Quick note

I wrote this as a quick evening script to solve my problem. If you're looking for something more robust & need more than this script can give you, check out: https://github.com/sdias/win-10-virtual-desktop-enhancer

windows-desktop-switcher

An AutoHotKey script for Windows that lets a user change virtual desktops by pressing Win + <num>. It also allows for creation/deletion of desktops by hotkey (see below).

Overview

This script creates 'better' hotkeys for switching virtual desktops in windows 10. I built this to better mirror the mapping I use on linux (with dwm), and it's always annoyed me that Windows does not have better hotkey support for this feature (for instance, there's no way to go directly to a desktop by number).

Installation

Install AutoHotKey, then run the desktop_switcher.ahk script (open with AutoHotKey if prompted). I would recommend putting it in your startup folder and it'll be invoked on login.

Hotkeys

    <Win> + <Num>      - Switches to virtual desktop "num".
    <Win> + A or P     - Switch to virtual desktop on left
    <Win> + S or N     - Switch to virtual desktop on right

To change the key mappings, modify the bottom of the script and reload. Be sure to read about the symbols AutoHotKey uses for key mapping.

Other

To see debug messages, download SysInternals DebugView.

Disclaimer: I've only tried this on my machine, and on Windows 10. Use at your own risk.