How to Fix Alt + Tab Error in Windows 10
Alt + Tab is one of the best keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10. This allows you to not only switch between applications, but also preview all open windows so you can choose exactly which one you want to switch to. It’s so good that there is even a third-party plugin for macOS to reproduce it. Unfortunately, now it is also broken. But here’s how to fix it.
Why doesn’t the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut work?
For some reason, the August 2021 KB5005033 update (as well as the July 2021 preview KB5004296) for Windows 10 disabled Alt + Tab. There is no explanation why, but something in the update is preventing Alt + Tab from working.
This does not mean that Windows will simply ignore you when you press Alt + Tab. The system still tries to execute the shortcut but fails in various ways. Usually, when you press Alt + Tab, it navigates through the various windows of the application and then opens the selection when you release the keys. Because of this error, Alt + Tab will often just send you back to the desktop. If the application in question is in full screen mode, you get a black screen when you try to return to it, with no way to actually return to that application.
He even has his own opinion: One user reports that when starting a full-screen game from Steam, Windows Alt-Tab quits the game and returns to the desktop.
How to fix Alt + Tab problem in Windows 10
Fortunately, we have a workaround for this glitch, albeit an odd one. To return Alt + Tab to working mode, it is enough to turn off the news and interests feed . To do this, simply right-click on the taskbar, scroll to News and Interests , then select Turn Off .
Alternatively, you can uninstall the update that is causing the error. However, we do not recommend this method as you will be missing out on important security fixes that the August 2021 update provides. Downgrading to a previous version of Windows will leave you vulnerable.
However, if you want to uninstall the update, follow these steps: go to Update & Security , click View Update History , then click Uninstall Updates . Now in Control Panel, select update KB5004296 (July 2021 preview) or KB5005033 (August 2021) and click the uninstall button.