Although task management has existed in some form on Windows since 1990, it wasn’t until the release of Windows 10 in 2015 that it evolved into a genuine management tool. Task View provides an overview of all the apps that are open across multiple desktops, allowing you to quickly switch between them and add separate virtual desktops too. In an April 2018, Microsoft added a feature called Timeline, which allows you to view a history of activities across all your Windows 10 devices.
What’s the point of Task View in Windows 10?
Task View acts as a multitasking hub for everything you do on Windows 10. In addition to quickly switching between windows, you can add separate virtual desktops and even access tabs from other devices. It makes multitasking, something that used to be particularly frustrating, much easier and more seamless.
How to get started with Task View on Windows 10
There are three ways to access Task View, all of which are quick and simple. The easiest way is to just click the icon, which should be next to the Cortana circle in the taskbar. If you can’t find it, just right-click the taskbar and ensure ‘Show Task View button‘ is ticked. However, for instant access it might be worth getting used to the Windows key + Tab shortcut. You’ll be presented with an overview of tabs, from where you can make use of the additional functionality.
Virtual desktops
if you aren’t able to connect a second screen, you can always simulate the feeling by using multiple virtual desktops. This can be especially useful if you use the same device for personal and work use, and want to separate the two. To get started, just click ‘New desktop’ at the top of your screen. You can create up to 200 desktops here, all of which can work independently but accrue history collectively. To move apps between them, simply right-click on the appropriate window and choose ‘Move to’/
Timeline
For this to work, you’ll need to be signed in to your Microsoft account across all Windows 10 devices that you’d like to be synchronised. Below your open tabs, previously opened applications will be available in reverse chronological order. This allows you to see and reopen and apps that have been opened in the last 30 days. If you end up finding this more annoying than useful, rest assured it’s easy to disable. Just go to Settings and then choose Privacy – Activity history. From there, disable the associated account under ‘Show activities from these accounts’. There’s also an option here to clear any existing history that has been collected. See more ways you can use Windows 10 to stay organised. As the resident expert on Windows, Senior Staff Writer Anyron’s main focus is PCs and laptops. Much of the rest of his time is split between smartphones, tablets and audio, with a particular focus on Android devices.
