Switching Desktop Shortcut ^new^ May 2026

Introduction Desktop shortcuts are one of the most efficient ways to streamline workflows on a computer. While most users are familiar with shortcuts that open applications or files, fewer know about shortcuts designed to switch between different desktop environments, user accounts, or virtual workspaces. This guide explains how to create and use switching desktop shortcuts on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Part 1: Switching Between Virtual Desktops Virtual desktops (Task View) allow you to create multiple independent desktops. You can switch between them using keyboard shortcuts or custom desktop shortcuts. Default Keyboard Shortcuts | Action | Shortcut | |--------|----------| | Open Task View | Win + Tab | | Switch to next desktop | Ctrl + Win + Right Arrow | | Switch to previous desktop | Ctrl + Win + Left Arrow | | Create new desktop | Ctrl + Win + D | | Close current desktop | Ctrl + Win + F4 | Creating a Desktop Shortcut to Switch Desktops You cannot directly assign a shortcut file to switch to a specific desktop number, but you can create scripts.