Windows 10: Prevent switching between multiple virtual desktops when opening a file associated with an...

The multiple virtual desktop feature is, in theory, a great idea but I run into a consistent issue with it. Lets say I have Excel open on "Desktop 1". I then create a new desktop, "Desktop 2". If I double click on an Excel file while using Desktop 2, Windows switches me back to Desktop 1 to open that file. I want to set the default setting for any program to be that it should open on the active desktop. How can I change that setting so that a program will always open up on the active desktop, even if it is already open on another desktop? Thanks!

:)

 

virtual desktop as multiple monitor

Hello Dan,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

Virtual desktops lets you create multiple, separate desktops that each can display different open windows and apps. Multiple desktops are great for quickly switching desktops. The idea of having multiple virtual desktops is being able to order programs
according to a set of tasks.

PC can’t have different virtual desktop on each monitor. However, we can
configure the taskbar for multiple displays to send windows from one monitor to another. We can customize Windows to have a taskbar shown on only one display, and a different taskbar on the other display. To do that, follow the below mentioned
steps.

• Right click on the taskbar and select
  Taskbar Settings.
  
• Scroll down to Multiple displays section and choose
  Taskbar where window is open under Show taskbar buttons on option.
  

By choosing that particular option in Settings, you can set its independent taskbar in addition to your primary display. Only the open windows are shown on the taskbar in that particular display.

As a workaround, we can create a new profile to switch your main display to another. By doing that, you can switch between profiles which will be having different displays in it.
To do that, follow the below mentioned steps.

• Right click anywhere on the desktop and select Graphics properties > Select
  Display > make changes to change your main displays > click on
  Save profile > assign a name to it.
  
• You can create multiple profiles to make different monitors as main displays each time.
  
• To apply the profile, right click anywhere on the
  desktop and select Graphics Options > Profiles > in there you can select the new account which you have created to switch the display.
  

Hope it helps.

Mala S

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

Opening Apps on a multiple virtual desktops

When I open an App, i.e. Excel, on one Virtual Desktop and then try and open an excel document from file explorer on a second virtual desktop the document opens up and switches views to the original virtual desktop making using virtual desktops frustrating
and time consuming. Is there anyway to get Apps to ensure that apps open on the current desktop even when the App is already open on another desktop?

 

Multiple Monitors and Virtual Desktops in Windows 10

Often I'm using an extra monitor when working on my computer with Windows 10. I like to put on Netflix or some other form of video on the additional monitor. However, when I'm switching between virtual desktops, the Netflix window travels with the desktop
it was originally associated with, causing me to have to pause my workflow to manually move it with me.

Is there any way to get a window to switch virtual desktops with me? Or better yet, a way to make the extra monitor have a virtual desktop all of it's own that can function when I switch between desktops on my primary screen?

Any suggestions appreciated.