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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?

Brad
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8 Answers8

58

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.

harrymc
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14

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

xgdgsc
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Marcus Rafael Tiongson
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5

23H2 and later

Run sysdm.cpl -> Advanced -> Performance Settings -> disable Animate controls and elements inside windows

This method has side effects of disabling some other animations, e.g. Win+Tab animation.

This method allows fine control over animations since it does not affect windows minimizing and maximizing animations, taskbar animations etc. (which can be controlled on the same screen) as opposed to the accepted answer.

before 23H2

This command disables desktop switching animation and this animation only. Need Administrator privilege. No side effects.

./vivetool /disable /id:42354458

Get vivetool here.

Reference

Mark Mark
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  • 1
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2

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.

Fernando Claros de Luna
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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.

CompiledWithErrors
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0

Sweet and Simple :

  1. Remove all the Desktops (keep only 1)
  2. Disable Animation from : Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects > Animation effects
  3. Change Background to Any Solid Color/Windows Default Background(Not brand Wallpapers)
Piyush Pattaiya
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0

For me, disabling Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling did the trick. Back to Win10 speeds now.

Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Advanced graphics settings > Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling

You need to restart after switching it off.

Don't know why, my system is no slouch (RTX 3080, AMD 5800X) and it was working great before the update. Guessing Microsoft/Nvidia have some work to do here. Leaving it disabled for now. Maybe for some it might work better if it's enabled, but if you're having this problem (specifically when task switching (Win+Tab) or desktop switching (Ctrl+Win+Right\Left)), give it a try. Relatively simple fix.

flipswitch5point
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-2

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

Hope it helps.

Ma ga
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