&Mike.McBride;
&Jost.Schenck;
&tde-authors;
2010
&Mike.McBride;
&Jost.Schenck;
&tde-copyright-date;
&tde-team;
&tde-release-version;
Reviewed: &tde-release-date;
TDE
KControl
System Settings
desktop

## Multiple Desktops

### Introduction

&tde; supports multiple desktops, widely known as virtual desktops.

Virtual desktops are like having multiple computers. In older operating systems, users had access only to one desktop. Virtual desktops work much the same way as having multiple computers. Many users configure their virtual desktops by grouping similar tasks.

Virtual desktops apply only to each user's session. Other users logged in also can define virtual desktops.

### Number of Desktops

&tde; offers the possibility to define up to 20 virtual desktops. In this module you can configure the number of desktops as well as names. Use the slider or spinner widgets to adjust the number of desktops. Assign names to the desktops by entering text into the respective text fields.

### Desktop Switching

There are several ways to switch to the different desktops.

When you enable Mouse wheel over desktop switches desktop, then scrolling the wheel over an empty space on the desktop will change to the next virtual desktop numerically, in the direction scrolled. Scrolling forward (up) will select the desktop in the next numerical order. Scrolling backwards (down) will do the opposite.

Keyboard shortcuts provide a way to switch desktops. For virtual desktops 1 through 12, use &Ctrl;F1, &Ctrl;F2, &Ctrl;F3, etc. For virtual desktops 13 through 20, use &Ctrl;&Shift;F1, &Ctrl;&Shift;F2, &Ctrl;&Shift;F3, etc.

Another keyboard shortcut includes &Ctrl;&Tab;.

A feature called Active Desktop Borders can be used with the mouse pointer to switch desktops. This feature is configured in the Window Behavior Advanced module.

Another method is to install the Desktop Preview & and Pager Menu panel applet. The default &tde; desktop has this applet already installed with a default number of virtual desktops set to four. When this applet is installed in the panel, miniature desktops can be viewed and selected with the mouse pointer.

Like the desktop mouse wheel scrolling support, the scroll wheel can be used with the pager applet too.

The Desktop Preview & and Pager Menu panel applet has its own set of configuration options. Like many panel applets, the Desktop Preview & and Pager Menu panel applet has a handle, from which a popup menu appears when using the &RMB;. When the popup menu appears, select the Desktop Preview & Pager Menu option, then select the Pager Options submenu option.