Geek Rewind

Configure Alt + Tab in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Richard

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The post provides a guide on configuring the Alt+Tab functionality in Windows 11 to switch between open windows. It also includes instructions on how to select what to view when Alt+Tab is pressed, including options for Microsoft Edge tabs. The guide directs users to the System Settings pane, specifically the Multitasking settings, to make these…

This article explains configuring what the Alt + Tab shows in Windows 11.

By default, the Alt + Tab lets you switch between open windows in Windows 11 and other versions of Windows.

Press the Alt+Tab keys on your keyboard while holding down the Alt key and tapping on the Tab key. This will scroll through your open windows. When you see an outline around the window you want, release the Alt key to select it.

That’s the most common way to use the Alt+Tab keys in Windows. Alt + Tab moves typically forward, from left to right. So, if you miss a window, you’ll keep pressing the Alt key until you return to the window you want to select.

You can also use the Alt+Shift+Tab to move through the windows in reverse order instead of from left to right.

In Windows 11, Microsoft added features to the Alt+Tab keys to open Microsoft Edge tabs as Windows. You can now configure the Alt+Tab key to perform the following actions:

  • Open windows and all tabs in Microsoft Edge
  • Open windows and 5 most recent tabs in Microsoft Edge (default)
  • Open windows and 3 most recent tabs in Microsoft Edge
  • Open windows only

Below is how to configure the Alt+Tab keys in Windows 11.

How to choose what to show when the Alt+Tab keys are pressed in Windows 11

As mentioned above, by default, the Alt+Tab lets you switch between open windows in Windows 11 and other versions of Windows.

In Windows 11, you can choose what to show when you press the Alt+Tab keys, and below is how to configure that setting.

Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. All can be done from the pane, from system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows.

To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings, as shown in the image below:

windows 11 start settings

Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar to search for Settings. Then select to open it.

In Windows Settings, click System, then on the right pane, and select the Multitasking tile to expand it.

windows 11 multitasking tile updated
Windows 11 multitasking tile updated

On the Multitasking settings pane, select the tile for the Alt + Tab tile, then using the drop-down option, choose what to show when you press the Alt + Tab keys on your keyboard.

You can select Alt+Tab to show:

  • Open windows and all tabs in Microsoft Edge
  • Open windows and 5 most recent tabs in Microsoft Edge (default)
  • Open windows and 3 most recent tabs in Microsoft Edge
  • Open windows only

You can now exit the Settings app.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

In summary, configuring the Alt + Tab settings in Windows 11 allows you to customize your multitasking experience. Here are the key points to remember:

  • The Alt + Tab function enables efficient switching between open windows.
  • You can select from multiple options regarding how many Microsoft Edge tabs are displayed when using Alt + Tab.
  • The configuration can be easily accessed through the System Settings under Multitasking.
  • Customizing the Alt + Tab settings can enhance your workflow and improve productivity.
  • Check your settings periodically to ensure they align with your current usage preferences.

Comments

  1. Emil Boeg Avatar
    Emil Boeg

    I just have a problem with the outline of windows when using alt+tab
    Often I sit and stare to be apple to see which window is now in scope.

    Reply
  2. Charlie Arehart Avatar
    Charlie Arehart

    I’m with Emil. I came here hoping perhaps it would offer an answer.

    BTW, to Richard’s otherwise helpful post above, note that the feature for having alt-tab optionally show Edge tabs is not new to Windows 11. It was/is in Windows 10 (indeed, it’s enabled by default, IIRC, as it’s something I always turned off.)

    Reply
  3. win11 noobie Avatar
    win11 noobie

    In switching among open windows with Alt+Tab, the black outline of the chosen window is too narrow to distinguish quickly and effectively. Can we either increase the width of the outline or make it a brighter color so it will stand out and make the choice more obvious?

    Reply
  4. S Clark Avatar
    S Clark

    I work on 2 screens and losing the “auto snap” (for lack of a better term) means that now instead of instantly working in the other window, I get a screen and have to do another mouse click to get to the window I want to go to.
    In other words, this “upgrade” has lowered my efficiency.

    Is there any way to change the settings to what it was before?

    Reply
  5. ez Avatar
    ez

    after latest update, alt+tab now uses it’s own order regardless of last used etc & there is noway to change it.
    typical ms fubar

    Reply
  6. Robert Avatar
    Robert

    I fixed this alt+tab issue by updating registry, doing this:

    How to enable old ‘Alt + Tab’ shortcut using Registry
    To enable the legacy Alt + Tab shortcut style on Windows 10 or 11, use these steps:

    Open Start.
    Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry.
    Browse the following path:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

    Right-click the Explorer (folder) key, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

    Name the key AltTabSettings and press Enter.
    Double-click the newly created DWORD and set the value from 0 to 1.

    Click the OK button.
    Restart your computer or kill explorer exe and run new explorer.exe
    voila

    Reply
    1. Dan Avatar
      Dan

      Omg, I am looking for this for months! Thank you so much, it works great!

      Reply
    2. Paul Avatar
      Paul

      Also a huge thank you from me !! Why on earth they changed the alt tab order is beyond me and was driving a me crazy after decades of navigating this way.

      Reply
    3. Robert Avatar
      Robert

      Hey! Some advice that works!

      Reply
  7. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Thank you so much! I had no idea and it was driving me nuts that Windows thought that Edge tabs were important enough to be shown by default with alt+tab.

    Reply
  8. Timmy Avatar
    Timmy

    The order of that list is chronological, but 1 program does not follow that chronology (since the update Windows 11): AutoCAD. For me, that is the most important program. So since I work with multiple programs, my most important program is at position 10.
    Is it possible to include this in the chronology?

    Reply

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