Virtual Desktops

Place Chrome windows on virtual desktops using a tiling grid

Virtual Desktops: Enhance Productivity on ChromeOS

"Virtual Desktops" is a Chrome extension offering multiple functionalities for ChromeOS users. It allows the creation of virtual desktops and the ability to move windows between these through keyboard shortcuts. Users can position windows on a tiling grid pattern via keyboard shortcuts as well. The plugin also supports multiple keyboard shortcut commands for efficiently managing your virtual desktop and windows.
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Extension stats

Users: 1,000+
Rating: 2.92
(12)
Version: 0.6.0 (Last updated: 2018-06-18)
Creation date: 2018-06-18
Risk impact: Very low risk impact
Risk likelihood:
Manifest version: 2
Size: 21.27K

Other platforms

Virtual Gamepad (v1.0.0)
2.95 (632) 454,302+
Not available on Firefox
Not available on Edge
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Extension summary

This extension provides virtual desktop capabilities for ChromeOS, and some more.

Current Features

  • Create virtual desktops. Move windows between them via keyboard shortcuts.
  • Position windows on a tiling grid layout via keyboard shortcuts.

Note: to use the keyboard shortcuts (which is highly advisable), go to this extension's settings and use the "Keyboard shortcuts" button to set a shortcut to launch this extension. Alternatively, use the default shortcut of [Shift]-[Alt]-d.

The following keyboard commands are available (where [Modifier] is any

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User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Extension works effectively for managing virtual desktops
  • Useful once the habit of using it is built
  • Potential for improvement and future functionality
Cons
  • Poor and unintuitive instructions
  • Lack of shortcut keys to switch between desktops hinders productivity
  • Disappearance of non-primary desktops after signing out and back in
Most mentioned
  • Need for better instructions
  • Functionality works but could be more intuitive
  • Shift+Alt+D is the primary command to use the extension
User reviews
i don't know how it works:[
by lito pagon, 2021-01-07

I'll second what another reviewer mentioned, i.e. that it works, however, the instructions are not only poor but also unintuitive. The gist is that Shift+Alt+D opens the extension, from which point you can move the open window to the next virtual desktop. To actually switch between desktops, it's Shift+Alt+D to activate the extension, then with no hotkeys/modifiers press Left or Right to switch. The provided instructions suggest you'd need a modifier to switch even after activating the extension, but that's decidedly not the case. From a functionality point of view, it would be good to also have some sort of expose-style view that provides an overview of what's open on each desktop (similar to what's available in macOS or Windows 10), but I also understand that's asking a lot of a free extension - especially one that seems like it will be obsolete by the end of the year as multi-desktop support is already in beta channels of Chrome OS and Chrome.
by Joshua Tatro, 2019-07-25

It needs better instructions, for sure! Alt+Shft+d opens the extension. To make a new desktop, click on an open window, press Alt+Shft+d to open, the Ctl+right arrow to place the new window in its own desktop. Then Alt+Shft+d, right or left arrow to switch between desktops. Its useful, once the habit's built. The interface could be more intuitive. But the functionality is good, once you get onto it! Google should build this into Chromebooks, imho. It needs better instructions, for sure. That said, I use it almost every day.
by Larry Dailey, 2019-05-06
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Extension safety

Risk impact

Virtual Desktops does not require any sensitive permissions.

Risk likelihood

Virtual Desktops has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

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