An Easy Solution For Your Alt Tab Not Working on Windows 10!

Talking about electronic gadgets, convenience has always been the key. This is increasingly getting infused into our daily lives and has been rising at an alarming rate since the introduction of our modern-day electronic gadgets. Even while working with our computers, we want everything to be fast and convenient with the rising speed of the age. And in this venture, the combination of Alt and Tab keys have always been relied upon. It is only until now that the users are really frustrated. And this is happening when they find Alt Tab not working.

The basic function of the combination of the Alt and Tab keys is to switch between the windows/applications. You can also switch between your present tasks or the working windows through mouse clicks. However, you can save both the time and the longevity of your mouse if you can do it by pressing just two buttons from your keyboard. Hence, when this particular combination is not working properly gets a significant number of users are hugely annoyed. But, if you want a quick respite from it, you need to go through this extensive guide. Firstly let’s check-up with the possible cases when you might not find your Alt and Tab keys not cooperating with you.

The Possible Situations When you will Find Alt Tab Not Working!

  1. Alt Tab doesn’t Switch in Windows 10 – While working in Windows 10, innumerable users has detected Alt Tab not working in Windows 10.
  2. Alt Tab is just not Clicking in for You – Sometimes in several cases, many have found that the keys Alt and Tab when pressed simultaneously gets them nowhere.
  3. The Particular Combination isn’t Coping Up with Excel.
  4. Aero Peek not Working with Alt Tab – The Aero Peek feature sometimes refuses to work with Alt Tab. However, you can easily get rid of this issue if you re-enable Aero Peek once again on the PC.
  5. The Pair of Alt Tab Keys doesn’t Show you Preview – In some situations you can even note that Alt Tab isn’t getting you the desktop/window previews.
  6. The Window from Alt Tab Fades Out Quickly – Another mentionable disaster is when the menu summoned by Alt Tab disappears in a flicker.

These are the most common situations that you can face with your Alt Tab not working error. Now, to dodge such a situation on the go, we have gathered some researched hacks for your benefit. Glance through the solutions of when your Alt Tab won’t work:

Fix Alt Tab Not Working Promptly

Don’t worry if you are not getting your desired function out of your Alt and Tab keys. We know the piteous plight you are in and we have been in your condition too. This might lead to the development of these smooth methods to solve this nagging problem. Therefore, for your Alt Tab not working, go through the undermentioned solutions:

Resolve 1 – Enabling the Feature which Switches the Apps on Windows 8

The foremost thing that you should do in this case is to check with the dedicated feature for switching apps. For this, have a look below:

  • Visit the starting screen of Windows 8.
  • Next, go to Settings and choose Allow.
  • Here, check whether the option Allow switching between recent apps is enabled.
  • Then, verify by tapping the Alt and Tab keys simultaneously that if it is working or not.

Resolve 2 – Change the Registry Values for Good

Sometimes, altering the registry values might prowess back inefficiently switching the windows through your keyboard. To do this properly, perform the below steps:

  • Tap on the buttons with the Windows logo on along with the letter “R” simultaneously. This will open the Run dialog box up.
  • Now, type “regedit” and then press Enter.
  • As you get a window here, work your way through the path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

and then, expand each of them. Thus, you can first go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER and then on Software and continue along.

  • Towards the left-hand side of the screen, seek the option AltTabSettings DWORD. But, if you couldn’t find the option, you should choose to create it up. This you can do by a simple right-click on the right pane and visiting New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Here, type in AltTabSettings as the name of the new DWORD.
  • Next, you need to double-click on the button AltTabSettings DWORD. Navigate to the option Value Data now and change it to 1. Once you have done that, click on the OK button to save the changes.
  • In case you already have this value set, then you need to go to AltTabSettings. Once you find it, click on Delete, which appears on the menu.
  • After you get the confirmation menu, click on the Yes option.

As you will get the registry removed, you would definitely get the problem resolved.

Resolve 3 – Go for a Fresh Start of the Windows Explorer

If you don’t find the Alt Tab working on your Windows 10 PC, a simple restart of the Windows Explorer often comes to the rescue. Following the undermentioned steps will lead to the way to restart Windows Explorer:

  • Press Ctrl, Shift and Esc keys at the same time to open the Task Manager.
  • Find for the Windows Explorer process. After you get it spotted, right-click on it and then click on the option Restart.

As you would be done with the steps and with the restart of the Windows Explorer, you will see the Alt Tab working again like it did before on your computer. But remember that this issue can revert again. So, all you need to do is to repeat the same procedure to sort the issue out.

Resolve 4 – The Peek Option must be Enabled

In some instances the Alt tab might not be working at the first instance, but it can be fixed just by enabling the Peek Option. Thus, if you need to enable that, follow the instructions below:

  • Type in “Advanced” as you will get the Search bar. After that, choose the option View Advanced System Settings.
  • Navigate to the Performance section and then click on Settings.
  • Here, ensure that the Enable Peek option is checked in the box. Once you see it positive, click on the Apply and then on OK to save the changes.
  • Going minutely through these steps can get the combination keys working immediately.

Resolve 5 – Remove the Connected Components of your Computer

In a significant number of the cases where you might not find the Alt Tab keys working together might just be the cause of your unnecessary computer peripherals. However, computer additions like headsets and USB devices can easily be disconnected to make Alt Tab working flawlessly. As this is a temporary solution, hence, you need to remember this thing and carry it out if you find the issue recurring.

Resolve 6 – Via Enabling/Disabling the Hotkeys

Hotkeys might as well hinder or stop the function of the pair of Alt and Tab keys. You might detect that your Hotkeys were disabled and that mere thing was giving you sleepless nights. Third-party software can take part in bringing you this misfortune. But enabling the Hotkeys can sort it out in a moment. Learn how:

  • Press the key with the Windows logo on and the “R” key together and then enter “gpedit.msc”. After that tap the Enter button and click on Ok

You will find the Group Policy Editor kicking in. Once you are in it, navigate User Configuration>Administrative Templates>Windows Components>File Explorer.

  • Next, in the right panel, double-click on the option which is as Turn off Windows Key hotkeys.
  • Here, pick Enabled and after that, click on the Apply button and then on Ok to save the changes.

These are a few simple steps that you can easily perform and get your Alt Tab keys working back as it was normal. If the situation is somewhat contradictory, then you can visit a professional who might take you out of your troubles. But, let us know if you find the article helpful or not. We will await your feedback and we will be back soon with the solution of the worst issues of yours.  

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Nathaniel Villa
Nathaniel Villa
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