Why virtual desktops are so useful - and my top 4 tips for beginners

Tech Home Tech Services & Software Operating Systems Why virtual desktops are so useful - and my top 4 tips for beginners Is your PC desktop too cluttered? Virtual desktops can help you organize apps and reduce distractions. Here's how. Written by Jack Wallen, Contributing WriterContributing Writer April 28, 2026 at 6:33 a.m. PT Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET key takeaways Virtual Desktops are a great way to improve efficiency.Every desktop OS has the feature built in.These tips help me use VDs with a high level of effectiveness.When I first started using Linux in the late 90s, one of the features that I found so helpful was called Virtual Desktops (sometimes called "Workspaces"). Yep, that's right, Linux had them first, and the open-source OS has retained the feature ever since.Even better, the other two operating systems (MacOS and Windows) eventually realized how helpful the feature was and decided to implement it. Eventually, even ChromeOS picked up on virtual desktops. Also: My 5 favorite open source operating systems that aren't LinuxTo some, Virtual Desktops are a must-use. To others, they are something to try and eventually forget. Finally, there are others who simply don't bother. If you are part of the last two groups, know that you're missing out on a feature that can help keep your desktop organized and you working at a higher level of efficiency. What I want to do is discuss how these features can be used to help you out. I'm going to speak to this subject not specific to an OS or desktop, but in general; that way, everyone can get the most out of Virtual Desktops and Workspaces. So, whether you use ChromeOS, Linux, MacOS, or Windows, this is how you use your desktop in the most efficient manner. What are Virtual Desktops? Virtual Desktops are a feature found on desktop operating systems that serve as separate, virtualized workspaces, so users can better organize apps and windows into distinct screens on a single monitor. Think of Virtual Desktops as a way to use multiple monitors on a single display. Each virtual desktop acts as an independent desktop, so you can focus apps for a single task. Here's what I mean.Also: You can use Linux 7.0 on these 7 distros today - here's what to expectLet's say you use your web browser, email client, Trello, and Slack for work productivity. You could create a desktop dedicated to that. Or maybe you use your web browser and word processor for writing. You might even have a collection of games that you play. To make your life easier, create a workspace for each task and open the associated windows to the related workspace. When you need to do something productive, switch to your productivity workspace. If you need to do some shopping, make the switch to another. You then need to do some work on your latest novel, so you switch to that desktop. You could even open one browser window in one workspace, another in a second, and yet another in a third. Essentially, Virtual Desktops make it easier for you to combine related apps together in a way that makes them easier to find and use.But why use Virtual Desktops when you can go with multi-monitor setups? First of all -- money. Multiple monitors can cost you a bit of coinage, and to some, that puts them out of reach. Also: How much RAM does Linux really need in 2026? My sweet spot after decades of useAnother reason is space. Your desktop (or your lap) might not have room for…

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