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How to Enable Virtual Workspaces on a Dell Computer Running the Ubuntu Operating System

Summary: The following article provides information about how to enable workspaces on a computer running the Ubuntu operating system.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

Table of Contents:

  1. Introduction
  2. Solution using the Graphical User Interface (GUI)
  3. Solution using the Terminal Application
  4. Additional Information:

Introduction

 

This article takes you through a couple of different ways to enable the Virtual Workspaces in Ubuntu.

Here is a quick description of what Virtual Workspaces are and why you would want to enable them:

Virtual Workspaces:

This is the name of a utility that Ubuntu has used for many years. Workspaces do not come automatically enabled anymore, but it is still part of every Ubuntu Desktop Installation.

This utility lets you have multiple instances of the desktop open at the one time. For example:

  • The first desktop may have all the applications open for an ongoing project. 
  • A second desktop screen has applications for playing music or videos. 
  • A third desktop screen can have even more applications open.
You can navigate through these screens using keyboard shortcuts. They are a useful way of organizing how you work on your computer.

Microsoft added a similar feature starting with their Windows 10 operating system.

This defaults to four desktops arranged in a 3D cube when it is enabled. You view one of the desktop screens at any one time. You can increase the number of desktop screens behind your main screen if required.

Note:
  • Pressing the Super + S keys simultaneously shows the content of all the workspaces on one screen.
  • Pressing the CTRL + ALT + Arrow keys simultaneously to move the workspace screens in the direction of the arrow used.
  • Pressing the SHIFT + CTRL + ALT + Arrow keys simultaneously to switch the current screen to the workspace you want to view.
  • The Super key is also known as the Windows key (Windows Logo key).

Solution using the Graphical User Interface (GUI)

 

Follow these instructions if you are using the GUI desktop to enable this function:

  1. Click the Dash and start typing Appearance.

  2. When the Appearance Icon appears on the screen, double-click it.

  3. Change from the Look tab to the Behavior tab.

  4. Look for the Checkbox marked Enable Workspaces.

  5. Check the box.

Solution using the Terminal Application

 

Follow these instructions if you are using the Terminal application to enable this function:

  1. Open a Terminal Window by pressing the Keyboard Shortcut CTRL + ALT + T keys simultaneously.

  2. Run the following two commands to enable workspaces and set up the usual cube configuration:

    gsettings set org.compiz.core:/org/copmiz/profiles/unity/plugins/core/ hsize 2

    gsettings set org.compiz.core:/org/copmiz/profiles/unity/plugins/core/ vsize 2

 
Note: You can increase the number of Workspace desktops by increasing the hsize and vsize from the default of two. Increasing to three would give a three by three desktop 3D grid.


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Additional Information

Note:

Canonical provides Software support through the following methods:

Dell provides Technical Support:


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Affected Products

Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Fixed Workstations
Article Properties
Article Number: 000129826
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 11 Jun 2024
Version:  5
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