Do you remember your first day of school? It was probably awkward and uncomfortable, but it also felt transformative. You were growing up and leaving kid stuff behind. Cornered by their parents after the novelty of first grade wore off, many kids were asked why they needed to go back to school. “To learn more things!” we protested, as if this was some kind of subversive plot rather than an opportunity to prepare for adult life. We may chuckle now—but those innocent words have stuck with us because they exposed a harsh truth: School is not about learning. It’s about memorizing facts and passing tests so we can get a job and pay taxes so the government can build more schools so our kids can one day go there again…
Introduction to Multiple Desktops in Windows
In computing, a virtual desktop is a software implementation of the concept of an actual desktop, where documents and applications are stored on the desktop itself and can be accessed like items on a real physical desktop. It allows the user to expand their screen real estate by creating multiple desktops, each with its own set of application windows, documents, and desktop wallpaper. A virtual desktop is an abstract concept that dates back to the very beginnings of computing. There are two basic reasons for having more than one virtual desktop. The first is to prevent a single task from monopolizing our attention. The second is to increase our working space.
What is a Virtual Desktop?
A virtual desktop is an abstract concept that dates back to the very beginnings of computing. There are two basic reasons for having more than one virtual desktop. The first is to prevent a single task from monopolizing our attention. The second is to increase our working space. The basic concept of the virtual desktop is simple enough: Each desktop is an independent workspace with its own layout, including a collection of windows, open documents, and desktop wallpaper. Switching between these workspaces creates the illusion that we’ve got several desktops right on our computer’s display. The underlying software is responsible for managing them all and keeping track of which window belongs to which workspace.
Why do we need it?
The basic concept of the virtual desktop is simple enough: Each desktop is an independent workspace with its own layout, including a collection of windows, open documents, and desktop wallpaper. Switching between these workspaces creates the illusion that we’ve got several desktops right on our computer’s display. The underlying software is responsible for managing them all and keeping track of which window belongs to which workspace. The real utility of virtual desktops lies in how we use them:
- Prevent a single task from monopolizing our attention
- Prevent a single task from monopolizing our attention Remember your first day of school? It was probably awkward and uncomfortable, but it also felt transformative. You were growing up and leaving kid stuff behind. Now, as adults, we find ourselves swamped, tied up in knots of distraction. There’s a constant barrage of emails, phone calls, meetings, tweets, notifications and other assorted noise, much of which is just noise. In the midst of this, it can be difficult to focus on anything.
Why Pinocchio Needs It
A virtual desktop lets you create a new space where you can temporarily shelve that project, open a new document, or start a new task. You can then focus on your work, undistracted by other items that are still hanging around on your main desktop. You can also set up different wallpapers for each desktop, providing visual cues as you switch between them. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff you have to do and the number of projects you have going, creating multiple virtual workspaces can give you some breathing room. You can open new windows and start new tasks on their own virtual desktops, allowing you to keep your big picture in sight while separating the details.
To create a new desktop in Windows 10:
- Click the Task View button in your taskbar. You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.
- Click New Desktop.
To switch between virtual desktops, open the Task View pane and click on the desktop you want to switch to. You can also quickly switch desktops without going into the Task View pane by using the keyboard shortcuts Windows Key + Ctrl + Left Arrow or Windows Key + Ctrl + Right Arrow.
Why This is Actually a Bad Idea
While the concept of virtual desktops has been around for decades, the idea only really took off with the advent of graphical user interfaces. And while it’s been a staple of computing ever since, we’ve also seen an incredible shift in how, where and why we use our computers. We now carry powerful computers in our pockets and use them to do everything from communicating with friends and family to booking our vacations and paying our bills. And while a virtual desktop can make sense in a traditional office setting, where workers have clearly defined tasks and will likely drop those windows once they’re finished, it’s no longer enough for our modern, mobile lifestyles.
How we can make it work anyway
We can make virtual desktops work in a mobile and distributed computing environment by embracing a key principle of Modularity. The problem with a single task monopolizing our attention is that it doesn’t stop when we finish it. We often have to drop it in order to take care of other tasks. Virtual desktops can help us compartmentalize those tasks, but they don’t have to exist in a vacuum.
Conclusion
A virtual desktop lets you create a new space where you can temporarily shelve that project, open a new document, or start a new task. You can then focus on your work, undistracted by other items that are still hanging around on your main desktop. They can contain their own applications and documents, and you can easily navigate between them. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff you have to do and the number of projects you have going, creating multiple virtual workspaces can give you some breathing room. You can open new windows and start new tasks on their own virtual desktops, allowing you to keep your big picture in sight while separating the details.
#productivity #workspace #tasks