Disable Microsoft Edge Tabs in Alt + Tab on Windows 11

This post explains how to turn off Microsoft Edge tabs using the Alt + Tab function in Windows 11 for students and new users.

In Windows, you can press the Alt + Tab keys on your keyboard while holding down the Alt key, and tapping the Tab key scrolls through your open windows.

By default, Alt + Tab adds the 5 most recent tabs open in Microsoft Edge to app thumbnails when you switch between windows. This behavior was first implemented in Windows 10 and now in Windows 11.

With Windows 11, these are the Alt + Tab settings one can select from:

• 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

As you may have noticed, the default option opens the 5 most recent tabs in the Microsoft Edge browser when browsing Alt + Tab open windows. If you don’t want to show Edge tabs when browsing Alt + Tab windows, follow the steps below to disable them.

How to turn off Microsoft Edge windows in Alt + Tab

As mentioned above, Windows displays the 5 most recent tabs open in Microsoft Edge to app thumbnails when you switch between Alt + Tab windows. If you don’t like this behavior, you can quickly turn it off; the steps below show you how.

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

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

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

Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click System, then on the right pane, and select the Multitasking tile to expand it.

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

Do turn off Microsoft Edge tabs in Alt+Tab windows, and choose the highlighted option as shown in the image:

Open windows only

You can now exit the Settings app.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

In summary, managing how Microsoft Edge tabs appear when using the Alt + Tab function in Windows 11 can enhance your multitasking experience. Here are the key takeaways:

• The default setting shows the 5 most recent Edge tabs, which may clutter your view.
• You can easily alter this setting through the Windows Settings pane.
• Selecting “Open windows only” in the Alt + Tab settings will streamline your window switching.
• This adjustment mainly benefits students and new users seeking a cleaner workspace.
• Regularly review your multitasking settings to optimize your workflow in Windows 11.

Make these changes and enjoy a more streamlined use of Alt + Tab!