How To Use The Task View On Windows 10/11
Windows 10 and Windows 11 come with many features that help increase productivity while making multitasking easier. However, one of the most useful features, in my opinion, is the Task View. This tool lets you handle open applications simultaneously and manage different tasks with the help of virtual desktops.
With Task View, you are able to switch from application to application without blurring focus and organize various tasks into separate desktops. In the older versions of Windows, Task View consisted of Timeline too, where you were able to go back to the files and activities that you previously accessed.
As intimidating as Task View may appear to the newcomer, having an understanding of how it all functions can really help to optimize how an individual interacts when using multiple applications or projects.
Getting Started
The original purpose of the Task View was to provide an alternative for quickly switching between applications that were opened and running. With time, Microsoft modified this feature to add functionality for virtual desktops and activities, thus making it one of the core multitasking features in Windows.
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Nowadays, Task View is more commonly utilized as a tool to handle running applications and virtual desktops. It helps people organize their work environment.
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While looking into all the functions that Task View has to offer, let us first discuss the essential elements necessary for a more convenient multitasking experience on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
1. Task Switcher
Task View is mainly aimed at helping you switch between running apps more quickly and easily. Rather than switching from one window at a time, you are able to see what is running at all times via Task View.
How to Access Task View
There are two main ways to open Task View:
- Click the Task View button on the taskbar
- Press the Windows + Tab keyboard shortcut
If you don’t see the Task View button, right-click the taskbar and enable Show Task View button.
Both methods work the same way on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Working with Task View
As soon as Task View is opened, all the running applications on the active desktop will be displayed in the form of thumbnails. By clicking on the thumbnail, it will immediately switch to the respective application.
You can also right-click on an app if you need further actions such as sending it to an active virtual desktop, snapping it to one edge of the screen, displaying it on all desktops, or completely shutting it down.
Task View comes in handy when working with multiple applications at the same time or when juggling various tasks in the course of the day.
Difference Between Windows+Tab & Alt+Tab
Several users have questions concerning whether Windows+Tab and Alt+Tab perform a similar action. Though these options assist you in switching to applications, they are different.
Windows provides a quick way of switching between open apps using the Alt + Tab keys, no matter what desktop the apps are running from.
The Windows+Tab shortcut launches the Task View, which gives a much wider perspective. It shows you the applications that are currently open and organized on the basis of the desktops, along with options for handling the desktops. It is more apt for space management and not for switching applications.
2. Virtual Desktops
Virtual Desktops enable you to work on different desktops within a single monitor. Each desktop supports different applications, enabling you to concentrate on a particular activity.
This feature is very useful when you are not using multiple monitors or when you want to segregate the work-related applications from the personal ones.
Accessing a Virtual Desktop
In order to switch to virtual desktops, one needs to invoke the Task View by using the taskbar button or by using the keyboard shortcut Windows + Tab. At the top part of the screen, all existing virtual desktops can be previewed.
When the cursor hovers over the desktop preview, it highlights the applications currently open within the desktop.
Methods of Using Virtual Desktops
You can create a new virtual desktop by clicking the ‘New Desktop’ button or by pressing the Windows + Ctrl + D keys.
To shut down a desktop, go to Task View and select the desktop’s preview by clicking on its X at the corner of its preview card. This will relocate apps running on this desktop to another desktop.
It is simple to switch between the Desktops. Just click on the Desktop preview or use Windows + Ctrl + Left/Right.
To move an app between desktops, right-click the app in the Task View and choose Move to, or you can also drag and drop the app to the other desktop’s preview. To create a new desktop by dragging an app, drop the app on the plus button.
If you need the app to appear on every desktop, right-click the app on the Task View and select one of the listed options:
- Show this window on all desktops
- Show windows from this app on all desktops
How to Change the Settings of a Virtual Desktop
Windows allows you to customize how apps behave across desktops.
To adjust these settings:
- Open Settings
- Go to System > Multitasking
- Scroll to the Virtual Desktops section
Here, you can choose whether Alt + Tab and the taskbar show apps only from the current desktop or from all desktops.
3. Timeline
“Timeline” aimed to let users continue what they were doing, such as document or webpage activity, right from the Task View. In order to do so, it used activity history that either had been stored locally or synchronized with a Microsoft account.
One thing worth noting here is that Timeline is fully supported in Windows 10 but removed or restricted in Windows 11. In the latest version, Microsoft focuses on tracking activities in individual applications and cloud services.
How to Access Timeline
the Timeline will be visible once you activate the Task View via the taskbar button or Windows + Tab key.
The activity timeline will be visible below the running app thumbnails. This is no longer an option in the Task View of Windows 11.
How to Use Timeline
When access is granted, Timeline enables you to click on an activity to open it again. You can browse previous entries, search entries by specific tasks, and delete individual entries. You can also clear activity history for a day when needed or delete all activity history if needed.
How to Customize Timeline
To control Timeline and activity history settings:
- Open Settings
- Navigate to Privacy > Activity History
You’ll see options to allow Windows to collect activity data and sync it to the cloud. For Timeline to work on Windows 10, activity collection must be enabled.
Conclusion
Task View is a very useful productivity feature, allowing you to easily view open applications and manage your workflow using virtual desktops. Although certain features have evolved from Windows 10 to Windows 11, Task View is a very useful multitasking function. Prior to delving into all that Task View has in offer, you may also want to ensure that everything runs well on your computer. Installing Outbyte PC Repair will ensure that everything runs smoothly, which will help Windows 10 or Windows 11 run more efficiently when multitasking.