How to Enable and Create a New Workspace in Windows 11 With PowerToys

1. Why Use Workspaces?

PowerToys Workspaces is a productivity tool that lets you snapshot your current app layout—across one or more monitors—and launch it later with a click. Great for jumping straight into specific workflows like coding, design, or communication setups. (youtube.com, theverge.com)

2. Install PowerToys

• Download PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or the official GitHub releases. (learn.microsoft.com)
• Compatible with Windows 11 (and Windows 10 v2004 or newer). (howtogeek.com)
• After installation, restart your PC if prompted. (pcworld.com)

3. Enable the Workspaces Module

• Open the PowerToys app from your Start menu.
• Find the Workspaces option in the sidebar and turn it on. (learn.microsoft.com, youtube.com)

4. Open the Workspaces Editor

• Either click “Launch editor” within the Workspaces section…
• Or use the shortcut Win + Ctrl + ` (backtick) to open the editor directly. (learn.microsoft.com)

5. Capture a New Workspace

• In the editor, click “+ Create Workspace”—your desktop gets outlined in red, signaling capture mode. (bleepingcomputer.com)
• Arrange open apps exactly how you want them—snap, resize, move across monitors.

6. Save Your Workspace

• Click Capture once your layout is set.
• Name your workspace, tweak window sizes, add CLI arguments (e.g., launch VS Code with a specific file), or set apps to launch as Administrator. (youtube.com, bleepingcomputer.com)
• Optionally, create a desktop shortcut for one-click access—or pin it to the taskbar. (howtogeek.com)

💡 Tip: If you ever need to tweak your saved layout or replace certain apps, check out this detailed guide: How to Edit a PowerToys Workspace in Windows 11.

7. Launch and Manage Workspaces

• Launch via the editor or your desktop shortcut. A dialog shows app launch and positioning status—green check for success, loading indicator, or red X if something fails. (learn.microsoft.com)
• To edit later, open the editor, select your workspace, and choose “Launch & Edit” to re-capture or tweak. (learn.microsoft.com)

TL;DR

Install PowerToys → Enable Workspaces → Launch editor → Create and capture layout → Save with optional shortcut → Launch whenever—and your desktop jumps into action.

Bonus Tips

• Some apps may behave inconsistently—especially those that launch existing instances instead of new windows. Use CLI flags like --reuse-window for fine control. (learn.microsoft.com)
• Watch workflow: Someone on Reddit notes, “It remembers a set of apps, their CLI, and their window sizes and positions… creates a single desktop icon for launching them all.” (reddit.com)
  Worth knowing: it still has hiccups—especially with uncommon apps or custom app behaviors.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!