Trick to use Alt + Tab on Windows 10

Alt + Tab shortcuts allow you to switch between open windows, not only that, the Alt + Tab converter also has other useful but hidden keyboard shortcuts. This article will show you some useful Alt + Tab tips on Windows 10 and 7.

People often use the standard Alt + Tab key by pressing Alt + Tab , holding down the Alt key and then continuing to press the Tab key to move through open windows. Release the key when you go through the window you want to display.

1. Convert windows in the opposite direction

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Alt + Tab shortcuts often move forward, left to right. If you miss the window you want to display, you need to press Tab to complete the list again to get to that window. This is a bit time-consuming especially when you have multiple windows open.

Fortunately, another way you can use it is to press Alt + Shift + Tab to move through the windows in the opposite direction. If you are pressing Alt + Tab and going through the window you want, press and hold the Shift key while still pressing the Alt key, then press Tab to return to the left.

2. Select the window with the arrow keys

You can select the windows in Alt + Tab with the arrow keys. Press Alt + Tab to open the converter and continue holding the Alt key. Instead of pressing Tab , use the arrow keys on the keyboard to select the window you want, then release the Alt key, press Enter or the spacebar.

3. Use the mouse to switch and close the window

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You can also use the mouse with Alt + Tab converter. Press Alt + Tab , continue holding down Alt and click on the window you want to switch to.

While using the mouse, you will see an x appear in the top right corner of the minimized window when hovering over. Click x to close the application window. This is a quick way to close multiple windows.

4. Use Alt + Tab without holding the Alt key

Alt + Tab converters often close when you release the Alt key. But, if you want to use Alt + Tab without holding the Alt key, you can do that. Press Alt + Ctrl + Tab , then release all three keys. The Alt + Tab converter will remain open on your screen.

You can use the Tab key, arrow keys or mouse to select the window you want. Press Enter or space to display the selected window.

5. Close the Alt + Tab converter without displaying the window

You can close the Alt + Tab converter at any time by releasing the Alt key, but it will switch to the window you are selecting. To close the Alt + Tab converter without displaying the window, press the Esc key on your keyboard.

6. Activate the old Alt + Tab converter

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Do you remember the old Windows XP Alt + Tab converter? It does not have any thumbnail preview of the window, only the icon and window title on the gray background. You can still see this Alt + Tab converter on Windows 10 for compatibility reasons while playing certain games.

You can also open the old Alt + Tab converter with a hidden shortcut. While pressing and holding the left or right Alt key, press and release another Alt key on the keyboard, then press the Tab key. You will see the old converter appear but the next time you press Alt + tab, you will see the new converter. If you want the old converter you need to do the same thing as above.

With the classic converter you can't use the mouse or the arrow keys. However, it supports Ctrl + Shift + Tab to move tabs in the opposite direction and press Esc to close it.

If you like this old Alt + Tab converter, you can change the AltTabSettings value in the Windows Registry so that it appears every time you press Alt + Tab.

7. Switch between tabs instead of windows

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In most applications that provide integrated tabs, you can use Ctrl + Tab to switch between tabs, just like when using Alt + Tab to switch between windows. Hold down the Ctrl key and then press the Tab repeatedly to switch to the right tab.

You can even convert tabs in the opposite direction (right to left) by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Tab .

8. Use Task View with Windows + Tab

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Windows + Tab is a shortcut similar to Alt + Tab. It opens the Task View interface, provides a thumbnail view of open windows and even multiple desktops to organize them on it. It also includes Windows Timeline, but you can turn it off if you want.

After pressing Win + Tab , you can drop both keys and use the mouse or arrow keys to select the window. To move a window to another virtual desktop, drag it to the desktop icon at the top of the screen with your mouse.

This is the same interface that opens when you click the Task View button to the right of the Cortana icon on the taskbar. However, the shortcut will be more convenient.

9. Install Alt + Tab converter instead

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You can also replace the integrated Windows Alt + Tab converter with a third-party Alt + Tab replacement. For example, NTWind's free Alt + Tab provides a more powerful, customizable Alt + Tab converter. It has larger window previews and an integrated Terminate function to close improper applications.