The virtual desktop feature has been part of Windows 10 for a long time. With virtual desktops, users can create multiple desktop spaces. For instance, you can open and use your office applications in one virtual desktop and use another virtual desktop for casual web browsing and other things.
In Windows 10, one can access virtual desktops by simultaneously pressing the Windows logo and Tab keys or clicking on the Task View button on the taskbar (if you have not removed it from the taskbar).
Until now, Windows 10 did not allow users to set different wallpapers for each virtual desktop. That is, when you apply a new desktop background, the same would appear across all virtual desktops. Although third-party tools have been existed for a long time to change virtual desktop backgrounds, nothing beats an in-built option.
Some time back, Microsoft added the ability to rename virtual desktops. This time around, we have the option to have different desktop backgrounds for all virtual desktops.
Windows 10 offers three ways to change the desktop background of virtual desktops.
IMPORTANT: You must be running Windows 10 build 21337 or later to change the virtual desktop background. If you are running an earlier version, use this free software.
Method 1 of 3
Change virtual desktop background via Windows + Tab screen
Step 1: Simultaneously press the Windows logo and Tab keys on the keyboard to view all virtual desktops. Alternatively, click on the Task View button on the taskbar to open the same screen.
Step 2: Perform a right-click on the virtual desktop where you want to change the desktop background and then click the Choose background option. If the Choose background option does not show up, it is likely because your Windows 10 build does not support the feature yet.
Tip: Right-clicking on a virtual desktop tile also displays options to move it to the left or right and rename it.
Step 3: Clicking the Choose background option will open the Settings > Personalization > Background page. Here, either click on one of the recently used background pictures or click on the Browse button, choose a background and then click the Open button to apply the newly selected desktop background picture.
Method 2 of 3
Change the virtual desktop background picture via Settings in Windows 10
Step 1: When using a virtual desktop, perform a right-click on an empty spot on the desktop and then click the Personalization option.
Step 2: Here, in the Choose your picture section, click on one of the recently used pictures to set it as the desktop background. If you would instead like to have a different picture, click on the Browse button, select an image of your choice, and then click on the Open button. Simple as that!
Method 3 of 3
Change the virtual desktop background via File Explorer in Windows 10
Step 1: Launch the File Explorer and navigate to the folder containing the picture you want to set as the current virtual desktop background.
Step 2: Perform a right-click on the picture file and click the Set as desktop background option to set it as the current virtual desktop background picture.
How to change Windows 11 wallpaper guide might also interest you.
jeff maschler says
I keep telling the boss how much better linux is at just about everything. This feature seems like an obvious usability feature. But what does MS care about usability? Even the link to freeware doesnt work based on its comments.
How bogus!
biyui says
Totally a waste of time.
Sergey says
What a waste of time is this article!
Nuck Figgers says
Clickbait article, as of january 2023 you need to be on the latest DEV build to have this feature.
Anurag Kumar says
For anyone wondering why this is not working in their pc let me state that this is does not work anymore because it is a insider feature and is now moved to windows 11.
Downward Spiral Race to the Bottom says
Another disgruntled reader lamenting the author’s lack of knowing – or even being concerned with – their audience. Just reinstalled Win 10 on laptop with 21H2 and having to go through the headache of fiding these instructions unusable and unacknowledged as not being generally available. Pretty sneaky holding the reader hostage till the end of the article to find out it’s a Developer only feature.
And, hey, Microsoft – this was available only a right-click on the desktop away for linux in 1997!
Ham McG says
When I re-enabled Bing Wallpaper after disabling it, only the desktop I was using to re-enable changed. My second desktop has been on the same wallpaper for a week, while desktop 2 changes every day. Which is what I wanted, different desktop, different wallpaper.
zai says
I hope the articles emphasized which build this feature is applicable. with all that text, some details get buried. i admit, im too lazy to read all these and would usually rely on pics – which i think most of us do.
i dont blame the author for making this tutorial but i just hope the essential requirement gets highlighted. put some red box or something..
R says
This feature does not exist.
Jeremy says
have updated to 21H2 just for the virtual desktop background personalization and whaddayaknow – feature doesn’t exist
Derk says
If you are running the normal Windows 10 current version (21H1, 19043) try WS Virtual Desktop Tool for wallpaper functionality and shortcuts etc.
mdccxlv says
Yeah, the author is just listing the build number, without mentioning that it is only available on the Dev channel, which is definitely not recommended for the regular user. Very misleading. Great job, mister author!
Hongstan says
Thanks for the info, but I have tried all the 3 methods and it doesn’t work for me. I am using 4 virtual desktop which I don’t don’t it matter right? I tried to set it but all the virtual desktop will show the same background. I am on Windows 10 Enterprise, Version 21H1 Build 19043.1081, kindly do advise how to set different background on my platform
ahjelbek says
Ok, I indeed missed this Build by just having only the stable ones installed. I fixed it and am updating now to 10.0.21390.1000 (co_release). Let’s see, You might delete my whole garbage ;-)
ahjelbek says
I was looking for this for a while now. Unfortunately it does not work if You have 4 monitors and 6 or less virtual Desktops. And I always had the newest version of Win running. The Build is 21H1 and 19043.1052 wich both do not match the one in the description. But it is definitely the utmost latest version here because I use the support explorer and get the earliest builds. But it looks like I’m hanging behind now and have to check this seriously and will try and send a ticket to the support if they can help me.
But thanx for Your article