Yes—two desktops show when you opened a second virtual desktop or when icons come from both your Desktop and a shared or OneDrive Desktop.
If your taskbar says “Desktop 2” or File Explorer seems to offer two Desktop spots, you’re not stuck with a mystery. Windows uses the word “desktop” for two different things: a workspace (where windows live) and a folder (where icons live). When those overlap in odd ways—like a new virtual workspace, a shared Public Desktop, or a OneDrive-moved Desktop—you end up thinking you have two. The fix is quick, safe, and reversible.
Quick Reasons And Fast Fixes
| What You See | Likely Cause | Fast Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “Desktop 2” label near the taskbar or in Task View | A second virtual desktop exists | Press Win+Ctrl+F4 to close it, or open Task View (Win+Tab) and click the X |
| Two “Desktop” folders in Explorer | Personal Desktop + Public Desktop merge | Open C:\Users\Public\Desktop and move shortcuts you don’t want shared into %UserProfile%\Desktop |
| Icons follow you to another PC | OneDrive Desktop backup (Known Folder) | In OneDrive settings, toggle Desktop backup on or off; consolidate files into the chosen Desktop |
| Two screens with different backgrounds | Dual monitors, one desktop surface | Press Win+P to pick extend/duplicate; set wallpapers per monitor |
| Different icons when using another account | Each account has its own Desktop | Switch back to the original account or copy files to the one you use daily |
| Extra desktops after a utility install | Third-party multi-desktop tool | Disable or uninstall the tool; use built-in Task View instead |
What “Two Desktops” Usually Means On Windows
Windows can show multiple workspaces called virtual desktops. It also merges icons from more than one physical folder into the Desktop view. Both are useful—until they surprise you.
Virtual Desktops: Desktop 1 And Desktop 2
Press Win+Tab to open Task View. If you see “Desktop 1” and “Desktop 2,” that second entry is just another workspace. It’s like a clean table where you can keep a separate set of windows. Closing it doesn’t remove your apps; Windows moves those windows to the remaining desktop.
You can rename a desktop (right-click in Task View), set a different background, and jump between spaces with Win+Ctrl+Left/Right. For Microsoft’s walkthrough, see multiple desktops in Windows.
Two Desktop Folders In File Explorer
The Desktop view pulls from your own Desktop folder and a shared folder named Public Desktop. Installers that run “for all users” drop shortcuts there so everyone sees them. That’s why icons can appear even if you didn’t create them.
Open C:\Users\Public\Desktop to see the shared items. Drag unneeded shortcuts into %UserProfile%\Desktop if you want them to be yours only. Microsoft documents the shared folder under the known folder ID FOLDERID_PublicDesktop here: Windows Shell CSIDL/Known Folders.
OneDrive Turned Your Desktop Into A Cloud Folder
OneDrive can back up “known folders” such as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. When Desktop backup is on, the path becomes part of your OneDrive. That can look like a second Desktop location, especially right after sign-in on a new PC.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon → Settings → Sync and backup. If Desktop is toggled on, decide whether you want a cloud Desktop across devices or a local Desktop on one machine. Stick with a single choice and move any stray files into that one spot. Microsoft’s guide: Back up folders with OneDrive.
Why Do I Have 2 Desktops On My PC: Main Reasons
- You pressed the new-desktop shortcut. Win+Ctrl+D creates Desktop 2. Close it with Win+Ctrl+F4.
- Installers added shared icons. They land in Public Desktop and show up for everyone.
- OneDrive moved the folder. Desktop now sits under OneDrive, so you see a different path in Explorer.
- Two monitors are active. That’s still one desktop surface spread across screens.
- You switched accounts. Each account holds its own Desktop files and shortcuts.
Remove Or Merge The Extra Desktop
Close An Extra Virtual Desktop
- Press Win+Tab to open Task View.
- Hover over “Desktop 2,” then click the X in its corner.
- Or activate that desktop and press Win+Ctrl+F4.
Your windows move to the remaining desktop. Apps keep running.
Unify Icons From Public Desktop And Your Desktop
- Open
C:\Users\Public\Desktop. - Sort by Type so shortcuts group together.
- Drag items you want just for you into
%UserProfile%\Desktop. - Leave anything coworkers or family still need.
This cleans the view without removing programs.
Pick One Desktop When OneDrive Is In The Mix
- Click the OneDrive cloud → Settings → Sync and backup.
- Toggle Desktop on or off, based on whether you want cross-device icons.
- Consolidate files into the location you chose (cloud or local).
If a policy turns Desktop backup back on, your PC is managed—ask IT before changing it again.
Tune Virtual Desktops So They Help, Not Confuse
- Rename desktops in Task View (“Work”, “Play”, “Meetings”).
- Set a unique background per desktop for an instant visual cue.
- Use Win+Ctrl+Left/Right to switch; use Win+Tab to see everything.
- Pin only the apps you use daily to keep the taskbar lean.
Two Desktops On My Computer After An Update
A fresh sign-in or a big Windows update can flip on features you hadn’t set yet. Run this short checklist and you’re back to a single, sane setup:
- Open Task View and close any extra desktop thumbnails.
- Review
C:\Users\Public\Desktopand move shortcuts you don’t want shared. - Check OneDrive Desktop backup and commit to cloud or local—then tidy up.
- Press Win+P and confirm your display mode (Extend or Duplicate).
Power Tips That Keep Everything Straight
- Separate roles with names and backgrounds. A labeled workspace with a distinct wallpaper stops mix-ups.
- Install for “Current user” when offered. That keeps shortcuts off the Public Desktop.
- Keep the Desktop light. Store projects in Documents or a project drive and reserve the Desktop for quick links.
- Stick to one sync tool per folder. Running two cloud clients on the same Desktop path invites duplicates.
Keyboard Moves And Views Cheat Sheet
| Task | Shortcut / Path | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Create a new virtual desktop | Win+Ctrl+D | Adds “Desktop 2” with a clean window set |
| Switch between desktops | Win+Ctrl+Left/Right | Jumps to the next workspace |
| Close the current desktop | Win+Ctrl+F4 | Merges its windows into the previous desktop |
| Open Task View | Win+Tab | Shows all desktops and recent windows |
| Open Public Desktop | C:\Users\Public\Desktop |
Displays shortcuts shared with all users |
| Open your Desktop folder | %UserProfile%\Desktop |
Displays your personal icons and files |
When It’s Something Else
If none of the above matches, one of these rarer cases might:
- Remote Desktop session. A full-screen RDP window looks like a separate desktop. Close the session or exit full-screen to return to your local one.
- Virtual machine. A VM window can hide your main desktop. Exit full-screen or shut down the VM when you’re done.
- Group Policy redirection. On managed PCs, admins can redirect Desktop to OneDrive or a network path. If your changes keep reverting, it’s policy-controlled.
Make One Clear Desktop Your Default
Keep it simple: one Desktop folder, and only the virtual desktops you truly use. If you want the same icons on every device, keep OneDrive Desktop backup on and move everything into that single cloud Desktop. If you don’t need cross-device sync, turn it off and keep the Desktop local. Leave shared items in Public Desktop only when other users still need them. That’s it—clean, predictable, and easy to maintain.
Reference Pointers
From Microsoft’s own pages:
- Configure multiple desktops in Windows
- Back up folders with OneDrive (Desktop, Documents, Pictures)
- Known Folders & FOLDERID_PublicDesktop