---
title: "system.vision.getCurrentDesktop"
description: "Returns the handle of the desktop this function was called from."
---

# system.vision.getCurrentDesktop

> Returns the handle of the desktop this function was called from.

:::info Backwards Compatibility
This function replaces [system.gui.getCurrentDesktop](versioned_docs/version-8.1/appendix/scripting-functions/system-gui/system-gui-getCurrentDesktop.md). Any scripts containing Vision Client scoped functions that were replaced with system.vision syntax will still work to maintain backwards compatibility.
:::

This function is used in **Python Scripting**.

## Description
Returns the handle of the desktop this function was called from. Commonly used with the [system.vision.desktop](appendix\scripting-functions\system-vision\system-vision-desktop.md) function.

:::note
If you have already created a reference to your desktop in a script, you can use the VisionUtilities wrapper class instance method getHandle() instead. Note that you may have to repeat the desktop handle when using this method. 
:::

## Client Permission Restrictions
This scripting function has no [Client Permission](../../../ignition-modules/vision/vision-project-properties/vision-project-properties.md#vision-permissions-properties) restrictions.

## Syntax
`system.vision.getCurrentDesktop()`

### Parameters
Nothing

### Returns
**String** - The handle of the current desktop.

### Scope
Vision Client

## Code Example
```python title="Getting a Desktop's Handle"
# Shows the desktop's handle in a message box.
system.vision.showMessage("This desktop's handle is: %s" % system.vision.getCurrentDesktop())
```