Multiple work spaces in Linux

Many Linux environments are hiding workspaces by default. Chris Hoffman reveals how to bring them back

Windows users have long been jealous of workspaces – also called virtual desktops or multiple desktops – on Linux. But many Linux desktops have hidden this feature by default in recent years. Soon, Windows users will have multiple desktop workspaces enabled by default – and many Linux users won’t.

That’s a bizarre turnaround. Virtual desktops have long been one of the standout features of the Linux desktop and it shouldn’t be lost. Thankfully, there is a solution. Here’s how you can get started with workspaces on Ubuntu’s Unity graphical shell, though it will work with other Linux environments.

Activate them

In Linux, you’ll see a workspace switcher on the desktop’s panels – it looks like a series or grid of rectangles. It’s not enabled by default on many modern Linux desktops, presumably to avoid confusing new users, though that’s an unfortunate omission.

To enable this feature on Ubuntu’s Unity desktop, open the System Settings window and click the Appearance icon (see above). Select the Behavior tab and check the ‘Enable workspaces’ checkbox. The Workspace Switcher icon will appear on Unity’s dock.

If you are using another Linux desktop, right-click its panels and look for this option. On the Cinnamon desktop, offered in Linux Mint, right-click the panel, select ‘Add applets to the panel’ and add the Workspace switcher from the list. On GNOME Shell, you can open the Activities overview and manage workspaces from there; while the KDE desktop, right-click the panel, point to Panel Options, select Add Widget, and add the Pager widget.

Using workspaces

Clicking the Workspace Switcher on Ubuntu’s Unity and many other modern desktops will give you an overview of your workspaces and the applications open on each. On more traditional desktops without flashy effects, the workspace switcher may only let you click between desktops.

Click a workspace to switch to it, or drag-and-drop windows between them. On Unity, it’s all pretty simple and you don’t need to master mouse actions or keyboard shortcuts.

Activating workspaces on Unity will add some additional options to each window title bar’s context menu. Right-click a window’s title bar and you’ll find options for moving that window between different workspaces or making it appear on all workspaces. Similar features are available here on most Linux desktops.

Keyboard shortcuts are available, too. On Unity, hold down Ctrl + Alt and tap an arrow key to quickly move up, down, left, or right between workspaces, depending on how they’re laid out. Add the Shift key – so, press Shift + Ctrl + Alt and tap an arrow key – and you’ll switch between workspaces, taking the currently active window with you to the new workspace.

On some desktops, you may also be able to grab a window’s title bar and drag it to the edge of the screen. The screen will flip over to the adjacent workspace, and you can drop the window there.

So, what can you do with workspaces? Anything you want. Let’s say you work on your computer, as many of us do. You could, for example, have one workspace dedicated to work with all your work applications. It’s a way to organise open windows into groups.