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Virtual Desktop Linking

Link your WorkTop desktops to Windows virtual desktops. When you switch virtual desktops using Win+Ctrl+Arrow, Task View, or trackpad gestures, WorkTop automatically switches to the linked desktop. Your files follow your workspace.

Enabling virtual desktop linking

  1. Open the Manager window (double-click the tray icon, or launch WorkTop from the Start menu).
  2. Go to Settings in the sidebar.
  3. Under Virtual desktops, turn on Virtual desktop linking.
  4. In the modal, select which behaviours you want.
    • WorkTop manages wallpapers (Pro only): when enabled, WorkTop is in charge of your wallpapers. If you want to use per-monitor wallpapers with virtual desktops, this is required. See Wallpaper with virtual desktop linking.
    • Two-way linking: when enabled, switching desktops in WorkTop using Alt+W or desktop hotkeys also switches to the linked virtual desktop. See Two-way linking.
  5. Click Enable linking.
  6. Click Save Changes.

Once enabled, you can link individual WorkTop desktops to specific Windows virtual desktops. The same modal opens when you turn on linking during onboarding.

With both options enabled, WorkTop removes any backgrounds set in Windows for your virtual desktops so it can manage your wallpapers. Your screen may flash for a moment when you save. See Wallpaper with virtual desktop linking.

Linking a desktop

  1. In the Manager, click the ... menu on a desktop card.
  2. Select Link to Virtual Desktop.
  3. A dialog shows a list of all your Windows virtual desktops. Virtual desktops already linked to other WorkTop desktops are shown greyed out.
  4. Click a virtual desktop to select it, then click Link.

A link icon appears on the desktop card to indicate it is linked. The linking is one-to-one: each WorkTop desktop can be linked to one virtual desktop, and each virtual desktop can only be linked to one WorkTop desktop.

Unlinking a desktop

  1. Click the ... menu on a linked desktop card.
  2. Select Manage Virtual Desktop Link.
  3. Click the currently linked virtual desktop to deselect it, then click Unlink.

Two-way linking (experimental)

With Two-way linking turned on, switching desktops in WorkTop also switches Windows to the linked virtual desktop. This applies however you switch: the Quick Switcher, desktop hotkeys, the tray menu, the right-click menu, the Manager or a schedule. Switching to a desktop that is not linked leaves Windows on the current virtual desktop.

When disabled, switching virtual desktops using Task View or Ctrl+Win+Arrow switches the WorkTop desktop, but not the other way around.

New virtual desktops

The New virtual desktops setting decides what WorkTop does when you create a virtual desktop in Windows, for example with Win+Ctrl+D:

  • Ask (default): WorkTop offers to create a WorkTop desktop and link it. Click Create & Link to set it up in one click, or No Thanks to leave the virtual desktop unlinked. Checking Don't ask again changes the setting to Do nothing.
  • Create a linked desktop: WorkTop creates a WorkTop desktop and links it without asking.
  • Do nothing: the new virtual desktop stays unlinked.

The free version is limited to three WorkTop desktops. Once you reach the limit, new virtual desktops are not linked to a WorkTop desktop. Upgrade to Pro for unlimited desktops.

Create a virtual desktop for new WorkTop desktops (experimental)

Turn on Create a virtual desktop for new WorkTop desktops in Settings to give every desktop you create in WorkTop its own Windows virtual desktop, linked and ready to use. This setting requires two-way linking.

Wallpaper behavior

Whether WorkTop or Windows sets the background is controlled by WorkTop manages wallpapers in Settings, described under Wallpaper with virtual desktop linking.

With WorkTop manages wallpapers turned off, Windows manages the background of every virtual desktop, and WorkTop does not set, save, or restore wallpapers during desktop switches. With it turned on, WorkTop applies each desktop's wallpaper on every switch.

Orphaned links

If you delete a Windows virtual desktop that was linked to a WorkTop desktop, the link becomes orphaned. The desktop card shows a red broken link icon to indicate this. WorkTop will also show a Windows notification to let you know.

To resolve it, open the link dialog from the desktop card menu and either link to a different virtual desktop or click Unlink to remove the stale link.

Things to know

  • There may be a brief delay between switching virtual desktops and WorkTop switching the linked desktop. This is normal and depends on how quickly Windows reports the switch.
  • WorkTop manages wallpapers decides which of the two controls the background. Turned off, wallpaper management belongs to Windows entirely and a desktop's custom wallpaper has no effect. Turned on, WorkTop applies each desktop's wallpaper on every switch.
  • You do not need to link every virtual desktop. Unlinked virtual desktops simply do not trigger a WorkTop switch.
  • With two-way linking on, a scheduled switch can be skipped while a window running as administrator is in the foreground. See Scheduled Switching.
  • The Quick Switcher can be disabled in Settings under Keyboard Shortcuts if you prefer to rely entirely on Windows virtual desktop navigation.