← Back to Docs

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 General, turn on Virtual desktop linking.
  4. Click Save Changes.

Once enabled, you can link individual WorkTop desktops to specific Windows virtual desktops.

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.

Automatic desktop creation

When you create a new Windows virtual desktop (for example, with Win+Ctrl+D), WorkTop detects it and offers to create a new WorkTop desktop and link it automatically. You can choose Create & Link to set it up in one click, or dismiss the prompt.

If you prefer not to be prompted, check Don't ask again in the dialog.

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.

Desktop previews in the Manager and Quick Switcher show the wallpaper each desktop displays.

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.
  • The Quick Switcher can be disabled in Settings under Keyboard Shortcuts if you prefer to rely entirely on Windows virtual desktop navigation.