Windows 10: Virtual Desktops - apps don't run as single instances

Hi there

Not sure if this is a real problem or merely a niggle -- I LIKE the idea of Virtual desktops but IMO shouldn't each desktop run an application unaware that another instance might be running on another desktop. The OS itself can keep track of shared storage areas etc so we aren't talking here about running separate virtual machines.

What I'm thinking of as an example is say I'm running EXCEL on VD1 and I'm downloading data from the web. On VD2 I should be able to start another instance of EXCEL and download data from another website.

BOTH applications should still run irrespective of which desktop is the active one. I get the impression that the NON active desktops don't still continue to run processes in the background if they are essentially a "shared process" like EXCEL.

However the implementation is not too bad -- Linux though does it much better with up to 24 desktops if you really need them. !!!

Cheers
jimbo

:)

 

New instances of an application open in incorrect virtual desktop

Hi Julian,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

Please reply: Is the issue confined to a single app or all the applications?

Are you able to open MS-Word on virtual desktops?



Virtual desktop works exactly the same as a normal desktop but making it more convenient and helping us organize our tasks.

There are a few applications whose instances can be created just once, e.g. Feedback app, therefore, when you create an instance of this app on a virtual desktop, it redirects you to the previous desktop.

However, you can create multiple instances of applications like MS-Word in virtual desktops. Once an instance of this application is closed, it will redirect you to the previously opened application. This is how virtual desktop works.



Hope this helps. Please respond if you have further related queries.

Regards,

 

New instances of an application open in incorrect virtual desktop

We know how it works... you do not need to tell us that... because we have been using Windows 10 for quite some time now.

What All the users here ask is how we disable those features...??

When we work on a given Virtual Desktop, we do not want Windows to drag us to any other virtual desktops that we have opened in our PCs.

We want to stay where we are.

So ANSWER THE QUESTION ASKED please...

 

I just did a simple experiment where I had 3 desktops open with a command prompt open in 2 of them. From the 2 command prompts, I then pinged different websites in each in a loop. I could switch to the 3rd desktop and when I clicked on the "Task View" icon on the Taskbar, I could see mini live views of each desktop and could see that the 2 running the ping command were updating even though neither was the active desktop. Seems to work like you want there.

In another test, I created 7 desktops (max I could do) then opened FireFox in 2 of them and played a different YouTube video in each. When I viewed the desktops from the "Task View" icon, I could see the 2 videos were running in their min views. I left the videos running and was able to use FireFox in another desktop to surf the web. I could hear the audio from each of the running videos and they didn't pause or stutter at all.

 

In my humble opinion, they're not truly virtual desktops, just a nifty UI for 'Open each folder in it's own window'/'Launch folder windows in separate process' in Folder Options.

It's actually a bigger pain; when typing this I had to check Explorer for a sec in monitor one so it hid Firefox on monitor two! That ain't right!

 

Hi there

Thanks -- that sounds really good -- I'm installing a load of stuff at the moment on 4 different machines !!! and have only got one slow laptop spare for internet and general use until the other installs / tests are complete. I'll try EXCEL with dynamic updates with say 3 different stocks on 3 different desktops as soon as I have a machine ready - but if it works like your test then that will suit me just fine !!

(Still got an "Irate woman" screaming at me begging to clear up all the hardware and cables I've got lying all round the house !!!!!).

Cheers
jimbo

 

If they were truly individual desktops, (like 'Desktops' from Sysinternals), then I shouldn't be able to close all Explorer windows from one VD even though they are all open in different VD's.





If you open Task Manger while 'VD-ing', there is several processes running but only one instance.
Some applications won't open more than one instance, it will kick you over to the VD running it.

 

Hi there

I agree with you but so long as the different VD's all keep running their apps even if they aren't the active desktop - that will I'm sure suit most users.

Can somebody try this - until I'm ready I can't test myself - open on VD1 and VD2 one instance of EXCEL. Now closing EXCEL on VD1 should still leave EXCEL running on VD2. You shouldn't be able to CLOSE the application started on VD1 from VD2.

Cheers
jimbo

 

You make some good points, you should submit them as feedback.

 

Now that works!!! *Biggrin





(but I can still close them all from one VD!)

 

Arrrgh! I uninstalled the 'Feedback' App! *Redface

 

I did as you described and was able to open and close the Excel workbooks from each VD. However, it's possible to close the Excel workbook in VD2 from VD1 via the Taskbar because everything is grouped on the Taskbar.

 

Hi there

That's OK though - I think I can live with that.

Thanks for testing -- still installing all my stuff before I get tossed into the shed with only the dog for company!!!

Cheers
jimbo

 

Not you, THEY did but I'm sure you'll find something (!"#$%&/()=?*) to say to them.

 

I originally thought the virtual desktops would hold some great potential and be usable for many purposes. But now I am getting the impression that they only act as if you had multiple monitors, you just can't see the other monitors until you switch to them.

I suppose the virtual description really does not give you protection from a virus if you happen to run into one while surfing from a virtual desktop, as a virtual machine might do. Calling them virtual may even give some folks the wrong impression and a false sense of security.

You can move windows to and from the other desktops which is good, but the implementation of the virtual desktops seems to be problematic. If I see a need to use them, I may adjust, however.

Edit: I am just starting to realize there is a difference between a Virtual Monitor and Virtual Desktop. I was trying to turn them into virtual Desktops so I am starting to understand the limitation and see they will not be as useful as I had hoped....and should really be called Virtual Monitors .