Forum Discussion
Windows 11 - Different Icons in different Virtual Desktops
I don't know if the developers at windows will read this but thank you for the work you've done on virtual desktops in Windows 11.
However, it would also be great if Microsoft can work towards having different icons in different virtual desktops.
While i can change the backgrounds and rename them, it means I constantly need to open apps just to have them sitting in a specific desktop which in turn becomes memory heavy.
It would be great if i could demacate apps for separate use (e.g music production, video production, programming) into different desktops via the icons I've installed or created shortcuts for on the corresponding desktops.
That way when i switch desktops, the icons i see reflect the use or function of that desktop without me clicking on the start button to find apps needed or even seeing all apps for all functions pinned to the task bar or worse case scenario, all app icons for all functions in specific function desktops.
Thanks.
PS - another great improvement would be the ability to turn off recommendations on the start button or an option to show all apps (not just pinned ones) by default. It's hard getting used to this new way.
32 Replies
Hey guys, I was also wondering if there is such tool but did not find anything. So I just created a small bat script which creates a new desktop for you, and you can easily switch between multiple desktops
please see the description, there is also demo video attached
https://github.com/honmiv/windows-desktop-environment-switcher/
Its a bit different from what described in the topic, cause it does not create new "virtual environment" with new windows etc.., but it allows to hide all uncessary icons when you're in working mode for instance :)Mid 2025, and this still has not been picked up by Microsoft? I would like to use virtual desktops, but without the option to have different icons pinned on the different task bars virtual desktops are rather useless to me.
Quite honestly, I don't understand the use of Virtual desks if you can't personnalize the desk beyond its name or background.. You might as well just create a folder and change its logo and you'd pretty much get the same result, right?
Creating shortcuts available exclusively to one desk, or even better, setting favorites in your net explorer specifically in association with the desk concerned would be actual "multitasking", so why not?
I mean, even the argument of "grouping apps" to functions doesn't actually work, so really, what's the point? And I don't understand why close to a decade after its creation, these functions haven't been developped... It's crazy... lolHello Molenaar2,
I think this was addressed a few years by some of the commentators that Microsoft doesn't read the comments here. I tried to go through that route but that hasn't picked up either.
I really doubt this will be attended to at any point in the future from the look of things.
I commented earlier on this thread too as I completely agree with everything said. Given that people are recently commenting (I have notifications on) I would also like to reiterate how useful this feature would be, in the hope that Microsoft listens and does something about it. It would literally change my whole experience of Windows!
- Would like to revive this. The only major benefit to another desktop would be to create custom loadouts to change hats throughout the day, or have a desktop dedicated to education and labs without cluttering up primary workspace.
- Hi All.
I can't believe it's been almost 3 years since i made this post.
I cannot remember if i copied this to the Feedback hub but it's equally clear that Windows has no plans to do this. It's rather somesort of a shame as it's not enhanced the user experience all this while.
I hope someday, it becomes a reality but till then, we can only wish and dream these things.Gates still wants to run the planet.
He is still out there slithering around planting the seeds of ruination
- Fully agree. It should be a different workspace per desktop
- _Exactly_ what I'm looking for. They could add that functionality to the "Task View". To actually be able to make multiple desktops. No more moving everything around when you get a few more shortcuts on your DT.
- Unfortunately, the issue is still there and no time frame to get it fix. really a bad experience for insider.
Years later, nothing.
- Persuading the Microsoft team to recognize that the wheel has already been invented can be a challenge. Despite this, Microsoft's perspective is that any product failures they may have are overshadowed by what their competitors offer, focusing on new products and the sheer scale of Microsoft's endeavors. I have been using Virtual Desktop in conjunction with various other tools and applications for a while now.
My recommendation is for Microsoft to consider acquiring a virtual desktop software company and integrating their solution into Windows, rather than trying to start from scratch, which often leads to initial setbacks. Is this suggestion potentially misleading? Personally, I make use of "Stardock Fences" and "Start11", which provide a virtual desktop experience with a customizable menu and essential features. Noteworthy is the fact that each desktop comes with unique icons and a distinct Start menu, creating the sensation of operating a completely separate computer. - It's funny, I was just looking for the functions to do just that. I see some dates that are not too old. So here's to hoping. I'll keep looking for it, I guess.
- Come on Microsoft - time to implement this. Different backgrounds, persistent icons when I drag them to the relevant desktop etc.
- my guess is they are saveing custom icons and short cuts to virtual desk tops for windows 12 wich i hear is on the horizon so they can throw it as a selling point
The fact that you can research this and see so many "how to" videos of people doing this, showing how to groom multiple independent desktops...and I guess this is all FANTASY? Is really disturbing.
