[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYXu8dW8XeA&w=600]
If you haven’t tried Mission Control—the handy Mac feature that gives you a bird’s-eye view of all your open windows and virtual desktops—it’s high time you gave it a whirl.

Now, Mission Control will go ahead and add a new virtual desktop whenever you activate the full-screen view for an app or a browser (just click the arrows in the top-right corner of the window).

But what if you want to create a new, blank desktop on your own?

Create a new Mac Mission Control desktop

Just click the “+” in the top-right corner of the screen to add a new Mission Control desktop.

Here’s how:

  • Activate Mission Control by swiping up with three fingertips on your Mac’s trackpad, or tapping the Mission Control button (it’s sharing space on the F3 key) on your keyboard.
  • Scroll your mouse to the upper-right corner of the screen; when you do, a translucent square with a “plus” sign will slide into view.
  • Click the square, and presto—you’ve got a new virtual desktop. Click the desktop to open it.
  • Done with your new desktop? Open Mission Control again, hover your mouse over the virtual desktop you want to close, and click the little “X” that appears in the corner; the desktop will close, and any windows that were still open in that space will fly to another active desktop.

Bonus tip

You can also create a new desktop in Mission Control by dragging an application window to the top-right corner of the screen; just drag, wait for the square with the “plus” sign to appear, then release.

Looking for more Mac tips? Click here!

Subscribe for free tips!

Subscribe for free tips!

Get free tips, how-tos and deals from here’s the thing delivered straight to your inbox each week.

Thanks! To confirm your subscription, please click the link we just sent to your mail inbox.