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

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.

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

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