How to Change Desktops: Switching Virtual Desktops, Physical Setups, and Desktop Environments

The phrase "change desktops" means different things depending on what you're actually trying to do. You might want to switch between virtual desktops (multiple workspaces on the same computer), swap out your physical desktop PC, or change your desktop environment on Linux. Each of these is a genuinely different task with its own steps, tools, and trade-offs. Understanding which scenario applies to you is the first step.

Switching Between Virtual Desktops

Modern operating systems let you run multiple virtual desktops — sometimes called workspaces — so you can organize open apps across separate screens without actually having multiple monitors.

On Windows 10 and 11

Windows calls these Task View desktops. Here's how they work:

• Press Windows key + Tab to open Task View
• Click New Desktop (top left) to add a workspace
• Switch between desktops with Windows key + Ctrl + Left/Right arrow
• Right-click a window in Task View to move it to a different desktop

Each virtual desktop maintains its own set of open windows, which is useful for separating work from personal apps, or keeping a research session isolated from a writing project.

On macOS (Mission Control)

Apple calls these Spaces. To manage them:

• Swipe up with three or four fingers on a trackpad to enter Mission Control
• Click the + button in the top-right corner to add a new Space
• Swipe left or right with three fingers to move between Spaces
• Use Control + Arrow keys as a keyboard alternative

You can assign specific apps to always open in a particular Space via the app's Dock icon menu (right-click → Options → Assign to).

On Linux

Desktop switching behavior depends heavily on which desktop environment (DE) you're running. GNOME, KDE Plasma, XFCE, and others each handle workspaces differently — but most support keyboard shortcuts like Super + Page Up/Down or Ctrl + Alt + Arrow keys out of the box.

Changing Your Physical Desktop Computer 🖥️

If "changing desktops" means replacing or upgrading your actual desktop PC, the process involves more than just buying new hardware. Several factors shape what that transition looks like.

What Transfers and What Doesn't

Peripheral compatibility is worth checking before you commit. Older monitors may use VGA or DVI connections that newer desktops don't support without an adapter. Similarly, USB-A vs USB-C availability varies by machine.

Operating System Considerations

Switching from one Windows PC to another is relatively seamless if you're using a Microsoft account — settings, preferences, and some apps sync automatically. Switching from Windows to macOS (or vice versa) is a more significant adjustment, involving different file systems, app ecosystems, and keyboard layouts.

Changing the Desktop Environment on Linux 🐧

Linux users have the option to change the entire visual and functional layer of their desktop — the desktop environment — without reinstalling the operating system. This is unique to Linux and gives users a level of customization unavailable on Windows or macOS.

Common desktop environments include:

• GNOME — clean, minimal, touchpad-friendly
• KDE Plasma — highly customizable, Windows-like layout
• XFCE — lightweight, ideal for older hardware
• Cinnamon — traditional layout, user-friendly
• i3 / Sway — tiling window managers for power users

Installing a new DE is typically done via the terminal using your distro's package manager (e.g., sudo apt install kde-plasma-desktop on Debian-based systems). You then select the environment at the login screen.

Important: Running multiple desktop environments on the same system can occasionally cause conflicts in settings or application themes. Many users test new DEs in a virtual machine first.

The Variables That Determine Your Experience

How straightforward any of these "desktop changes" turns out to be depends on several factors:

• Operating system version — Virtual desktop features in Windows 11 are more refined than in Windows 10; older macOS versions handle Spaces differently
• Hardware specs — Running multiple virtual desktops or a demanding DE requires adequate RAM (generally 8GB or more for smooth multitasking)
• Technical comfort level — Switching DEs on Linux assumes familiarity with the terminal; virtual desktop switching on Windows or macOS is accessible to any user
• Data management habits — Users who back up regularly and use cloud storage will find a physical desktop swap far less disruptive
• Software ecosystem lock-in — Some applications are platform-exclusive, which matters most when crossing between Windows and macOS

Different Users, Different Outcomes

A developer running Linux who wants a faster workflow will have a completely different experience changing desktops than a home user buying their first new PC in a decade. Someone using Windows 11 with a Microsoft 365 account will find transitioning to a new machine much smoother than someone on a standalone Windows 10 license with locally stored files and no cloud backup.

Even within virtual desktop switching, power users who rely on keyboard shortcuts will navigate this differently than someone who prefers clicking through a GUI. The underlying feature is the same — but the friction level isn't.

Your specific setup, operating system, hardware, and comfort with technical steps are what ultimately determine how simple or involved any of these changes will be.