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WS Virtual Desktop Tool

Windows 11 Virtual Desktop add-on.

Try & buy

  • WS Virtual Desktop Tool enhances the standard Windows 10 Virtual Desktop functionality with a streamlined system-tray interface and additional features.

    • Tray Access

      The tool resides in the Windows System Tray (to the left of the clock). If hidden behind the “Show hidden icons”arrow, drag it to a visible position for quick access. The tray icon displays the number of the currently active virtual desktop.

    • Keyboard Shortcut

      Open the menu instantly with WIN+ESC, which provides a compact overview of all open application windows.

    • Virtual Desktop Management

      Quickly switch between desktops or move application windows across desktops using keyboard shortcuts.

    • Per-Desktop Wallpaper

      Each virtual desktop can have its own wallpaper. When switching desktops, the associated background is applied automatically. Configuration is handled through the standard Windows Background settings

    [READ ME] WS Virtual Desktop Tool is our utility that improves upon the Windows 10 & 11 Virtual/Multiple Desktops feature. Its menu is accessible through the Windows System Tray (the area left to the clock) and gives a compact overview of all your open application windows. If the icon is hidden behind the ‘Show hidden icons’-arrow; simply drag it to any visible part of the system tray. The icon shows the index of the currently active virtual desktop. The shortcut for this menu is `WIN` + `ESC`.

    This utility lets you switch between multiple virtual desktops and move windows instantly with keyboard shortcuts. It also allows you to configure different wallpapers for each virtual desktop so that when you switch to another virtual desktop, its associated wallpaper is automatically shown. To configure different wallpapers, just do so through the usual Windows Background settings (ms-settings:personalization-background).

    Make sure to read to the bottom to get the most out of this tool.

    Shortcuts

    Shortcut Action
    WIN + ESC Opens the main menu at mouse pointer location
    WIN + 1..20 Switch to virtual desktop 1..20 (the desktop will be optionally created if it does not exist yet)
    ALT + WIN + 1..20 Move window at mouse pointer to virtual desktop 1..20 (window focus is not needed)
    SHIFT + WIN + 1..20 Move focused window to virtual desktop 1..20 and switch to it
    WIN + INS Show application at mouse pointer on all virtual desktops (pinned app)
    WIN + DEL Normal application behavior: show on the active virtual desktop only (unpinned app)
    ALT + WIN + INS Show window at mouse pointer on all virtual desktops (pinned window)
    ALT + WIN + DEL Normal window behavior: show on the active virtual desktop only (unpinned window)
    ALT + INS Always open application at mouse pointer on current virtual desktop (to undo use WIN + DEL)
    ALT + TAB Tweak to build-in Windows 10 feature: Shows Windows Application Switcher on the monitor that contains the mouse pointer (when using multiple monitors).

    Menu Items

    • Show X always op top
      Toggles top-most/not-top-most for the active window
    • Show X on all desktops
      Pin/unpin active application on all virtual desktops
    • Move X to Desktop 1..X
    • A list of shortcuts in your personal Favorites folder.
      Holding CTRL + SHIFT runs the shortcut elevated as administrator.
    • Show favorite folder contents…
      Opens the Favorites folder in Windows Explorer so you can review/add/delete shortcuts or sub folders. Tip: Browse the Windows start menu at %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs from where you can copy/paste preferred shortcuts to your Favorites folder.
    • Followed by a list of all open application windows.
      Hovering over an item will show a live preview. Clicking an item will activate the application. Holding CTRL while clicking will activate and move the application to the current virtual desktop. Holding SHIFT while clicking will close the application window.
    • Options
      • [x] Wallpaper support for virtual desktops (Windows 10).
        Enables/disables the feature that allows each virtual desktop to have its own wallpaper configuration.
      • [ ] Hide desktop icons on extra virtual desktops
        Enables/disables hiding of desktop icons on virtual desktops except the first one.
      • [ ] Each virtual desktop has its own desktop shortcuts
        Enables/disables unique desktop icons for each virtual desktop
      • [x] Show desktop name when switching
        Enables/disables showing the virtual desktop name after switching.
      • [x] Create new desktop if it does not exist yet
        Enables/disables automatic creation of virtual desktop when switching.
      • [x] Use alternative shortcuts for virtual desktop switching
        Use CTRL + SHIFT + 1..20 to switch virtual desktops instead of WIN + 1..20
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