Windows 10: How do I open the existing instance of an app from another virtual desktop?

Discus and support How do I open the existing instance of an app from another virtual desktop? in Windows 10 Customization to solve the problem; A simple scenario. I am on Virtual Desktop 1. Google Chrome is running on VD 2. I have Chrome pinned to my taskbar. Now I click the Chrome icon on... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Customization' started by mrdaihard, Jul 2, 2020.

  1. MRDAIHARD
    mrdaihard Win User

    How do I open the existing instance of an app from another virtual desktop?


    A simple scenario. I am on Virtual Desktop 1. Google Chrome is running on VD 2. I have Chrome pinned to my taskbar.


    Now I click the Chrome icon on taskbar on VD 1, expecting Windows 10 to jump to the existing instance of Chrome running on VD 2. However, this opens a new instance of Chrome on VD 1. That's not the behaviour I want.


    I tried right-clicking the Chrome icon and selecting "Google Chrome" instead of "New Window." Again, it opens a new instance of Chrome on VD 1.


    In KDE Plasma, by contrast, you can click the app icon on the taskbar and choose any of the existing instances to jump to. If that instance is on a different VD, you will be redirected to it. If you do want a new instance, you can right-click the icon and choose "Start New Instance."


    How can I access the existing instance of an application running on a different virtual desktop?


    Thank you

    :)
     
    mrdaihard, Jul 2, 2020
    #1
  2. SASUKE10125
    sasuke10125 Win User

    can't open new instances of an application from taskbar

    I have any program open. I right click the shortcut for it in the taskbar and a list of option comes out. But then when i try to open another instance of the program from that list by clicking on the option with the icon and program name, nothing happens.
    How do I make it so that it opens another instance instead of doing nothing?
     
    sasuke10125, Jul 2, 2020
    #2
  3. NYIMA YONTEN
    Nyima Yonten Win User
    How to open app on another virtual desktop?

    Hi Radim,



    Thank you for your response with the current update on the issue.

    As per the issue description, currently there is no option to set File Explorer or a certain program to open specific in a particular Virtual Desktop.I suggest you to provide your valuable feedback and suggestion in the
    Windows Feedback app.

    Please get back to us with an update on issue with using virtual desktop, we will be happy to help.



    Thank you.
     
    Nyima Yonten, Jul 2, 2020
    #3
  4. KAMAKI007
    kamaki007 Win User

    How do I open the existing instance of an app from another virtual desktop?

    New instances of an application open in incorrect virtual desktop

    When virtual desktop was first introduced it worked fine. You could open multiple instances of an app in another desktop without being auto swiped back to former desktop where app is already running. After some Windows updates I had the same issues which
    is very counterproductive.
     
    kamaki007, Jul 2, 2020
    #4
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How do I open the existing instance of an app from another virtual desktop?

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