An always-on-top badge that shows the name of your current Windows 11 virtual desktop — on every desktop, updated the moment you switch.
Running a dozen virtual desktops and constantly losing track of which one you're on — or what you opened it for? Windows 11 lets you name virtual desktops, but it only shows that name when you open the Win+Tab task view. The rest of the time you're guessing, switching desktops blindly, and breaking your flow just to check where you are.
DeskTag is a free, open-source Windows 11 utility that displays your current virtual desktop's number and name as a small always-on-top badge, visible on every desktop. It updates instantly when you switch desktops, and you can rename a desktop by double-clicking the badge. Build it once, leave it running.
If you split your work across many virtual desktops — one for code, one for email, one for meetings, one for research — you've hit the same wall:
- Stop guessing which desktop you're on. The current desktop number and name stay on screen at all times, so you always know where you are.
- Tie each desktop to its task. Name desktops
Work,Email,Gaming,Research— and actually see that label without opening Win+Tab. - Cut the context-switch tax. No more pressing Win+Tab just to remember what this desktop was for. One glance and you're back in flow.
- Rename without leaving your work. Double-click the badge to rename the current desktop in place.
- Always visible. A compact pill stays on top across every virtual desktop.
- Live updates. Reacts instantly when you switch desktops (Win+Ctrl+←/→).
- Inline rename. Double-click the badge to rename the current desktop in place — no Win+Tab needed.
- Nine positions + drag. Pick an anchor from the tray menu or drag the badge anywhere; the chosen spot is remembered between runs.
- Light/dark theme. Follows the Windows system theme automatically.
- Live tray icon. Mirrors the current desktop; right-click for the menu.
- Tiny & native. A single ~680 KB binary — pure Rust + Win32, no runtime dependencies.
| Task | Windows 11 (built-in) | DeskTag |
|---|---|---|
| Tell which desktop you're on | Open Win+Tab to check | Always-on-top badge, always visible |
| See the desktop's name | Only inside Win+Tab | On every desktop, updated live |
| Rename the current desktop | Win+Tab → right-click → rename | Double-click the badge |
| Position the indicator | Not available | 9 anchor presets + drag, remembered |
| Cost | — | Free & open source (MIT) |
| Dark theme | Light theme | Tray menu |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
The badge follows the Windows light/dark theme automatically. Double-click it to rename the current desktop; right-click the tray icon to reposition it or quit.
Place the badge at any of nine anchor points from the tray Position submenu, or drag it anywhere — the spot is remembered between runs.
| Top left | Top right | Top center |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
Grab the latest build from the Releases page:
desktag-x.y.z-x86_64.msi— installer; adds a Start-menu shortcut and can enable autostart.desktag.exe— portable single file; just run it.
Requires the stable Rust toolchain and Windows 11 (24H2, build 26100.2605+).
cargo build --release
The binary lands at target/release/desktag.exe.
- Run
desktag.exe— the badge appears and keeps running in the background. - Switch desktops — the badge follows and updates the label.
- Double-click the badge to rename the current desktop inline.
- Right-click the tray icon for the Position submenu and Quit.
- Drag the badge to place it anywhere on screen.
desktag.exe --once— print the current desktop label and exit (handy for scripts).
The MSI installer can enable autostart during setup. For the portable .exe:
press Win+R, type shell:startup, and drop a shortcut to desktag.exe there.
How do I see which Windows 11 virtual desktop I'm on? By default you have to press Win+Tab to open the task view and look. DeskTag removes that step: it shows the current desktop's number and name in an always-on-top badge that's visible on every desktop, all the time.
Does Windows 11 show the current virtual desktop name on screen? No. Windows 11 only shows virtual desktop names inside the Win+Tab task view — never on the desktop itself. DeskTag adds a persistent on-screen badge so the name is always in view.
How do I rename a Windows 11 virtual desktop? You can right-click a desktop in Win+Tab, or — with DeskTag running — just double-click the badge to rename the current desktop inline, without leaving your work.
Can I show the desktop name on all my virtual desktops at once? Yes. DeskTag pins its badge to every virtual desktop automatically once it's running, so the label is there no matter which desktop you switch to.
Is DeskTag free? Yes. DeskTag is free and open source under the MIT license.
Does DeskTag work on Windows 10? No. DeskTag targets Windows 11 (24H2, build 26100.2605+) and relies on Windows 11 virtual-desktop interfaces.
Will it slow down my PC? No. DeskTag is a single ~680 KB native binary written in Rust + Win32, with no runtime dependencies and no background bloat.
- Windows 11, 24H2 (build 26100.2605) or newer.
- Rust toolchain (stable) — only for building from source.
Note: DeskTag binds undocumented virtual-desktop COM interfaces that can shift between Windows builds. If a Windows update breaks it, please open an issue.
MIT © Nikita Zharinov