Page 306 - Windows 10 May 2019 Update The Missing Manual: The Book That Should Have Been in the Box

Tip

Once you’ve mastered the long way to create a desktop, you’re ready for the turbo method. It’s a
much faster way to create a desktop—and doesn’t involve a trip the Timeline: Press Ctrl+ +D.
To close the current desktop, press Ctrl+ +F4.

Switching Virtual Screens

Once you’ve got a couple of virtual monitors set up, the fun begins. Start by
moving to the virtual screen you want; it’s like changing the channel. Here

are some ways to do that:

Press +Ctrl+ or +Ctrl+ to rotate to the previous or
next desktop. (That is, while pressing +Ctrl, tap the right or left
arrow key.)

Enter the Timeline again ( on the taskbar), and choose the
desktop you want.

When you make a switch, you see a flash of animation as one screen flies
away and another appears. Now that you’re “on” the screen you want, open

programs and arrange windows onto it as usual.

Note

Windows uses your main desktop’s background picture for all additional desktops. It would be
nice if you could choose a different wallpaper for each, to help you keep them straight—but to
make that happen, you need a free add-on program like zVirtualDesktop. It also adds an indicator
to your system tray, letting you know which desktop you’re on, and lets you jump to a particular
desktop with a keystroke. You can download zVirtualDesktop from this book’s “Missing CD”
page at missingmanuals.com.

Deleting a Desktop

To delete the desktop you’re on, press Ctrl+ +F4. (You can also enter the
Timeline, point to one of the screen thumbnails without clicking, and click

the in its corner.)