Workspaces should work on multiple desktops in Windows 11

[szymontex]

Description of the new feature / enhancement

The expected behavior is that the Workspaces feature in PowerToys should support saving and restoring layouts across multiple desktops in Windows 11, not just on a single desktop. Currently, the feature only works with one desktop layout at a time, which limits its usefulness when using multiple desktops. Ideally, the user should be able to capture and restore layouts across all desktops simultaneously, allowing for seamless transitions between different desktop environments.

Scenario when this would be used?

This feature would be used when managing complex workflows that span across multiple desktops in Windows 11. For example, a user might have one desktop dedicated to development work, another for communication apps, and another for design tools. The ability to capture and restore these distinct layouts across all desktops would significantly improve productivity and flexibility, especially for power users who rely on multiple virtual desktops to keep their work organized and efficient.

Supporting information

Multiple desktops are an integral part of Windows 11's workflow management. Power users and professionals who handle a variety of tasks across different virtual desktops would greatly benefit from this functionality. It would prevent the need to manually reconfigure window positions and layouts when switching desktops, which can disrupt focus and workflow. Having the ability to save and restore desktop setups for all desktops would enhance the current workspace experience.

[DaleMckeown]

I wholeheartedly agree with this. I use Virtual Desktops heavily in my work environment - it's normal for me to have 6-10 virtual desktops at any given time. Fancyzones doesn't work well with this setup at all. I'd like to be able to do something like so:

Virtual Desktop 1 - Double column layout for Email and Teams. (50/50 split) Virtual Desktop 2 - 2x2 grid for stats/monitoring. Virtual Desktop 3 - Triple column for 2 x SSMS and 1 for git bash. (33/33/33 split). Virtual Desktop 4 - Double for Visual Studio and dev browser (60/40 split). Virtual Desktop 5 - Double for Visual Studio and dev browser (60/40 split). Virtual Desktop 6 - Single column for general web browsing. Virtual Desktop 7 - Single column for RDP connections.

[DaleMckeown]

Hmm I've looked through the source code for FancyZones and it appears to handle layouts on a per-virtual desktop basis already. I've tried in Windows 11 and this appears to work as I want it to. My work laptop is Windows 10 and FancyZones definitely doesn't work in the same way on that device. I might try doing a fresh install to see if that resolves the issues I am seeing on that.

[plante-msft]

Hi folks, there is mega-issue tracking this request already, so closing this one as duplicate to keep track of everything in one place.

This conversation won't be lost, just grouped :)

/dup #34578

[microsoft-github-policy-service[bot]]

Hi! We've identified this issue as a duplicate of another one that already exists on this Issue Tracker. This specific instance is being closed in favor of tracking the concern over on the referenced thread. Thanks for your report!