Using technology to achieve high levels of business efficiency is not a trend that is new to organizations. Oftentimes, business processes are managed and maintained by technology—from software solutions to the endpoint device that you use to access your company data.
The emergence of virtual desktops has helped business owners and team members increase their productivity and efficiency by making programs and data more accessible and easier to manage. A feature that all companies should be aware of, a Windows 11 virtual desktop can reenergize your employees and work processes, leading to greater loyalty and more profits.
What is a virtual desktop in Windows 11?
Virtual desktops are a feature that allows users to organize and customize their Windows 11 workspace into separate areas. If they prefer not to search for a desktop in the bar, users can switch between them using keyboard shortcuts. This helps to keep workflows moving smoothly.
How can you create a virtual desktop in Windows 11?
Creating a new virtual desktop is simple. To do this, the steps are:
- Select the virtual desktop (or “Task View”) button in your device’s taskbar. The feature’s logo consists of black and white squares overlaying each other.
- Click the “new desktop” button that appears. The button appears as a white rectangle with a dark cross in its center. This will create the new desktop, and you can begin using it for work.
- Tip: If “Task View” is initially absent from the taskbar, right-click the taskbar and hit “Taskbar settings”. Locate “Task View” and turn it “On”.
A Windows 11 virtual desktop can only be accessed through a specific endpoint device, chiefly a desktop computer or laptop. While this may seem like an inconvenience, it is anything but. Computers are a staple business item, providing users with the processing power and screen size they need to get their work done.
According to Statista, “in the third quarter of 2022, 17.47 million PCs were shipped in the United States”. While mobile devices have cemented their role in the development of business efficiency and streamlined organizational procedures, computers are still widely used endpoints for business operations—and their unique capabilities will continue to allow business owners to upgrade their products and services to remain relevant.
How a Windows 11 virtual desktop can enhance your business processes
The workplace is a fast-moving environment that runs according to technological solutions, from your endpoint device to project management software and network security measures. You and your employees must have a strong grip over the applications and data that power your business.
Windows’ virtual desktops offer a number of benefits that can help your company do just that, elevating the individual workstyles of you and your team to maximize efficiency and productivity.
1. Seamless navigation
Virtual desktops help you and your team to stay organized, allowing you to seamlessly structure and switch between virtual desktops and their applications. With just the click of a button, your employees can move between their desktops without disrupting documents and programs.
Each desktop is also customizable, providing you with the means to change their names and backgrounds. By being able to differentiate between multiple desktops at a name and visual level, you will have an easier time tracking your desktops without having to spend time searching.
2. Less distractions and more focus
Researchers have found that “it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back to … [a] task”—a fair amount of time in a high-energy environment like your business. Apart from letting you organize specific desktops based on function (for example, having your company’s social media in one desktop and your finances in another), a Windows 11 virtual desktop also operates as an independent entity.
This means that any programs you host within one desktop do not impact other applications in another desktop on your preferred endpoint device. An easy way to think of it is likening the desktops to office cubicles that serve separate purposes. You can move between each cubicle depending on what programs and information you require. In this way, you can access all the solutions that will bring you value while avoiding the ones you do not require yet, ensuring your focus does not waver.
3. Increased staff engagement
If organizations do not provide their employees with the best work tools, they risk alienating their staff, compromising their productivity, and incurring unnecessary expenses. Team members want to feel valued by their employer, and supplying them with solutions that enable them to complete their work and showcase their talents is a proven method of securing their enthusiasm.
While it may not seem like much, a Windows 11 virtual desktop can grant your staff more autonomy over their devices and work processes. With the ability to change the look and function of a desktop, a virtual desktop can help employees make their workstation their own, configuring everything to suit their workflow best and achieve business efficiency.
Innovate your endpoint device with a Windows 11 virtual desktop
A virtual desktop is a perfect solution for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It allows you and your team to seamlessly navigate the digital workplace, offering everyone more control over their work arrangements to result in streamlined workflows that grant your company an outstanding reputation.
The Microsoft consultants at Skynet MTS specialize in helping SMBs make the most of Microsoft’s solutions for immediate and long-term profitability. Whether you want to update an endpoint device or plan a Microsoft-run workspace, talk to the team at SkyNet MTS today to learn how you can use virtual desktops to empower your organization with the tools it needs to succeed while enjoying ongoing support.