Virtual desktop is a term used, usually within the WIMP paradigm, to describe any of several possible ways in which a computer's metaphorical desktop environment is modified, through the use of software. The modifications are primarily to increase a user's ability to organise their windowed applications that are currently running by reducing clutter.

Types of virtual desktop

There are several types of virtual desktop system. All of them provide a "virtual" space, in addition to what is provided by the computer's physical hardware display, in which the user can place their application's windows. As a trade-off, all of the available space might not be able to be visually displayed at one time, or the quality of its display may be degraded in some way.

Desktop switching

The most common type of virtual desktop provides a way for the user to switch between "contexts", only one of which can be displayed on the computer's display at any given time. Rather than simply being placed at an x,y position on the computer's display, windows of running applications are then placed at x,y positions on a given "virtual desktop" context. They are then only accessible to the user if that particular context is being displayed.

Desktop scrolling

Some virtual desktop environments do not offer distinct virtual screens, but instead make it possible to "scroll" around a view that is larger than what the available hardware is capable of displaying.. For example, if a graphics card has a resolution limit lower than what is required, the virtual desktop manager may allow for windows to be placed "off the edge" of the screen, and then allow the user to move to them by placing the mouse pointer at the screen's edge.

The first commercial program that implemented this idea was Stepping Out for the Macintosh, created by Wes Boyd (the future founder of Berkeley Systems) in 1986.

Virtual desktop managers

Some windowing and desktop environments provide virtual desktop switching as an included part of their user interface. Others, including Microsoft Windows, do not. Third party Virtual Desktop Manager software can still be used to simulate the same behaviour, however.

In virtual desktop environments, windows of running applications, and icons can usually be moved from one virtual desktop to another by dragging and dropping with a mouse, just as files can be moved amongst folders on a single desktop. Each virtual desktop occupies a defined portion of the screen, and the set of virtual desktops is arranged in a matrix or grid. The size of the matrix depends on the number of virtual desktops.

Virtual desktop managers are available for most graphical interface operating systems and offer various features - different wallpapers for each virtual desktop, hotkeys or other convenient methods to allow the user to switch amongst the different screens.