Managing your screen well is important for getting more done on Macs. This detailed guide goes over all the details of managing multiple desktops and gives users useful tips and step-by-step directions. By building and customizing desktop spaces and using mission control tools, readers will fully understand how to improve their workflow.
With the tips in this EveryReview blog post, you can get the most out of your Mac and get better at managing your screen. Stay tuned for a trip into the world of easily switching between tasks and getting more done on your Mac.
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Why opt for multiple desktops on your Mac?
You might not think you need more than one area on your Mac at first, but think about what you do every day online. How many programs do you usually have open at the same time? Do you keep minimizing and expanding apps to make room on your screen, but then you forget about them? Having multiple desktops on your Mac isn’t just a way to save room; it’s also a smart way to improve your workflow and get more done.
Instead of minimizing and resurfacing apps like most people do, learning how to move between screens makes the experience more focused and streamlined. Here are strong arguments for using more than one screen on your Mac:
Easy organization of your apps
With separate screen areas, you can keep all of your important apps open and simple to reach. Say goodbye to the trouble of quitting and minimizing apps; the benefits are clear as soon as you learn how to switch between computers and organize your apps well.
More quickly getting to tools
Finding a specific app can take a lot of time for people who have a lot of open apps at once. You can easily find the app you want by switching between multiple screens instead of having to look through apps that are minimized or in the background.
Perfect for various screens
If you have more than one monitor, you can customize your display more than you can with a single Mac screen by connecting them to more than one workspace. You can make your office more flexible and useful by extending your display across multiple monitors and setting up virtual desktops in the way you like.
Use your Mac’s multiple desktops to their full potential and watch your digital process change. The benefits go beyond just being convenient; they also give you a planned and organized way to handle your tasks and applications well.
How to Create a Virtual Desktop on a Mac
Today, we’re going to talk about how to use Mission Control and a tool called Spaces to make a new desktop on your Mac. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Trackpad with Gesture Control
Use four fingers to swipe up on your Mac’s keyboard to get to Mission Control.
If you have a magic mouse, you can also double-tap with two fingers to get the same result.
Shortcut on Keyboard
If you like to use a computer, press F3 to quickly get to Mission Control.
Do a search for “Mission Control” in Spotlight by pressing Command + Space for another quick entry.
Make a fresh screen
To find the “+” icon in Mission Control, look in the upper right part of the screen. For more space on your screen, click on the plus sign.
Spaces make it easy to handle multiple desktops, which makes your work flow better.
Note:
As you start to use Spaces, you might want to add Mission Control Plus to make it better.
One problem with the Mission Control view is that it can’t close windows that are already open. Mission Control Plus fixes this problem by adding an “X” button to all Mission Control apps that are open. This useful feature lets you clean up each workspace quickly by closing windows that you don’t need, which makes multitasking easier.
It is important to note that Mission Control Plus works perfectly with standard Mac tools, making the Mission Control view the easiest to use.
As you get better at using your Mac, learn how to set up virtual screens with Spaces. Mission Control Plus will also help you be more productive. By following these simple steps, you can organize and manage your desktop areas more efficiently, which will speed up your work.
Creating multiple desktops on your Mac
Unlock the full potential of your Mac by creating and organizing multiple desktops, providing up to 16 spaces for a tailored and efficient digital experience. Each workspace can have a distinct desktop picture, making navigation seamless and visually intuitive. Whether you’re managing various tasks or communication channels, multiple desktops offer a versatile solution.
- Task-Specific Desktops: Design unique desktops for specific tasks, such as email management, ensuring a dedicated space for focused communication.
- Adding Desktops: Access Mission Control and tap the “+” icon to effortlessly create a new desktop. After that, tap the icon multiple times to generate additional desktops based on your workflow needs.
- Navigation: Swipe left or right with four fingers on your trackpad to move between desktops. Alternatively, use keyboard shortcuts: Control + right arrow or Control + left arrow.
- Enhancing Productivity with a Second Monitor: Consider expanding your digital workspace by connecting a second monitor to your Mac. Follow these steps for a seamless experience:
- Connecting the Monitor: Plug the display cable into the appropriate port on your Mac, considering different ports or adapters based on your Mac model.
- Remote Desktops: Extend your workspace further by connecting a remote desktop, ideal for accessing multiple remote Macs.
- Remote Login Setup: On your Mac, navigate to the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Sharing. Turn on remote login and select users for remote access or control.
- Logging in remotely: On another computer, open Terminal and type the ssh command (ssh username@hostname). Enter your password for secure remote access.
Tip for advanced users
For a comprehensive remote desktop experience, consider using applications like Screens, which offer features like easy connection to Windows-based computers, multiple displays, and a curtain mode for enhanced privacy during remote access. Screens provide a superior solution for those regularly sharing screens on Mac or PC.
Empower your Mac experience by embracing multiple desktops and extending your workspace with a second monitor. Whether managing tasks locally or accessing remote Macs, these strategies enhance your productivity and streamline your digital workflow.
Easily switch and manage desktops on your Mac
Navigating between different desktops on your Mac is a breeze with these simple options:
- Trackpad, or Magic Mouse: Swipe left or right with three fingers on a trackpad, or use two fingers on a Magic Mouse for quick desktop switching.
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Press Control + Right or Left arrow keys for an efficient switch between desktops.
- Mission Control: Enter Mission Control, move the pointer to the top screen edge, and click a space in the Spaces bar for a visual overview of your desktops.
- Touch Bar (for Macs with Touch Bar): Set the option in keyboard settings to display spaces in the touch bar. Tap a space in the touch bar to open it seamlessly.
- Moving apps between desktops: If your desktop is getting cluttered, especially after creating task-specific desktops, use Mission Control to drag and drop apps between desktops. Take advantage of the ability to close redundant apps with Mission Control Plus.
- Removing Desktops: Desktops are versatile and don’t have to last forever. To remove a desktop, hover over it in Mission Control, click the small “X” at the top left corner of the desktop icon, and watch it disappear.
Note: Mission Control Plus can be especially handy here, providing an “X” button for spaces and addressing the absence of such a button for open windows in Mission Control view.
Apps on the desktop being removed will automatically shift to the desktop you are currently on. Before deleting the desktop, minimize the full-screen apps in Mission Control.
Streamline your digital workspace by mastering these desktop management techniques, ensuring a clutter-free and organized Mac experience. With these tips, you have the power to effortlessly switch, move, and remove desktops based on your evolving needs.
FAQs
1. How do I organize multiple desktops on Mac?
If the desktop on your Mac gets cluttered with open app windows, you can use Mission Control to create additional desktops, called spaces, to organize the windows. When you work in a space, only the windows that are in that space are shown.
2. How do I manage multiple windows on a Mac?
On your Mac, move the pointer to the green button in the top-left corner of the window, then choose Tile Window to Left of Screen or Tile Window to Right of Screen from the menu that appears. On the other side of the screen, click the second app you want to work with. The Split View is created in a new desktop space.
3. How do I switch between desktop 1 and 2 on Mac?
Swipe left with three fingers on your trackpad to access the next desktop space. For example, doing so on your primary desktop (Desktop 1) will open Desktop 2. Similarly, if you’re within Desktop 2, swipe right on the trackpad with three fingers to jump back to Desktop 1.