This is probably a dumb realization, also a number of years later.

I've always had trouble with using virtual desktops. Just never could get used to it. I recently looked into the feature on Windows, the Task View thing. And it's quite intuitive for me. I can't help but think that the issue I had was that I spend more time with the kb / mouse instead of just a keyboard hence why the standard usage in most DE's didn't click for me (keyboard shortcuts).

Is this maybe one of the reasons that people generally dislike the Gnome Shell? It's more point and click friendly for the multiple desktops than keyboard?