Windows 10: How do I set Windows 11 to always start on Virtual Desktop 1?

I am rebooting my machine to get clean state. To start from scratch. Windows remembering previous workspace is not a clean state. All programs are stopped after reboot nothing is running anyway. What's the point of staying on 3rd or 5th desktop? It is empty. Every single time a start programs, I put them into places I need them to be for my current task.. only to find out that I am on freaking 3rd workspace and now I need to move everything back to 1st. Microsoft! Stop deciding for me how I should work. It is annoying to now end!

:)

 

How do I set Windows 11 to always start on Virtual Desktop 1?

Hello,

I'm having trouble with how Windows 11 starts up using virtual desktops. When I turn off my computer and turn it on again, Windows 11 always puts me back on the last virtual desktop I used. This means I'm not sure which desktop I start at.

In Windows 10, it always started on virtual desktop 1, which was handy because all the apps that start with the computer would show up there, making finding them very predictable. But with Windows 11, it remembers the last desktop I used before turning off, so all the starting apps show up on that one. This makes it hard to find them because they end up on different desktops unexpectedly.

To keep things neat and easy to find, I have to manually move each starting app to virtual desktop 1. Is there a way to make sure Windows 11 always starts on Virtual Desktop 1? Or maybe a way to make certain apps move to Virtual Desktop 1 by themselves? If there's no direct way, I don't mind trying out scripts. I'd really appreciate any help you can give.

Thanks a lot!

 

How do I set Windows 11 to always start on Virtual Desktop 1?

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

Windows 11 doesn't have a built-in option to set a specific virtual desktop as the default startup desktop. The behavior you're describing, where Windows 11 starts on the last virtual desktop you used, is the default behavior. However, there might be some workarounds you can try:

1. Script or Task Scheduler: You can create a script that will automatically move all the apps to Virtual Desktop 1 on startup. This script could be triggered through the Windows Task Scheduler to run at startup. You would need to use a scripting language like PowerShell to achieve this.
   
2. Third-Party Software: There might be third-party applications or utilities available that allow you to customize virtual desktop behavior in Windows 11. However, I recommend being cautious when using third-party software, as it can affect system stability and security.
   
3. Provide Feedback to Microsoft: If this is a feature you'd like to see in Windows 11, consider providing feedback to Microsoft through the Feedback Hub app.
   
4. Consider Using Workspaces: Windows 11 introduces the concept of "Workspaces" that allow you to group apps together. You might want to experiment with this feature to see if it helps you achieve the organization you're looking for.
   

Please feel free to let me know if you have any further updates, thanks.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

Disabling Windows 11 Animations breaks virtual desktops

Hi, BroManDudeGuyPhD

Welcome to the MicroSoft Community.



I apologize for any inconvenience you're experiencing with the virtual desktop animations in Windows 11. Disabling animations might affect certain functionalities, including the smooth transition between virtual desktops. However, there are a few things you can try to improve the performance while keeping animations turned off:

1. Update your graphics drivers: Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can cause performance issues. Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer and download the latest drivers for your specific model.
   
2. Adjust virtual desktop settings: You can try adjusting the virtual desktop settings to optimize performance. Right-click on the Taskbar and select "Taskbar settings." Under the "Multiple displays" section, toggle off "Show taskbar on all displays" if it's enabled. This might help improve the responsiveness when switching between desktops.
   
3. Disable unnecessary startup programs: Some programs might start automatically with Windows and run in the background, consuming system resources. To disable these startup programs, right-click on the Taskbar, select "Task Manager," go to the "Startup" tab, and disable any programs that aren't essential.
   
4. Enable "High Performance" power plan: Windows power plans can affect system performance. To ensure maximum performance, go to Settings > System > Power & sleep, and under the "Related settings" section, click on "Additional power settings." Select the "High performance" power plan if it's available.
   

If these steps don't resolve the issue, you may consider re-enabling the animations temporarily to restore the smooth transition between virtual desktops. Remember to restart your computer after making any changes for them to take effect.



Best Regards

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist