Virtual Desktops on Linux-KDE

If you’re running Linux with KDE there is a way for you to separate the programs that you run. You can choose to have different ‘desktops’ or screens for your programs. In all new installations of KDE there will be by default four virtual desktops in the taskbar. They are in the shape of a four-square and you can modify both the number of desktops and the number of rows. My favorite setup is six desktops all in one row.

You can name your virtual desktops and have their names display on top of them in the taskbar. Right-click on one of the windows (one of the little squares in the tray at the bottom of the screen) and select “show” and “rows” to select number of rows. I recommend also clicking on “name” and “preview.” After that, right click on one of the windows again and select “Configure Virtual Desktops.” Here is a screen where you’ll be able to choose both the number of total desktops as well as their names.

I happen to like choosing goofy names for mine, but do whatever you like with yours. Some ideas are “Desk, Shell, Web, Dev, Files, Task” or “Web, Chat, Pictures, Music” or whatever the main things you do with your computer are. Note: you have to open the appropriate program at the appropriate window for it to go there - it won’t automatically know which window you want it to use.

I’ve found that the main benefit of multiple desktops is connected to the session feature of KDE. When you shutdown/restart your computer KDE will save the names and position of as many windows or terminals as it can. When KDE starts again it’ll try to restore all of those. This means that my file browsers in one screen always stay there and my shells in another screen stick in their place. This saves a lot of time in the long run - and it makes my workspace much more predictable.

A note to Windows users: if you want to use virtual desktops on Windows, it’s unofficially supported. Just go to the Windows XP Powertoys website and select their Virtual Desktop Manager.

Here’s another good article about virtual desktops.