Five Hidden Secrets to Switching Windows Apps
Alt-Tab was one of the first Windows keyboard shortcuts I learned when I first used a computer over two decades ago, right after Ctrl-C (copy) and Ctrl-V (paste). Alt-Tab opens the app switcher, which lets you quickly bring another app to the foreground. You can use it to quickly switch between two open applications or to switch between all open applications. But what you may not know is that the app switcher can do a lot more. I’m here to introduce you to the best tricks hidden in commonly used Windows features.
Cycle through open apps
Hold down the Alt key and continue to press Tab to open the app switcher and view all open apps. Once you release the shortcut, the selected app will come to the foreground. You can also view this list in reverse order by holding Alt-Shift and pressing the Tab key repeatedly.
Prevent auto-hide app switcher
The temporary nature of the app switcher is a bit annoying at times. Once you release Alt-Tab, the app switcher will disappear. You can get around this by pressing Alt-Ctrl-Tab . You can now release the keyboard shortcut and leave the app switcher floating above all your open apps. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the list of open applications, or use the mouse to directly select the application you want. To close the app switcher, simply click outside of it.
If this shortcut is too difficult to press, try using the Alt key to the right of the spacebar along with Tab. So, press the right Alt-Tab key and this will also prevent the app switcher from auto-hiding.
Use the app switcher to close apps
Once you open the app switcher, you can also use it to quit apps. Press Alt-Ctrl-Tab to open the app switcher, then move the cursor to any thumbnail on the screen. In the top right corner of each thumbnail, you will see a small X button. Click X to exit this application. Alternatively, you can use the arrow keys to select any application and press the Delete key to exit the selected application.
Enjoy full screen viewing
If a small floating window isn’t enough for you, you can also make the app switcher full screen. Press Windows-Tab to open Task View, which displays a list of all open applications in full screen. You can use this to switch to any application or exit applications. Press Esc to exit this view.
Try a third party configuration tool
While the default Windows settings work well, you may also want to consider using third-party apps to customize the app switcher theme. Both Winaero Tweaker and AltPlusTab allow you to change the appearance of the application switcher. You can use these apps to change the switch’s opacity, fonts, appearance, and more.