• About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Submit For Review
  • Template Gallery
  • Excel 2016 Udemy Course
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

TheAppTimes

App Reviews, Tutorials, & Gadget News Hub

  • Gadgets
  • How To
  • Mobile Apps
  • Software and Web Apps
  • Buying Guides
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home » How To » How to Use the Task View in Windows 10

How to Use the Task View in Windows 10

August 12, 2015

My favorite feature in Windows 10 is the new virtual desktop called Task View. It is extremely useful when you work on multiple projects and find yourself constantly switching between various windows and programs. Task view lets you collate related apps and windows into separate desktops so that you can switch from one project to another and find related apps and programs more easily.

It saves time by eliminating the need to the time minimize, maximize, and move windows around to find the ones you need for a particular task.

The Task View button is pinned to the Task bar right next to the Search box. If you click on it, you won’t see you’ll see two blank desktops. So let’s organize some open Windows into these desktops. Lets open up File Explorer, Mail, Calendar, Calculator, Photos and OneNote.

Using the Task View to Create Multiple Desktops

Now that a lot of Windows are open, click the Task View button. At the top of the window, you can instantly see all the open windows in a nice thumbnail view. At the bottom, you can see that all these open windows are currently in Desktop 1. Now lets a few of these open  windows into another desktop.

So, for example, let’s say that you are going to add some photos to OneNote. Drag Photos and OneNote to Desktop 2. If you want to read through your email and set up some calendar appointments while you’re at it, click New Desktop to create Desktop 3.

Then hover your mouse over Desktop 1 and drag the Mail and Calendar apps to Desktop 3. So now you have the apps and windows spread across three virtual desktops.

To switch between these desktops, you can click the Task View button and select the one you want. You can also use the keyboard shortcut of Ctrl+Windows +Arrow key to switch between desktops. To go to Desktop 1, you press Ctrl+Windows + Left Arrow key and to go back to Desktop 3, you press Ctrl+Windows +Right Arrow key. One thing to remember with using multiple desktops is that the taskbar icons will appear only on the desktop they are open on.

So, on Desktop 3, you can see the Mail and Calendar app icons. If you switch over to Desktop 2, you’ll see the taskbar icons to Photo and OneNote. There are some exceptions though, for instance, even if you move the Skype icon, it tends to show up on all Desktops even if you’ve opened it on just one.

ALSO READ:  Microsoft Edge Browser Feature Look

Another popular shortcut key that we use to switch between apps on a desktop, the Alt+Tab key can also be used but again, this will only switch between apps on the current desktop that you’re using. So if you press Alt and Tab on this desktop, you can only switch between Photo and OneNote apps. If you go to Desktop 3 and press Alt+Tab, you can only switch between Mail and Calendar apps.

You can change this behavior though by tweaking your settings. Go to Settings-> System->Multitasking. Under Virtual desktops, click the top dropdown menu and select All Desktops to show windows that are open on all desktops. So you can see those app icons have now been added to the current Task bar.

Similarly, if you select All desktops in the second dropdown and press Alt+Tab you can  switch between open programs on any desktop. So now if you close Settings and press Alt+Tab, you can see all the currently open apps and windows. So even though you’re currently in Desktop 3, you can directly switch to Desktop 2 by clicking on OneNote. This is a much more natural behavior because you don’t have to keep clicking the Taskbar every time you want to switch apps on a different desktop.

If you no longer want a desktop, open Task View again, roll your mouse over that desktop, and click the X button. Let’s get rid of Desktop 3 and Desktop 2. You’ll notice that all the apps and windows are back on the original desktop. If you think that the Task View is really a redundant feature that you won’t use, you can right click on the Task View button and uncheck Show Task View button. That will give you some extra icon space on the Taskbar. To bring it back, right click on any empty space in the Task bar and check that option.

So that’s how you work with the new Task View feature in Windows 10.

Tweet
Share14
WhatsApp
Pin101
Buffer
115 Shares

Filed Under: How To Tagged With: windows 10

You May Also Like

Windows 10 Project Redstone 4 Update - FE
Windows 10 Project Redstone 4 Update: All You Need to Know
Fun Hidden Object Games for Windows 10 - TATFI
Fun Hidden Object Games for Windows 10
How to Shut Down Your PC Automatically at the End of the Day
How to Shut Down Your PC Automatically at the End of the Day

About Adeline Gear

Adeline is a tech enthusiast who loves exploring the latest tools and applications in the marketplace. She also loves her Android and spends time reviewing apps and playing games when she has the time.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hottest New Gadgets!

Couchmaster Cyboss Ergonomic Couch Desk - TATFI

Couchmaster Cyboss is an Ergonomic Desk to Keep Off Neck Pain

Philips Hue Festavia String Lights - TATFI

Add a Bit of Sparkle to Your Christmas Tree with Philips Hue Festavia String Lights

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite Kids Edition - TATFI

This Kid Friendly Tablet from AT&T is a Thoughtful Gift for Your Little One This Christmas

Is An iPhone Really Worth It - TATFI

Is an iPhone is Really Worth It?

Devices You Might Want to Try - TATFI

4 Fantastic Devices You Might Want to Try

Amazon Kindle 2022 - TATFI

Meet the Amazon Kindle 2022 – Packed with New Features

Ergonomic FlexiSpot E7 Pro Plus Standing Desk - TATFI

WFH in Comfort with the Ergonomic FlexiSpot E7 Pro Plus Standing Desk

Popular Tags

android android apps android games android how to apple casino games chrome extensions excel excel how to facebook gadgets gaming gmail google instagram ios apps ios games ios how to ios tips ipad iphone kids apps learn excel management microsoft music apps new releases outlook how to photo apps powerpoint powerpoint how to productivity Samsung security smartphone smartphones software tablet tablets twitter web browsers windows 10 word how to xbox youtube

Disclosure

TheAppTimes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Best e Readers to Buy in 2023 - TATFI

5 Best eReaders to Buy in 2023

Amazfit Falcon Smartwatch - TATFI

The Amazfit Falcon is a Military Grade Smartwatch with Premium Looks and Great Features

Best Translation Apps for Android - TATFI

5 Great Translation Apps for Android

Dynamic Island Feature on Your Android - TATFI

How to Get the Dynamic Island Feature on Android

Connected TV Advertising In 2023 - TATFI

5 Things You Need To Know About Connected TV Advertising In 2023

Smart Cost Cutting Strategies for SMEs - TATFI

5 Smart Cost Cutting Strategies for SMEs

Frequently Asked Questions About PMP - TATFI

Frequently Asked Questions About PMP

Technologies behind the online casino world - TATFI

The Latest Technologies Behind the Online Casino World

B2B Marketing Strategies To Grow Your Business - TATFI

Effective B2B Marketing Strategies To Grow Your Business

Exciting Games To Play This Christmas - TATFI

Exciting Games To Play With Family And Friends This Christmas

Simplify Your Everyday Routine with These Apps - TATFI

Looking To Simplify Your Everyday Routine? Consider These 7 Types Of Apps

Best Gadgets Gifts for Christmas 2022 - TATFI

Holiday Gift Guide 2022: Best Gadgets Gifts for Christmas 2022

TheAppTimes © 2023 // Runs on StudioPress