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Since a recent Windows Update (2023-09 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5030310) probably?), switching desktops is much slower.

I normally use Win+Tab, but the same slowness exists if I use the Desktops button on the Taskbar.

Desktop switching used to be instant. Now, it pauses for a second or two, slides over, flickers the background wallpaper, and shows at the bottom of the screen which desktop I'm on.

It's a little thing, but very annoying when switching rapidly is part of my workflow. Is there any way to speed it up again? Some sort of performance-based tuning option, or desktop customization that can be disabled?

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  • If you uninstall the update what happens?
    – Ramhound
    Commented Oct 1, 2023 at 6:26
  • Try: (1) Set the background to solid color, (2) Turn off "Snap Windows" in Settings > Multitasking. (source)
    – harrymc
    Commented Oct 1, 2023 at 8:29
  • Use Task Manager - Details to see if part of the update, or subsequent malware scan and post-update cleanup, is still running and using a lot of CPU or I/O, slowing everything.
    – DrMoishe Pippik
    Commented Oct 1, 2023 at 14:49
  • @harrymc Lol, I don't believe it, but setting a manual 'accent color' (as suggested on your link) has made the world of difference and it's quite fast now. Wild. Thanks for the link!
    – Brad
    Commented Oct 1, 2023 at 20:23
  • 1
    The solutions people propose help, but they don’t solve the fundamental problem. For example, using a background image of the right aspect ratio eliminates the background jitter, but it does not prevent the system from waiting a second before switching. There will probably be no solution until MS eliminate the delay.
    – Randy Cragun
    Commented Oct 22, 2023 at 20:13

6 Answers 6

Reset to default
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For most people, disabling the animation effects does the job:

  • Disable Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects > Animation effects

  • Another report said to select from Settings > Ease of access > Contrast themes (link), but this wasn't required for the poster.

Other solutions for solving the animation lag come from the post Slow virtual desktop switching on windows 11, where some workarounds were suggested and where several users have attested to their effectiveness.

  1. Set up a fixed Accent Color in Settings > Personalisation > Colours.
  2. Set up a solid Background color in Settings > Personalisation > Background.

The first setting seemed to have been enough to solve the slow switching problem between desktops for the poster (at least for now). Some users in the post have also said that the second setting helped with the problem.

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  • 1
    These tips helped, but it's still substantially slower than it used to be. Furthermore, now there's a "sliding" animation, that wasn't there before the newest update. Any way to go back to the old way of things?
    – asdf
    Commented Oct 2, 2023 at 12:55
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    Woooot, disabling animation effects makes switching instant!
    – Brad
    Commented Oct 2, 2023 at 16:59
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    Kinda a bummer to have to disable all animations for this, but it's definitely worth it. Just feels like I slow down my efficiency to a halt when switching desktops with that animation!
    – dtbarne
    Commented Oct 12, 2023 at 14:51
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    +1 only had to turn off animation effects and it's instant now
    – Martijn
    Commented Nov 1, 2023 at 5:26
  • 2
    @primo: I accepted and acted upon your remarks.
    – harrymc
    Commented Nov 18, 2023 at 10:48
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I know that disabling the animations can fix the issue, but if you wish to keep the animations while making the virtual desktop switching itself faster, I got you a solution. But first, I'll explain why this is happening.

Symptom: 2 second delay when switching desktop using shortcut (Ctrl+win+right/left) or when using trackpad or mouse shortcut.

Why this happens: This is a common issue when desktop background is not the same aspect ratio, and when you use to fit your desktop image to "Fill." You may notice that right before you switch desktops, the image shifts slightly upwards.

Here's how to solve this.

If you don' t mind a pure color empty background. You can change the background to one of the pure colors.

If you want to keep using image background:

1. Know what resolution you are running in your desktop

Common resolutions are the following:

  • 16:9 (1366×768†, 1920×1080, 2560x1440, 3840x2160)
  • 16:10 (280×800, 1920×1200, 2560x1600, 3840x2400)

Some resolutions differ especially with laptops with 16:10 aspect ratios.

2. Edit the photo you use as your desktop

  • Crop the image to fit the aspect ratio (16:9, 16:10, etc.)
  • Its best practice to use the current screen's resolution
  • Save a copy and remember its location

3. Change your desktop wallpaper to the edited image

  • You can do this by Right Clicking the desktop > Personalize > Background

4. Remove old virtual desktops

  • Click Win+Tab to open Virtual Desktop Switcher
  • Remove all other Virtual Desktops (because they still use the old wallpaper)

5. Test if there is still lag

  • Try to use your preferred desktop switching method and see if the problem still persists

Let me know if this workaround helps! Upvote if you think that Windows should fix this stupid weird bug. xD

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  • Of the built-in wallpapers at C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper\ThemeB (folded acrylic layers on dark backgrounds), two are 3840×2400, but one is 3841×2400, and another is 3840×2401. Oh, dear.
    – Randy Cragun
    Commented Oct 13, 2023 at 22:06
  • “Fill” is not the only problem. I tested every option for “choose a fit for your desktop image”, and the only one that does not cause this issue is “Tile”. This was using a 3841×2400 image on a 3840×2160 display resolution. I imagine that some settings might not produce the issue with some image sizes (e.g. “Center” when both dimensions of the image are smaller than the display resolution dimensions).
    – Randy Cragun
    Commented Oct 13, 2023 at 22:19
  • A even simpler solution is to change the background to pure color black. Really Thank you!
    – xgdgsc
    Commented Dec 6, 2023 at 6:19
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This command disables desktop switching animation. Need Administrator privilege.

./vivetool /disable /id:42354458

Get vivetool here.

Reference

https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows11/comments/16tx25r/any_way_to_remove_virtual_desktop_switching/

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0

In my case: I just removed the desktop with the old wallpaper, and now everything is working fine. There was no need to disable the Animation Effects.

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0

As suggested above, for me the problem was related to having different desktop images on each desktop.

I changed my Windows Theme to "Windows Spotlight", a default theme that changes background images over time, and the delay disappeared.

I didn't need to disable animations or anything else.

I imagine that using background images of the same size would work as well as having a pure background colour.

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-1

In my case (Win10) problem was with Power Toys. I heard Power Toys in some ways is buid in Win11.

Hope it helps.

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  • 4
    Power Toys is NOT built-into Windows 11. You are most likely thinking about Windows Terminal being the default terminal handler.
    – Ramhound
    Commented Oct 13, 2023 at 12:38
  • @Ma ga, can you elaborate on the Power Toys issue? I have them installed.
    – Brad
    Commented Oct 13, 2023 at 13:31
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    @Brad, Reported bug on Git Hub. github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues/29201 You can just turn off FancyZones and everything will be ok, but... without FancyZones
    – Ma ga
    Commented Oct 16, 2023 at 7:32
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    I turned off Fancy Zones, and there is still a delay before switching. Note also that that bug report mentions a delay only when switching more than once quickly.
    – Randy Cragun
    Commented Oct 22, 2023 at 20:16

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