How to Quickly Switch Browser Tabs and Windows Using the Keyboard on Windows

We all have a lot to do and in an effort to avoid wasting precious time, you end up opening more tabs than you can handle. If you're new to multitasking, chances are you'll find yourself constantly scrolling and clicking.

Luckily, there are more efficient ways to switch Windows tabs. In this article, TipsMake will cover ways to switch Windows tabs easily. Let's find out right away!

How to Switch Between Different Programs on Windows

With the electronic power of today's smallest chips, it's almost impossible for anyone not to open multiple tabs in a single work session.

However, there is a problem when you have to switch between program windows. This is where the Alt + Tab combination comes into play.

1. Using hotkey Alt + Tab on Windows

Press the Alt + Tab shortcut and you will see all the available window tabs to select. There is also a little trick to this shortcut. Make sure you only press the Tab key after you have previously pressed and held the Alt key.

 

The tab switcher will appear as soon as you do this. Then press the Tab key repeatedly to cycle through your window tabs. When you find the program window you want to use, release the key and your tabs will be switched.

Furthermore, you can easily adjust this switching order. Hit the Shift + Tab + Alt shortcut and the tab switching order will be reversed. Again, you have to get the keys in the right order. Launch the tab switcher first. From there, press Alt and Shift together, then click Tab to switch tabs.

If you love this hotkey, be sure to check out how to customize the Alt + Tab switcher on Windows.

2. Use Alt + Tab with the arrow keys on Windows

When you switch tabs using the Alt + Tab shortcut , you have to keep pressing the Tab key if you want to move/switch between windows. However, you don't have to do that - you can choose a less cumbersome way instead.

Once you've opened the tab switcher, release the Tab key while still holding the Alt key. Then use any of the arrow keys to switch between window tabs.

3. Use the shortcut Alt + Ctrl + Tab on Windows

Press the Alt + Ctrl + Tab shortcut to open the tab switcher. At first, it will look similar to the methods above; however, you will quickly learn that you do not need to press any keys to keep it open. Press the shortcuts once and the tab switcher will simply disappear after you select a window to switch to.

4. Use the shortcut Win + Tab

Press the Win + Tab shortcut once to get a screen with all your window tabs at once. Now, click on the window you want to open. This method is especially good if you have a lot of windows open, as it allows you to quickly switch between windows with one click.

How to Switch Between Browser Tabs on Windows

But what if you're switching browser tabs instead of File Explorer or program tabs? In those cases, you can use different key combinations in addition to the Ctrl key. While TipsMake.com has a full guide on how to organize browser tabs for optimal productivity, this article will focus on switching browser tabs on Windows.

When you have multiple tabs open in your browser, you can switch to the next tab by pressing the Ctrl + Tab shortcut . Similarly, press the Ctrl + Shift + Tab shortcut to switch to the previous tab.

If you want to switch your tabs by number, press Ctrl + 1 through Ctrl + 9 to switch your tabs by number. For example, press Ctrl + 3 to open the 3rd tab. And if you press the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + T , your browser will reopen the last closed tab and automatically switch to it.

Switching between Windows tabs is a simple task. With the shortcuts that the article has presented above, all you have to do is try them a few times and you will be able to memorize them relatively quickly.