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Whenever I run a program that is already open in another desktop it automatically switches me to that particular desktop. and it's so annoying with some programs like notepad++ that I use for many many other reasons.

preferentially, I want windows to open a new instance, and if it's not possible I want windows to bring that program to the currently selected desktop, not switching the desktops.

Is this possible?

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    No; Virtual Desktops do not work like the way you want them to on Windows.
    – Ramhound
    Apr 4, 2017 at 20:15

2 Answers 2

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Virtual Desktops are not Virtual Machines, so they share instances of programs running on the machine.

It's up to the program to decide if you are allowed to open multiple instances or not.

For example, NP++ (specifically) has a Preference named "Multi-Instance", if you change that to allow multiple instances, you can open multiple instances, including on different desktops:

NP++ Multi-Instance Prefernces

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  • It isn't just about NP++, I wish if there be a general solution.
    – primee
    Apr 6, 2017 at 13:10
  • "It's up to the program to decide if you are allowed to open multiple instances or not." So unfortunately there is no "general" solution. Apr 6, 2017 at 17:27
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    I mean the second alternative (to bring the program to the currently selected desktop) and it's up to the windows totally.
    – primee
    Apr 6, 2017 at 19:15
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In latest versions of Windows 10, go to task view (WIN+TAB) then right click on the window you want to be persistent on all desktops, right click on it while it's "small" and you'll get the choice to show it on all desktops or show a window from it on all desktops.

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