How to Change Alt+Tab Tabs in Windows 11

Understanding Alt+Tab and Snap Assist Previews

Alt+Tab lets you quickly switch between open windows by showing small previews. Snap Assist helps you arrange windows on your screen. In Windows 11, both can also show previews of tabs from apps like Microsoft Edge, helping you find the exact window or tab you need faster.

Option 1Adjusting Tab Previews Through Windows Settings (Easiest Method)

The Windows Registry editor offers the most user-friendly method to change the number of tabs shown when you multitask. This adjustment is ideal for everyday users who want a quick change without needing to explore complex settings.

1. Open Settings

   The fastest way to get here is by pressing the Win+I on your keyboard. This will pop open the main Windows Settings ⚙️ app.

2. Navigate to Multitasking Settings

   Multitasking settings in Windows 11 let you control how browser tabs appear when you use the Alt+Tab shortcut or snap windows on your screen. Open the Settings ⚙️ app from your Start menu ⊞, select System from the left sidebar menu, and then click on Multitasking to access these display controls.

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   💡TipIf you don't see "Multitasking" right away, scroll down the list on the right side.

   If you don't see "Multitasking" right away, scroll down the list on the right side. It might be a bit further down!

3. Expand the Desktops Section

   Inside the Multitasking settings, you'll see a few different options. Find the one labeled Desktops and click on it to expand it. Even though it says "Desktops," this section also controls the Alt+Tab and snapping behavior.

4. Choose Your Preferred Number of Tabs

   Windows 11 alt tab tabs preferences can be updated quickly through the main settings menu to show more or fewer open browser pages. Locate the option labeled Show tabs from apps when snapping or pressing Alt + Tab, and click the dropdown menu to select between 20, 5, or 3 recent tabs.

   • 20 most recent tabs: This is the maximum number of tabs Windows will show you. Great if you work with many browser tabs open and want quick access to them.
   
   
   • 5 most recent tabs: A good middle ground, showing a decent number without cluttering the screen too much.
   
   
   • 3 most recent tabs (default): This is likely what you have now. It shows just a few tabs, keeping the preview cleaner.
   
   
   • Don't show tabs: If you find the tab previews distracting or unnecessary, selecting this option will turn them off completely. Alt+Tab will then only show your open windows, not individual tabs.

   Simply click on the option you prefer. Your change is usually applied immediately.

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5. Close Settings

   That's it! You can now close the Settings window. Try pressing Alt+Tab or dragging a window to the side to see your new settings in action.

Option 2Using the Registry Editor for Current User Settings

Registry Editor allows you to change alt tab tabs windows 11 settings specifically for your user account when the standard settings app fails. Type regedit into your Start menu search bar to open the tool, keeping in mind that you must follow the correct folder path to avoid system errors.

Always be careful and follow the steps precisely. It's a good idea to back up your registry before making changes.

Step-by-Step Registry Editing:

1. Open Registry Editor

   Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter or click OK. You might see a User Account Control (UAC) prompt; click Yes to continue.

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2. Navigate to the Correct Registry Key

   The exact registry path for windows 11 alt tab tabs settings is located under the Advanced folder in your user profile. Open Registry Editor and paste HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced directly into the top address bar to reach the correct destination instantly.

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

   Tip: You can also copy and paste the path directly into the address bar at the top of the Registry Editor window and press Enter.

3. Create or Modify the 'MultiTaskingAltTabFilter' Value (a registry entry that controls tab previews)

   MultiTaskingAltTabFilter (a registry entry that controls tab previews) manages how many browser pages appear when switching tasks on your computer. Look for this specific value inside the Advanced folder, or create a new DWORD value with this exact name if it does not already exist.

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   • If the value exists: Double-click on MultiTaskingAltTabFilter.
   • If the value doesn't exist: Right-click in the empty space in the right-hand pane, select New, then DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it exactly MultiTaskingAltTabFilter. Then, double-click on the new value you just created.

4. Set the Value Data

   Value data numbers for windows 11 alt tab tabs determine how many previews appear on your screen when you switch between apps. Double-click your registry entry, make sure the base is set to Hexadecimal, and type 0 for twenty tabs, 1 for five tabs, 2 for three tabs, or 3 to turn off previews completely.

   • 0 (zero): To show 20 most recent tabs.
   
   
   • 1: To show 5 most recent tabs.
   
   
   • 2: To show 3 most recent tabs (this is the default).
   
   
   • 3: To not show any tabs.

   
   

   The "Base" setting in the Registry Editor must be Hexadecimal, which is typically the default. After changing the "Base" to Hexadecimal, click OK to save the adjustment for the registry value.

5. Restart Your PC or Sign Out

   For the changes to take effect, you usually need to either restart your computer or sign out and sign back in. This ensures Windows reloads its settings.

Option 3Using Group Policy Editor for All Users (Windows Pro/Enterprise/Education Only)

Local Group Policy Editor (a tool for managing system-wide rules on professional editions of Windows) lets administrators change alt tab tabs windows 11 settings for every user account simultaneously. Press your Windows key, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to launch the editor if you run Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education.

Note: If you have Windows 11 Home edition, you won't have the Local Group Policy Editor. You can use Option 4, which involves registry edits for all users, instead.

Steps to Configure Group Policy:

1. Open Group Policy Editor

   Press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Click Yes if you see a UAC prompt.

2. Navigate to the Multitasking Policy

   In the left pane of the Group Policy Editor, navigate through the folders to find the following path:

   User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Multitasking

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3. Find the "Configure the inclusion of app tabs into Alt-Tab" Policy

   In the right-hand pane, look for a policy named Configure the inclusion of app tabs into Alt-Tab. Double-click on it to open its settings.

4. Enable the Policy and Choose Settings

   You have a few choices here:

   • To Control Tab Previews:

     Group Policy settings for windows 11 alt tab tabs are managed by enabling the policy rule and selecting your preferred viewing limit from a dropdown menu. Navigate to the correct folder, choose Enabled, pick your display preference, and click Apply to enforce the rule across all user accounts.

     • Open windows and 20 most recent tabs in apps
     
     
     • Open windows and 5 most recent tabs in apps
     
     
     • Open windows and 3 most recent tabs in apps
     
     
     • Open windows only (this means no tabs will be shown)

     Click Apply and then OK.

   • To Allow Users to Choose (Default Behavior):

     Select the Not Configured radio button. This will allow users to change the setting themselves using the Windows Settings app (Option 1) or the Registry Editor for their own account (Option 2). Click Apply and then OK.

5. Close Group Policy Editor

   You can now close the Group Policy Editor. Changes made here usually take effect immediately or after a restart/sign-out.

Option 4Using the Registry Editor for All Users

Registry Editor system-wide changes let Windows 11 Home users configure alt tab tabs settings for every person who logs into the computer. Back up your registry before proceeding, as editing system keys affects the entire machine and requires careful attention to detail.

Warning: Modifying the registry can cause system instability if not done carefully. Ensure you are following these steps exactly. Back up your registry first if possible.

Steps for All Users Registry Edit:

1. Open Registry Editor

   Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Click Yes on the UAC prompt.

2. Navigate to the Policies Key

   You need to go to a specific location that policies are stored in. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

   Important: If the Explorer key doesn't exist under Windows, you'll need to create it. Right-click on the Windows key, select New > Key, and name it Explorer.

3. Create or Modify 'MultiTaskingAltTabFilter'

   In the right-hand pane of the Explorer key, you need to create or modify the MultiTaskingAltTabFilter value.

   • If it exists: Double-click on MultiTaskingAltTabFilter.
   • If it doesn't exist: Right-click in the empty space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it MultiTaskingAltTabFilter. Then double-click it.

4. Set the Value Data for All Users

   System-wide registry paths for windows 11 alt tab tabs require navigating to the local machine hive to enforce rules across all profiles. Open Registry Editor, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer, and set your hexadecimal value data to control tab visibility for everyone.

   • 1: To show 20 most recent tabs.
   
   
   • 2: To show 5 most recent tabs.
   
   
   • 3: To show 3 most recent tabs.
   
   
   • 4: To not show any tabs.

   Click OK.

   Note: You might also see entries in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer. These policies can sometimes override each other. For system-wide control, the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE path is generally more definitive.

   To Reset to Default: If you want to revert to allowing users to choose their own settings (like in Option 1), you can either delete the MultiTaskingAltTabFilter value from the registry key mentioned above or set its value data to 0 (zero) in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER path and ensure it's not set in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE path.

5. Restart Your Computer

   A system restart is typically required for these all-user registry changes to fully apply across Windows.

Conclusion

You can now easily change how many tabs show up when you use Alt+Tab or Snap Assist in Windows 11. Whether you use the simple Settings app or the more advanced Registry Editor, you can find the best way to manage your open tabs and improve your workflow.