Workspaces or virtual desktops are a group of tasks or programs on a dedicated window on your PC screen. Workspaces are ideal for improved focus, productivity, and clutter-free desktops.
You can use workspaces to streamline your work by focusing on a set of related tasks at a time. To underline their importance, workspaces are available on all major operating systems: Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Here’s how you’re able to create and manage workspaces on Ubuntu.
Why Are Workspaces Important?
Workspaces have been a part of Linux for quite some time. There are several benefits that workspaces bring to your workflow.
Creating a Workspace on Ubuntu
By default, Ubuntu creates a second workspace for you. To see it, click on theActivitiesbutton in the upper left corner of your desktop.
Your workspaces are displayed just below the search field. Also, the second workspace is partially shown on the right-hand side of your desktop. As a shortcut, simply press theWindoworSuperkey to bring up the workspace overview.
To start using the second workspace, drag and drop any of the open software programs or a software icon from the dock to your second workspace.
When you add items to your second workspace, Ubuntu will dynamically create a third workspace, ready for use when needed. Essentially, a new workspace will be created whenever you add items to an empty workspace.
To close a workspace, simply move or close all windows from that particular workspace.
Navigating Between Workspaces on Ubuntu
With some workspaces created, it’s easy to navigate between your workspaces for maximum productivity.
Press theSuperorWindowskey twice to view all workspaces at a glance; from here you’re able to select the workspace that you want to work with. Further, you can drag and drop a program into the preferred workspace.
Move to a workspace on the right by pressing theCtrl + Alt + Right arrowkeyboard shortcut. Navigate to a workspace on the left-hand side using the keysCtrl + Alt + Left arrow.
If you have several workspaces open and want to quickly navigate to the first workspace, pressSuper + Home. To navigate to the last workspace, useSuper + End.
To quickly move an open window to the next workspace, pressShift + Ctrl + Alt + Right arrow. Use the shortcutShift + Ctrl + Alt + Left arrowto move it to a workspace on the left-hand side.
Customizing Workspace Settings on Ubuntu
One of the biggest features of workspaces on Ubuntu is that they are easy to customize to meet your needs.
To start customizing, open Settings by pressing theSuperkey, and then type “settings” in the search bar that appears.
Within the settings menu, go to theMultitaskingoption.
1. Hot Corner
The Hot Corner feature allows you to quickly bring up the workspace overview using a mouse movement. To enable it, click on theHot Cornertoggle button within the Multitasking settings.
Once enabled, you can show the workspace overview by moving your mouse to the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Fixed Workspaces
As you have seen, Ubuntu uses dynamic workspaces by default and automatically appends workspaces as you add programs.
If you do not like this default behavior, you’re able to set a fixed number of workspaces. For example, if you set the number of workspaces to five, you will automatically get that number of workspaces whenever you start your system.
The fixed number of workspaces will remain open even if they are unused or you have closed all active programs.
3. Other Settings
Other important customizations that you can change include how to work with workspaces if you are using multiple monitors.
You can also customize how you switch between open apps within your workspaces depending on your setup. For example, whether you are using multiple monitors or not.
For more tweaks, you can install extensions such as the GNOME Workspace Switcher Manager.
Download:GNOME Workspace Switcher Manager
Workspaces on Ubuntu Are Great for Productivity
Ubuntu workspaces are easy to create and manage. When properly used, workspaces can help improve productivity by allowing you to focus on a single task. They are also vital in having an organized and clutter-free desktop.
