Blocking Multiple Desktops using "Win+Ctrl+D"

Hello Jules McKenzie-Bell and welcome to the Microsoft Community!

Thank you for your feedback, it's a pleasure to support you!

I think you can refer to the following methods to see if any of them work for you to help you resolve this issue

A. Disable the Virtual Desktop feature via Group Policy

For Windows 10/11 Professional, Enterprise, or Education editions (requires administrator privileges):

1. Open the Group Policy Editor

Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and enter.

2. Locate the Virtual Desktop Policy

Navigate to: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer

Locate the policy on the right: “Block users from creating virtual desktops”.

3. Enable the policy

Double-click on the policy > select “Enabled” > click “OK”.

4. To force the policy to take effect

Run gpupdate /force at the command prompt to refresh the policy.

Effect:

Disables all virtual desktop functions (including Win+Ctrl+D, New button in Win+Tab interface).

You can still see the current window in the task view (Win+Tab), but you cannot create a new desktop.

B. Disabling virtual desktops through the registry

For Windows Home Edition (no Group Policy capability) or if you need to deploy quickly:

1. Open the Registry Editor

Press Win + R, type regedit, and enter.

2. Locate the registry entry

Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

If the Explorer item does not exist, right-click on the blank space > New > Item and name it Explorer.

3. Create a new DWORD value

Right click on the right margin > New > DWORD (32-bit) value, named NoDesktopCreation.

Double-click the value and set the data to 1.

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry or workgroups is usually geared towards advanced users, administrators, and IT professionals, and it can help fix some problems, however, improper registry modifications can cause serious problems. Therefore, please make sure to follow the steps below strictly. For further protection, make a backup of the registry before modifying it. For more information on how to backup and restore the registry ref:https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-back-up-and-restore-the-registry-in-windows-855140ad-e318-2a13-2829-d428a2ab0692

4. Restart Explorer or your computer

Task Manager > Right-click Windows Explorer > Restart.

Effect:

Block the creation of new virtual desktops, but make sure that this registry entry is applied to all student accounts (can be deployed in bulk via script).

C. Disabling the Task View (Win+Tab) Function

If you need to completely disable Task View (including virtual desktop switching):

1. Group Policy Method

Path: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Ctrl+Alt+Del Options

Enable the policy: “Remove Task View”.

2. Registry Method

Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Create a new DWORD value NoTaskView and set the data to 1.

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry or workgroup is usually geared towards advanced users, administrators and IT professionals, and it can help to fix some problems, however, improper registry modifications can lead to serious problems. Therefore, please make sure to follow the steps below strictly. For further protection, make a backup of the registry before modifying it. For more information on how to backup and restore the registry refer to the：https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-back-up-and-restore-the-registry-in-windows-855140ad-e318-2a13-2829-d428a2ab0692

D. Deployment of centralized monitoring and management tools

In order to meet legal compliance requirements, it is recommended to deploy professional education management software, which will help you to centralize your management:

Recommended tools:

Netop Vision: Monitor student screens in real time, restrict applications and websites.

Impero Education Pro: Disable virtual desktops, record activity logs, remote control.

Microsoft Intune for Education: Disable virtual desktops in bulk with policies.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Kirito|Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hey Phil,

No. It seems that Microsoft want every user to be an administrator, which is fine if its their own machine.

From an "Enterprise" perspective this will never work so I don't understand why there are no simple reg edits or INTUNE settings?

Have you found a way to do this yet? I am also trying to find a way to disable Virtual Desktops for our students to prevent them from quickly switching between desktops to "hide" from our classroom management monitoring tools. I cannot find any way to disable Virtual Desktops manually, let alone a method that I can push out using Intune...

Thank you for your reply.

You can also try the following

Use a third-party tool

If the above doesn't work, you can use a third-party program (e.g. AutoHotkey) to remap or disable the shortcut.

Example of a simple AutoHotkey script:

1. Download and install AutoHotkey.
2. Create a new script:

Right-click on the desktop and select “New” > “AutoHotkey Script”.

3. Edit the script:

Right click on the script file, select “Edit Script” and add the following:

Disable the Win + Ctrl + D key combination.

#Disable Win + Ctrl + D key combination

4. Save and run the script.

Then you can try to see if this solves the problem!

Kirito|Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Thanks for the reply Kirito,

The top GPO setting doesn't exist in 24h2 settings.

I have tried the two registry settings and "Win+Ctrl+D" are still active and creating desktops.

I will add that I tried this on my PC and it is a Windows 11 24h2 device not a Windows 10 device.

Either way, I need to have some sort of control over these desktops when I do upgrade the Student PC's to Windows 11 over the next few months.

Is there anything else?

Downgrade ADMX/ADML to an older version?

Move GP to Intune?

Thanks!