How to Open a New Desktop on Windows, Mac, and Linux

Managing multiple tasks at once is one of the biggest challenges in everyday computing. Opening a new desktop — also called a virtual desktop — lets you create separate workspaces on the same machine without needing extra monitors. Whether you're separating work from personal browsing, keeping a video call open while you edit documents, or just reducing clutter, virtual desktops are one of the most underused productivity features built into modern operating systems.

Here's how they work, and what affects how well they'll serve you.

What Is a Virtual Desktop?

A virtual desktop is an additional workspace that runs alongside your main desktop. Each virtual desktop can hold its own set of open windows and apps, and you can switch between them instantly. The screens don't stack or tile — they're genuinely separate environments that share the same running system resources.

This is different from multiple monitors, which physically extend your display. Virtual desktops multiply your workspace in software, using no additional hardware.

How to Open a New Desktop on Windows

Windows 10 and Windows 11 both include a built-in virtual desktop feature called Task View.

To open a new desktop on Windows:

1. Press Windows key + Tab to open Task View
2. Click "New desktop" in the top-left corner (Windows 11) or bottom bar (Windows 10)
3. Your new desktop appears as a thumbnail — click it to switch

Keyboard shortcut to create a new desktop:Windows key + Ctrl + D

To switch between desktops:Windows key + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow

To close a desktop:Windows key + Ctrl + F4 (open windows move to the previous desktop automatically)

You can also rename desktops and assign different wallpapers to each in Windows 11, which makes it easier to stay oriented across multiple workspaces.

How to Open a New Desktop on macOS

Apple calls its virtual desktop system Spaces, managed through Mission Control.

To open a new desktop on Mac:

1. Swipe up with three or four fingers on the trackpad (or press Mission Control key / F3)
2. In the top strip that appears, click the "+" button on the far right
3. A new Space is created — click to enter it

Keyboard shortcut to switch between Spaces:Control + Left/Right Arrow

You can also set specific apps to open on specific Spaces, which is one of macOS's more powerful organizational features. Right-click an app in the Dock → Options → Assign to → choose a Space.

Full-screen apps on Mac automatically occupy their own Space, which is worth knowing if you're wondering why your desktop count keeps growing.

How to Open a New Desktop on Linux 🖥️

Linux desktop environments vary significantly, but most major ones support virtual desktops natively.

• GNOME (used in Ubuntu): Press the Activities button or Super key, then look for workspaces on the right panel. GNOME creates workspaces dynamically as you need them.
• KDE Plasma: Right-click the taskbar → Configure Virtual Desktops to add and name them. You can also use the Pager widget for quick switching.
• XFCE: Settings → Workspaces to set the number of desktops you want.

Keyboard shortcuts differ by distribution and configuration, but most follow the Ctrl + Alt + Arrow pattern for switching.

Factors That Affect Your Virtual Desktop Experience

Not everyone gets the same results from virtual desktops. Several variables shape how useful — or how limiting — they feel in practice.

RAM is worth calling out specifically. Virtual desktops don't partition memory — all your open applications share system RAM regardless of which desktop they're on. If you're running low on memory, opening more desktops won't help performance; it may hurt it.

App Behavior Across Desktops

One subtlety that catches people off guard: not all apps play nicely with virtual desktops.

On Windows, some applications — particularly older or system-integrated software — will appear across all desktops regardless of where you placed them. Windows 11 lets you right-click a window in Task View to choose whether it should show on all desktops or just one.

On macOS, apps set to "All Desktops" in their Dock options follow you everywhere. Notification overlays, menu bar apps, and some system tools also ignore Space assignments entirely.

On Linux, behavior depends heavily on the window manager. Some apps can be "pinned" to all workspaces; others have to be manually configured.

When Virtual Desktops Work Best ✅

Virtual desktops are particularly effective when:

• You have distinct contexts to separate (work vs. personal, project A vs. project B)
• You prefer clean, uncluttered screens rather than many overlapping windows
• You're working on a single monitor and want more breathing room
• Your workflow involves switching between focused tasks rather than referencing multiple things simultaneously

They're less effective as a substitute for actual screen real estate when you genuinely need to see multiple things at once — that's where a second monitor still wins.

What Your Setup Actually Determines

The mechanics of opening a new desktop are straightforward on every major OS. What varies — and what matters more — is how your operating system version, hardware, installed applications, and working habits interact with the feature. A power user on GNOME with 32GB of RAM and carefully configured app assignments will have a meaningfully different experience than someone on Windows 10 with 8GB of RAM running several memory-heavy applications across three desktops.

The feature is the same. The fit depends on what you're running and how you work.