To switch back to Desktop 1 in Windows 11, press Windows + Tab, then select the Desktop 1 thumbnail. If you renamed that desktop, select its current name instead. These steps use Windows 11 menus.
The short version
- Choose directly: Press Windows + Tab and select Desktop 1.
- Switch with keys: Press Windows + Ctrl + Left arrow to move one desktop left.
- Use the mouse: Hover over Task view on the taskbar and select Desktop 1.
- Keep your arrangement: Select the desktop to switch to it without removing other desktops.
| Method | What to do | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Task View | Press Windows + Tab, then select Desktop 1 | Direct selection by name |
| Taskbar preview | Hover over Task view, then select Desktop 1 | Mouse or pointing device |
| Desktop shortcut | Press Windows + Ctrl + Left arrow or Windows + Ctrl + Right arrow | Move between desktop positions |
| Restore the taskbar button | Enable Task view in Taskbar settings | Missing taskbar button |
| Touchpad switching | Swipe left or right with four fingers | Compatible touchpad with switching gesture unchanged |
| Touchpad Task View | Swipe up with three fingers, then select Desktop 1 | Compatible touchpad with default gesture assignment |
| Touchscreen switching | Enable touch gestures, then swipe sideways with four fingers | Compatible multitouch touchscreen |
| Touchscreen Task View | Enable touch gestures, swipe up with three fingers, then tap Desktop 1 | Compatible multitouch touchscreen |
| Close desktops visually | Remove unwanted desktops and move their apps to another desktop | Change your desktop arrangement |
| Close a desktop with keys | Remove the current unwanted desktop | Change your desktop arrangement using the keyboard |
| On-Screen Keyboard | Use its Windows + Tab keys | Operate with a pointing device or touch |
| Voice access | Use numbered overlays to select Task view and Desktop 1 | Voice access configured and listening |
| Administrative remedy | Have an administrator adjust the policy hiding Task view | Policy prevents restoring the button |
Select Desktop 1 in Task View
Press Windows + Tab to open Task View, then select Desktop 1. You can also click or tap Task view on the taskbar to open it. Choose the desktop’s current name if you previously renamed it.
With a mouse or another pointing device, hover over Task view on the taskbar to display the desktop previews. Select Desktop 1 from those previews. If the taskbar button is missing, use Windows + Tab or restore the button using the steps below.
Switch desktops with the keyboard
Press Windows + Ctrl + Left arrow to move one desktop to the left. Repeat until you reach Desktop 1. If your target desktop is to the right, press Windows + Ctrl + Right arrow instead.
These shortcuts follow desktop positions, not desktop names. If you are unsure which direction leads to Desktop 1, press Windows + Tab and select Desktop 1 directly.
Bring back the Task view button
On Windows 11, right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings, then find Taskbar items. Turn on Task view. Click the restored Task view button and select Desktop 1.
If an organization policy disables the toggle, an administrator can set Start/HideTaskViewButton to 0 through the device or user Policy CSP. This remedy applies to Windows 11 version 22H2 and later on Pro, Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise, and IoT Enterprise LTSC.
The corresponding Group Policy setting is under Computer Configuration or User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar > Hide the TaskView button. Once the button is available, open Task view and select Desktop 1. You can use Windows + Tab to select the desktop while the taskbar button is hidden.
Use touchpad gestures
On a compatible touchpad, swipe left or right with four fingers to switch desktops. Repeat in the appropriate direction until Desktop 1 appears. This requires the desktop switching gesture to retain its original assignment, and some gestures require a precision touchpad.
For a direct selection, swipe up with three fingers to open Task View, then select Desktop 1. That gesture requires a compatible touchpad with the default three-finger assignment. If the gesture does not open Task View or switch desktops, use Windows + Tab and choose Desktop 1.
Use touchscreen gestures
On Windows 11 devices with a compatible multitouch touchscreen, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touch. Turn on Three and four-finger touch gestures. Swipe left or right with four fingers on the screen until Desktop 1 appears.
With that setting enabled, you can also swipe up with three fingers on the screen to open Task View. Tap Desktop 1 to select it. If your touchscreen does not support these gestures, tap Task view on the taskbar and select Desktop 1 instead.
Use the On Screen Keyboard or Voice access
To open and use the On Screen Keyboard on Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard, then turn on On-Screen Keyboard. If the simplified layout appears, select General. Use its Windows and Tab keys to invoke Windows + Tab, then select Desktop 1.
You can use Voice access on Windows 11 version 22H2 and later, with a microphone and a supported speech language. Start with Voice access configured and listening, and Task view visible on the taskbar. The commands below are in English.
Say Show numbers on taskbar, then say Click <number>, replacing the placeholder with the overlay number for Task view. Say Show numbers, then say Click <number> with the overlay number for Desktop 1. Speak the displayed number, not the word “number” or the angle brackets. If Desktop 1 has no numbered label, use the grid overlay to move the mouse pointer to it, then say Click.
Remove extra desktops only if you want to
Selecting Desktop 1 is enough when you only want to return to it. Use the closing options only when you also want to remove unwanted desktops.
Removing a desktop changes your desktop arrangement and moves its apps to another available desktop. Press Windows + Tab, hover over an unwanted desktop thumbnail, and select its X close button. Repeat for other unwanted desktops while retaining Desktop 1, then select Desktop 1.
The keyboard shortcut removes the desktop you are currently using. While on an unwanted desktop, press Windows + Ctrl + F4. Before closing another desktop, check its name in Task View and repeat only while an unwanted desktop is active, stopping when Desktop 1 is active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I return to Desktop 1 by selecting one of its open windows?
Press Windows + Tab and select Desktop 1 to return to it. On Windows 11, Settings > System > Multitasking > Desktops lets Alt + Tab list open windows from every desktop when you choose On all desktops under Show all open windows when I press Alt+Tab. Microsoft documents Task View and keyboard shortcuts as the ways to switch desktops.
Can a taskbar window button take me back to Desktop 1?
Press Windows + Tab and select Desktop 1 to return to it. On Windows 11, choosing On all desktops under On the taskbar, show all the open windows in Settings > System > Multitasking > Desktops shows windows from every desktop on the taskbar. Microsoft describes this as quick access to your open apps without switching desktops.
Why do older instructions say to select Show Task View button?
The Show Task View button option directly in the taskbar context menu belongs to Windows 10 instructions. On Windows 11, right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings > Taskbar items, then turn on Task view.
Should I follow Windows Speech Recognition instructions for voice switching?
Use Voice access for Windows 11 version 22H2 and later. Microsoft says Voice access replaced Windows Speech Recognition for those versions in September 2024.