Ever wanted to set up a virtual desktop on Windows 11 and you don’t know what steps to follow? Well, we are here for you. In this article, we are going to give you a step-by-step guide on setting up a virtual desktop with individual icons. A virtual desktop allows you to create a custom arrangement for your favorite applications in separate workspaces. With a virtual desktop, users are able to switch from one workspace to another using a task view button.
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Virtual desktops are not entirely new to Windows. Previous versions of Windows have enabled users to create separate desktops for different projects. However, Windows 11 has a few new features that are quite enticing to users. For starters, users are able to change the wallpaper of the different virtual desktops giving you a new feel each time you switch from one desktop to another.
Let’s head on straight to creating a virtual desktop with individual icons in your Windows 11.
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Table of Contents
How To Setup Virtual Desktop With Individual Icons in windows 11
To create a virtual desktop, you’ll have to follow the steps below ;
1. Open the task view button
The task view button on Windows 11 is found at the bottom of your screen. It looks like two squares that are overlapping. You could also the Windows + Tab button to access the task view bar immediately.

2. Click on the new desktop
Once you click on the new desktop thumbnail, you would have managed to create a new virtual desktop that’s different from the one you are using. With this, you are able to use separate applications with different virtual desktops.

You can always access the task viewer each time you want to shift from one virtual desktop to another. To do this, you can hover around the task viewer icon and get to see all your virtual desktops, You can also press the Windows key +ctrl + an arrow key. You could choose the right or left arrow key to move from one virtual desktop to another. Moreover, it’s a quick way to move from one desktop to another especially if you have multiple virtual desktops.
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If you are having any problems with the steps indicated, then you can watch this video prepared by The Windows club to help you with the process.
How to customize your virtual desktops
Windows 11 allows you to personalize your virtual desktops making it easier for you to switch from different applications on each desktop. There are so many things you could do to customize your desktop. Some of these are ;
- Choosing a different wallpaper
- Naming the desktops
- Rearranging your virtual desktops
- Using the same application on both desktops
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How to pick a different wallpaper for your virtual desktop
To get started with choosing a different wallpaper you’ll first need to switch to the virtual desktop that you’d like to customize. To do this;
Hover around the taskbar and switch to the virtual desktop you wish to customize.
Right-click on a blank space on the virtual desktop
Right-clicking will bring a menu that appears with some options to customize the wallpaper.

On the menu that appears click on personalize.
This will take you to the settings page where you’ll be able to change the wallpaper of your virtual desktop.

On the personalization page, go to the background.
In the background section, you will be able to pick a picture image that can be used as your wallpaper.

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Choose an image that you’d wish to set as your wallpaper.
You can choose an image from the ones given by Windows or browse on your PC to pick any other image that you had saved in one of the folders.

You could also go to the settings page > personalization, and then background to change the wallpaper on your virtual desktop. After setting the wallpaper that you desire, close the settings page and go to another desktop that you would wish to customize.
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How to name different virtual desktops on Windows 11
When you create a new desktop, your PC automatically names it desktop two or desktop one. If you wish to change the name of various desktops ;
- Hover on the task view icon.
- Click on the new desktop that you’d wish to rename.
- Type in the name of your new desktop.
How to rearrange different desktops.
To rearrange the order of desktops on your Windows 11 :
- Click on the task viewer
- Click on the desktop whose position you wish to change
- Hold on to the virtual desktop and move it to the portion that you want.
Different shortcuts on your virtual desktop in Windows 11
If you want to make your work seamless and easy, You can use the keyboard shortcuts mentioned below as you navigate through different virtual desktops. Some of these shortcuts are :
- Windows+Tab: This allows you to Open the Task View bar
- Windows+Ctrl+Left or Right Arrow: these three keys will enable you to switch between virtual desktops
- Windows+Ctrl+D: This allows you to easily create a new Virtual Desktop
- Arrow Keys and Enter: These two keys allow you to pick one of the virtual desktops that you have.
Setting up a new virtual desktop on Windows 11 is not as hard as you might think, with a few steps here and there, you’re able to customize your laptop to give you more room to do your work.
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