shortcut Win Key + Tab will also open Task View. Once Task View is active, you'll see an overview of all your open windows on your current desktop. To create an additional desktop environment, simply click the "+ New desktop" button, which is usually located in one of the corners.

Navigating Between Your Desktops

Switching between your created desktops is straightforward:

  • Open Task View and click on the thumbnail of the desktop you wish to access.
  • For quicker navigation, use the keyboard shortcuts: Win Key + Ctrl + Left Arrow Key to move to the desktop on the left, or Win Key + Ctrl + Right Arrow Key for the one on the right.

Managing Your Collection of Virtual Desktops

Task View is also your hub for organizing these environments:

  • Renaming desktops - While in Task View, you can often right-click on a desktop thumbnail to rename it for better clarity.
  • Organizing windows - Right-clicking on an application window within Task View reveals several useful options:
  • Snap - Quickly arrange windows to the left or right side of your display.
  • Move to - Select this to transfer a specific window to a different virtual desktop.
  • Show this window on all desktops - Ideal for applications you need to see constantly, regardless of which virtual desktop you're using. You can also opt to show all windows from a particular application across all desktops.
  • Close - Shut down an individual window directly.
  • Reordering desktops - Within Task View, you can usually click and drag the desktop thumbnails to arrange them in your preferred order.
  • Closing unneeded desktops - When a virtual desktop is no longer required, you can close it from Task View (look for an "X" on its thumbnail). Any applications and windows open on that desktop will automatically consolidate onto an adjacent active desktop, ensuring no work is lost.

At Voyage Technology, our goal is to help Western Kentucky businesses make the most of their technology. Understanding and utilizing features like Virtual Desktops can contribute to a more streamlined and efficient operation. Whether it's providing guidance on built-in OS features, designing and maintaining your critical network infrastructure, or offering dedicated support for your team's IT challenges, we're here to provide clarity and solutions.

We believe that proactive and well-managed technology is a cornerstone of business success.

If you're interested in learning more about how Voyage Technology can support your organization's technology needs, please give us a call at 800.618.9844. We’d be delighted to discuss what we can do for you.

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Mobile? Grab this Article!

Qr Code

Tag Cloud

Security Technology Tip of the Week Best Practices Business Computing Data Productivity Business Software Innovation Hackers Cloud Network Security User Tips Efficiency Hardware Internet Malware IT Support Privacy Google Computer Email Workplace Tips Phishing Hosted Solutions IT Services Users Collaboration Mobile Device Workplace Strategy Ransomware Quick Tips Small Business Cybersecurity Microsoft Backup Passwords Communication Data Backup Saving Money Smartphone Android Managed Service Smartphones VoIP Business Management Mobile Devices communications Upgrade Disaster Recovery Data Recovery Social Media Productivity Browser Windows Microsoft Office Managed IT Services AI Current Events Network Remote Tech Term Internet of Things Automation Artificial Intelligence Facebook Gadgets Cloud Computing Covid-19 Holiday Miscellaneous Information Training Remote Work Server Managed Service Provider Outsourced IT Encryption Spam Employee/Employer Relationship Compliance Office Windows 10 Government Business Continuity Data Management Blockchain Wi-Fi Business Technology IT Support Bandwidth Windows 10 Virtualization Apps Vendor Two-factor Authentication Mobile Office Data Security Employer-Employee Relationship BYOD Chrome Mobile Device Management Budget Managed Services Voice over Internet Protocol Gmail Apple Networking App Computing HIPAA Information Technology Applications Hacker Access Control Avoiding Downtime Office 365 Marketing Tip of the week Conferencing How To WiFi BDR Operating System Router Virtual Private Network Risk Management Computers Health Analytics Website Office Tips Help Desk Augmented Reality Retail Storage Password Bring Your Own Device Healthcare Managed IT Services Big Data Social Going Green Patch Management Windows 7 Save Money Remote Monitoring End of Support Vulnerability Microsoft 365 Vendor Management Cybercrime Solutions Physical Security Customer Service Display Printer Paperless Office Infrastructure Windows 11 2FA Monitoring Document Management Excel Firewall Remote Workers Scam Telephone Data loss The Internet of Things Cooperation Free Resource Project Management Robot Images 101 Telephone System Multi-Factor Authentication Mobility Settings Wireless Cost Management Printing Content Filtering IT Management Customer Relationship Management VPN YouTube Meetings Employees Cryptocurrency Hacking Integration Presentation Computer Repair User Tip Modem Processor Mobile Security Virtual Desktop Data storage LiFi Wireless Technology Holidays Outlook Data Storage Smart Technology Supply Chain Machine Learning Video Conferencing Money Humor Managed Services Provider Word Saving Time Virtual Machines Professional Services Maintenance Antivirus Managed IT Service Sports Mouse Downloads Safety iPhone Licensing Administration Entertainment Vulnerabilities Data Privacy Data Analysis Star Wars IT Assessment Microsoft Excel IT Maintenance Travel Application Staff Value Business Intelligence Google Maps Cortana Gamification Flexibility Techology Organization Social Networking Alt Codes IBM Legislation Shortcuts Fileless Malware Digital Security Cameras Smart Devices Ransmoware Downtime Unified Threat Management Wearable Technology Memory Vendors Hosted Solution Content Remote Working Unified Threat Management Health IT Motherboard Data Breach Typing Comparison Google Play Be Proactive Network Congestion Directions Videos Assessment Electronic Health Records Permissions Workforce Wasting Time Threats Competition Knowledge Google Drive User Error Trend Micro Specifications Security Cameras Workplace Strategies 5G Microchip Internet Exlporer Software as a Service Fraud Meta Point of Sale Managing Costs Amazon Unified Communications Experience Username Google Docs eCommerce Bitcoin Network Management Black Friday SSID Running Cable Tech Support User Monitors Database Surveillance Google Wallet Virtual Assistant Outsource IT IT Technicians Virtual Machine Environment Media Proxy Server Reviews Cookies Windows 8 IP Address Cyber Monday Medical IT Laptop Websites Tactics Development Drones Hotspot Transportation Small Businesses SharePoint Mirgation Hypervisor Displays Electronic Medical Records Shopping Nanotechnology Optimization PowerPoint Halloween Recovery Hard Drives Writing Addiction Lenovo Language Employer/Employee Relationships Outsourcing Management PCI DSS Chatbots Domains Navigation Virtual Reality Gig Economy Screen Reader Hacks Server Management Distributed Denial of Service Workplace Scary Stories Private Cloud Computing Infrastructure Teamwork Hiring/Firing Identity Theft Refrigeration Fun Service Level Agreement Internet Service Provider Superfish Regulations Compliance Identity Deep Learning Public Speaking Evernote Paperless Twitter Bookmark Smart Tech Memes Lithium-ion battery Co-managed IT Error Alerts SQL Server Technology Care Education Social Engineering Entrepreneur Download Net Neutrality Financial Data History Business Communications Remote Computing Browsers Smartwatch Connectivity IT Mobile Computing Break Fix Scams Azure Hybrid Work Tablet Undo Search Upload Procurement Social Network Telework Cyber security Best Practice Multi-Factor Security Tech Human Resources Alert Dark Data CES IoT Communitications Managed IT Dark Web Cables Buisness File Sharing IT solutions How To Trends Supply Chain Management Legal Customer Resource management FinTech Regulations Business Growth Google Calendar Term Google Apps Notifications

Blog Archive