How to Use Multiple Desktops on a Mac

Sat-May-2023
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Using multiple desktops on a Mac can help you organize your workspace and improve productivity by allowing you to have different sets of applications and windows on each desktop. Here’s how you can use multiple desktops on a Mac:

  1. Creating a New Desktop:
    • Click on the Mission Control icon in the Dock or swipe up with three or four fingers on your trackpad to enter Mission Control.
    • In Mission Control, you’ll see a row of desktops at the top of the screen. Move the cursor to the right edge of the screen, and a new desktop will appear.
    • Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Control + Up Arrow to enter Mission Control and then click on the “+” button in the upper right corner to add a new desktop.
  2. Switching Between Desktops:
    • To switch between desktops, you can use the Mission Control gesture (three or four fingers swipe up on the trackpad) or press Control + Left/Right Arrow keys.
    • You can also use Control + Number Keys (1, 2, 3, etc.) to switch directly to a specific desktop.
  3. Moving Windows Between Desktops:
    • In Mission Control, you’ll see a thumbnail view of all your desktops at the top of the screen.
    • To move a window to a different desktop, drag the window from the current desktop’s thumbnail and drop it onto the desired desktop’s thumbnail.
  4. Full-Screen Apps and Spaces:
    • Some apps have a full-screen mode, which automatically creates a new desktop for that app. Click on the green “Full Screen” button in the app’s title bar, or use the keyboard shortcut Control + Command + F.
    • You can switch between full-screen apps using the Control + Left/Right Arrow keys or by entering Mission Control.
  5. Closing Desktops:
    • To close a desktop, enter Mission Control and move the cursor to the top of the screen to reveal the desktop thumbnails.
    • Hover over the desktop you want to close, and an “X” button will appear in the upper-left corner of its thumbnail.
    • Click on the “X” button to close the desktop. Note that closing a desktop will move its windows to other open desktops.

Using multiple desktops can greatly enhance your workflow and help keep your workspace organized. Experiment with different setups and enjoy the benefits of a more efficient Mac experience!