At the time of its launch, it was a novelty that could not go unnoticed and that would help users of Windows to organize much better. Its about Windows 10 desktop, which allowed users to be able work more effectively when you have many applications open simultaneously.
In general terms, it could be said that a virtual desktop It is the one in which they have as a species of several monitors working in parallel, but instead of being in the physical world, they meet virtually. In other words, they all work on the same monitor.
This alternative was a revolution at the time and came to facilitate the work of people who require it. Therefore, we provide you with useful information regarding Windows 10 desktop, what it is for and how you can customize it according to your specific needs.
What is the Windows 10 desktop and what is it for in the OS?
If you are a person who uses different applications or programs at the same time, the functionality of create virtual desktops It may be essential for you. Specifically in the case of Windows 10, inserted this option for all those who require having on the same monitor programs and apps working simultaneously. In this sense, you should know that despite all being open on the same screen, each program runs and works independently from the desk.
That is to say, they are only shown and associated with one of them. This will help you, for example if you are using Word on a desktop, in another you have an editing program open and in other leisure applications. You will ask yourself, why is it of great help? The answer is because it allows you not to have all of them visible at the same time, and thus you will avoid de-concentrating while using each one.
If you have ever tried to change from one program to another with the keyboard commands Alt + Tab and you have taken a long time to find what you are looking for, without a doubt Using the Windows 10 desktop will be very efficient. In summary, with this option users can organize themselves much better when they work with many apps open at the same time.
How to create virtual desktops in Windows 10?
If the issue of virtual desktopsThe next step on the list is to learn how to create them. It really is a job that takes a few seconds and allows you be much more organized and productive.
In this way, the steps to follow are:
- Go to the Taskbar of Windows 10.
- Tap the icon Task View. It should be noted that the image of this icon varies according to the version you use because it has undergone changes over time.
- If you do not find that option, you can also activate the desks of Windows 10 by clicking on the Windows key + Tab.
- All applications will be displayed that you have open on your current desktop.
- To add an additional desktop, select the option New desktop.
- Repeat the process to add as many desks as you want.
Learn step by step how to fully customize the Windows 10 desktop
Another positive detail of windows 10 desktop, is that you can customize it to fit your specific needs. Options like changing wallpaper, customizing the taskbar and much more, will make your computer experience more satisfying.
If you want to learn step by step how to customize different sections of your desktop, read on:
Change wallpaper
- Go to Setting Windows.
- Click on the section Personalization. There you can modify the appearance of Windows.
- Choose Background in the left side column.
- A screen will appear where you can make the adjustments you need. Within the section BackgroundThere are three different modes you can choose from: image, solid color or presentation.
If you want have a different background than those on your computer, you can search them on the Internet, save them and set them as background image. On the other hand, you can also have a wallpaper in the style of macOS, which is changed according to the time of day. To do this, you can use tools like WinDynamicDesktop.
Put in light or dark mode
He dark mode both mobile and computer is here to stay. Many users are lovers of this functionality, because they find it more comfortable to look at.
If you want to configure your Windows 10 desktop with this, follow the procedure below:
- Go into Windows settings.
- Tap on Personalization.
- Go to the section of Colors, located second in the left column.
- Then select in Choose color. There the light and dark themes. In the clear, the desk is shown in pale blue tones. With the dark theme, everything turns black.
Something even more personalized is that if you choose the theme Personalized you have the option to configure Windows mode and application mode separately. This means that you can make the taskbar or even the Start Menu They are light or dark, while the apps and the interior of the windows will be of an opposite color.
Customize shortcut icons
On some occasions, it may some desktop icons are hidden. If you want to see them, you must right-click on the desktop. Then select View / Show desktop icons.
If you want to add more like the Recycle Bin, do the following:
- Select the Windows start button.
- Go to Settings / Personalization / Themes.
- Within Themesgo to Related settings and click on Desktop Icon Settings.
- Choose the additional icons you want to have on the desktop. Then click Apply and then, in To accept.
As additional information, keep in mind that if you are in tablet mode all desktop icons may not display correctly. If this is your case, find the program you want by searching for its name in the File Browser. If you want disable tablet modego to Activities Center inside the taskbar (located next to the date and time) and then tap on Tablet mode to enable or disable the option.
To change the shortcut icons, the step by step is:
- Right click on the shortcut.
- Enter the Properties.
- Go to the tab of Direct access and tap on Change icon.
- Explore until I find him icon you want.
Customize taskbar
It is also possible configure the taskbar, to include only everything you use the most. It is very easy and fast. First, to change the location of it right click on the taskbar and uncheck Lock taskbar, option that is in the popup menu.
After that, you can now start customizing the bar seamlessly. To make it biggerPut the pointer at one end. To move it elsewhere, hold down the left click and move it to either side of the screen.
For more personalized options, you have to:
- Right-click on the taskbar.
- Select option Taskbar settings.
- Once inside you can disable the Badges, which are the notification bubbles of the apps in the taskbar. It is also possible choose which icons to display in the task bar. Another setting you can choose is to automatically hide the bar when the mouse pointer is lowered, etc.
Modify mouse pointer
Moreover, you can customize mouse pointer in case you don't like the design of it.
What you should do is:
- Press the key combination Windows + U.
- In the section of Accessibilityclick Cursor and pointer size in the left column. There you can choose its thickness and size.
- You can also modify the color in the section of Change pointer color, located just below the resize option.
If you want to use a much more personalized one, you should resort to downloading one on websites such as DeviantArt. To do so, download the model that you like the most in C: Windows Cursors. Subsequently, it enters the Windows settings and go to Devices. Tap on the option Mouse in the left column and then select in Additional mouse options, to display the mouse properties. Once it opens, go to the tab Pointers and then select the one you want to change for the one you have downloaded.
Once it's selected, it's time to click the button Examine to start the process of change. Next, you will see that a screen opens with the route C: Windows Cursors where we indicate that you should download the new pointers. To end the process, it remains only to open the design you prefer and repeat the procedure with the rest of the cursor modes.
Modify folder icons
It is possible that you do not like the icon of a folder and prefer to modify it. To be able to do it, you first have to resort to websites where you can download free icons, such as Icons8 or in Visualpharm.
Once you do, you must:
- Go to file explorer and right click in the folder whose icon you are going to change.
- When the pop-up menu is displayed, tap Properties.
- Go to the option of Change icon.
- The pop-up window will show the icons created by microsoft, but to select the ones you already downloaded, tap Examine.
- Locate the folder where you have saved the new icon.
In case you want to change the desktop icons such as the one in the Recycle Bin, do the following:
- Enter the Windows settings.
- Tap in the section Personalization.
- On the left side, tap Themes.
- Scroll down to the end and select an option called Desktop Icon Settings.
- Decide which icons to use, which will be visible and much more in the window that will open.
Change Windows sounds
In the world of computers, there are all kinds of users. On the one hand there are some who prefer to avoid sounds, while there are others who like custom sounds.
In any case, to change or eliminate sounds, follow the procedure mentioned below:
- Go to the start menu and type "Change sounds".
- Tap on the option Change system sounds.
- The window of Windows sounds and then in the tab of Sounds.
- Check the list of operating system sounds until you get the one you prefer. Press on it and then touch the button Try to hear it.
- Equally, you can search the computer for more sounds with format .wav you want to use by clicking the button Examine.
Customize the lock screen
For its part, it is also possible make changes to the lock screen. The first step is to enter Windows settings. Then go to Personalization, which is where you can modify the appearance of Windows. When you locate there, in the left column tap on Lock screen. Then a dropdown will open where you can change the Background, customize the lock screen applications, among other changes.
Add new features
Apart from the basic modifications that we mentioned earlier, it is also possible add new functionality to your Windows 10 desktop. Many of them are designed by Microsoft, as in the case of Windows PowerToys.
Windows PowerToys it's an official utility set that advanced users can take advantage of to apply advanced functionalities in Windows 10. In this way, it is possible to get the most out of the operating system. It should be noted that they focus mainly on those who want to be more efficient when using their computer. With that set you can, for example, give it dynamic corners like in GNU / Linux or add the Preview function with space, like in macOS.
In this sense, the PowerToys currently available are:
- PowerRename
- Fancy Zones
- Shortcut
- File Explorer (Preview Panes)
- Image Resizer
- Window walker