How to Change Alt+Tab View to Windowed or Full Screen in Windows 11
Changing the Alt+Tab view in Windows 11 lets you switch between a compact windowed preview and a full-screen display of your open apps. The Alt+Tab switcher is a built-in shortcut that lets you jump between open windows fast without touching your mouse.
You can adjust this view by changing a small setting in the Registry Editor, which is a built-in tool that stores computer settings. To do this, open the Registry Editor and go to `🗝️HKEY_CURRENT_USER\
To enable full-screen Alt+Tab in Windows 11, open the Registry Editor and delete the folder 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet001ControlFeatureManagementOverrides4702590604. If the folder doesn’t exist, your Alt+Tab view may already be full screen. Restart your PC to apply the change.
What is Alt+Tab?
Pressing Alt+Tab cycles through all open apps and windows rapidly. This saves time when managing multiple programs simultaneously.
Tapping Ctrl+Alt+Tab locks the switcher on screen so fingers can rest.
What Changed in 🪟 Windows 11?
Microsoft updated the Alt+Tab switcher in recent operating system revisions, replacing the traditional full-screen layout with a compact window by default.
Microsoft shifted the default behavior starting with Windows 11 build 22554, eventually phasing out the older full-screen layout entirely.
Administrator privileges are required on the computer to alter these settings. Signing in with administrative rights is mandatory before making modifications, as Windows blocks unauthorized attempts to change system-wide configurations.
How to Change Alt+Tab View
1Show Alt+Tab as Full Screen
Restoring the legacy full-screen Alt+Tab view requires navigating the Registry Editor to alter a specific system parameter.
Step-by-step:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
- Type
regeditand press Enter. This opens the Registry Editor. - Navigate to this folder:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\FeatureManagement\Overrides\4\702590604 - If the folder 702590604 exists, right-click it and choose Delete to remove it. What happens when you do this? Windows will switch to full screen Alt+Tab view.
- If the folder doesn't exist, you don't need to do anything — full screen may already be disabled.
- Restart your computer to apply changes.
2Show Alt+Tab as Windowed (Default)
The windowed Alt+Tab view displays the app switcher as a small box centered on the display, which is standard in current Windows 11 releases. Reverting to this boxed layout takes only a few targeted adjustments if the display mode drifts.
Confirmation of the windowed setting requires specific configuration steps:
- Open Registry Editor as explained above.
- Go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\FeatureManagement\Overrides\4\702590604 - If the folder 702590604 does not exist, create it: Right-click on 4 → New → Key → name it 702590604.
- Inside 702590604, create these new DWORD (32-bit) values with these exact names and data:
"EnabledState"=dword:00000002"EnabledStateOptions"=dword:00000001"Variant"=dword:00000000"VariantPayload"=dword:00000000"VariantPayloadKind"=dword:00000000
- Restart your PC for the changes to take effect. What happens when you restart? Windows will apply your new Alt+Tab settings.
Extra Tips
Exercise caution inside the Registry Editor because incorrect modifications cause system instability. Creating a backup beforehand prevents potential issues, and instructions remain available via the Microsoft Registry Backup Guide.
Alternative utilities like Switcher or native virtual desktops accessed via Windows + Tab provide alternative workflows.
Summary
Switching between windowed and full-screen Alt+Tab views in Windows 11 remains possible through targeted registry modifications.
How to make a full screen tab windowed?
And the bar at the top disappears. And you've got full screen this works on other apps as well so here I have Windows Explorer. And I can of course maximize. It again but if I press F11.
Can you alt tab in fullscreen?
Yes, you can Alt+Tab when your current application is in full screen, but the full screen window itself won't appear in the switcher.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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