Windows 10: When I try to open a new instance in a different virtual desktop I'm taken back to desktop...

Have MS fixed this yet?

:)

 

New instances of an application open in incorrect virtual desktop

Thanks for trying to help but I don't see how your instructions pertain to the question of: "Does anyone know how to ensure that when I open a new instance of an already active application it opens it in the current
virtual desktop, and not where the application was originally opened?"

The whole point of this thread is we don't think opening a new instance an already running application should change the current desktop view nor should we be tasked with moving the newly created application instance
(including remembering which desktop we were on).

The original request of "Does anyone know how to ensure that when I open a new instance of an already active application it opens it in the current virtual desktop, and
not where the application was originally opened?" is still germane after 3+ years.

As of now the only fix we have for this problem are partial fixes by third party tools. The only thing Microsoft has done is make it worse! The changes made in April 2018 update
to the task view (adding Timeline) created significant lag including the initial load of task view and dragging applications with the mouse. And to add insult, disabling the new Timeline function only cut down on some of the new lag without eliminating it.

This limitation (that the thread is about) is the reason I never ever recommend using virtual desktops to anyone. Come on MS fix this!

 

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.

 

Notepad++ one instance per each virtual desktop

Here is the hack that may work for you.

1. Two Portable Notepad++ in two separate folders. (It may work with one NPP installation, but two separate Notepad++ seem to be cleaner approach. You may also not need Portable Notepad++, but it may be easier that way.)
   
2. Two or more virtual desktops
   

1. Open Notepad++ folder on the first Virtual Desktop.
   
2. Right click on Notepad++.exe to create a shortcut.
   
3. Right click on the newly created shortcut and go to its properties.
   
4. Add -multiInst in the target section. (The text is case-sensitive, and there is a space at the beginning.)
   
5. Click OK to close the properties.
   
6. Double click on the shortcut.
   
7. It should open the new instance of Notepad++ in that virtual desktop.
   
8. Now switch to another Virtual Desktop. Open its own Notepad++ folder. And follow steps 2-7.
   
9. To keep things organized, I kept two folders, VM1 and VM2 with the notepad++ folders in them. (VM being Virtual Machine)
   

• This would work as long as the Notepad++ window in a virtual machine was Active, i.e. you had touched it at least once.
  
• This is because when you open text file (or your source code files), it opens in the Last Active instance of Notepad++.
  
• I am assuming that you are not changing your virtual desktops very frequently, since that would nullify the actual purpose of virtual desktops.
  

• You can right click on GIF and open it in new tab to see the steps clearly.
  
• GIF shows steps on one virtual desktop, you need to replicate it on the other too.
  
  
  
  
  

I hope it is helpful. Thanks.