KDE has finally merged a two‑decade‑old request: per‑monitor virtual desktops. Until now, flipping a workspace on one screen forced every display to follow, limiting multi‑monitor workflows. The new KWin option lets each monitor show a different virtual desktop, giving power users finer control without abandoning the traditional synchronized mode. This change also aligns KDE with emerging workflow trends in professional and creative environments.

Support arrives only under Wayland; X11 sessions remain unchanged, though XWayland apps behave like native Wayland ones. Public beta testing kicks off on May 14, and the feature ships with KDE Plasma 6.7 slated for a June 2026 release. Developers also posted AUR packages that backport the change to Plasma 6.6 for adventurous testers. The patch adds an API for scripts to switch a screen to a desktop.

While the implementation differs from Hyprland’s independent workspaces, it lays groundwork for alternative modes without breaking existing setups. Users who prefer the classic all‑screens‑sync can keep it, and power users gain immediate productivity gains on multi‑monitor rigs. Early adopters report smoother multitasking when dragging windows between monitors, a capability for developers and designers. KDE now stands alone among major desktops in offering optional per‑display workspaces.