Creating a blank and independent desktop 2 on MacBook Pro

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wmaw1972 Author

Level 1

8 points

Creating a blank and independent desktop 2 on MacBook Pro

I just read every answer to this question on the 2023 post of the same title. The question is never answered. Just a bunch of gobbledegook about assigning apps to the new desktop and other pointless non-solutions.

The question is simply how do you create a new blank screen (Desktop 2) that doesn't copy Desktop 1 ? I don't need to assign apps. I just want a blank Desktop so I can put folders from Desktop 1 onto Desktop 2.

And not only does is the new Desktop a copy, it is a mirror image for godsake, so if you delete or add a file or folder on one Desktop, it automatically makes the exact same change on the other.

Okay, perhaps for some reason that is desireable. However, similar to creating a "new" document for example, why isn't the "new" Desktop blank? Anytime you want to copy a document you choose "copy" not "new." Oh but here it's all different!

Why isn't there an easy to find option not to mirror image your previous desktop?

This is some really, really crazy stuff to be required to research, or "grasp" as one of the 2023 commenters put it. Just yikes!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 13.7

Posted on Feb 2, 2025 6:58 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

142,971 points

Feb 2, 2025 2:15 PM in response to wmaw1972

In standard operation, what you see spread out across the desktop is the contents of the Desktop folder from your home folder. There is no standard mechanism for additional or alternate desktops.

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You may be able to accomplish what you want if you completely change the way you use your Mac, and start using "Mission Control" -- a very different and very iPhone-like interface, but already available on your Mac by simply launching the Mission Control App.

An advanced feature of Mission Control includes the concept of separate 'Spaces' which can contain whatever Apps and Windows and backgrounds you desire. You can switch between 'Spaces' with a keyboard shortcut.

Work in multiple spaces on Mac - Apple Support

The further generalization of the 'separate spaces' concept can be carried to multiple displays, where "displays have separate spaces" allows you to assign a 'Space' to a specific physical display.

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Answer 2

leroydouglas

Level 10

201,464 points

Feb 2, 2025 12:55 PM in response to wmaw1972

wmaw1972 wrote:

I just read every answer to this question on the 2023 post of the same title. The question is never answered. Just a bunch of gobbledegook about assigning apps to the new desktop and other pointless non-solutions.

The question is simply how do you create a new blank screen (Desktop 2) that doesn't copy Desktop 1 ?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Not possible.

adding an external display and compare your results(?) Mirrored vs extended still will not a give you what you want,

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Creating a blank and independent desktop 2 on MacBook Pro

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