Switching between apps in Windows 11 can feel a bit clunky sometimes—especially if you’re trying to multitask fast, and Windows doesn’t cooperate. You might notice that Alt + Tab sometimes glitches or doesn’t show everything, or maybe the Task View feels sluggish. Whatever the case, mastering some of these tricks can really smooth out your workflow and save you from constantly clicking around aimlessly. It’s not just about jumping from one app to another—it’s about getting your workspace organized and responsive enough that it feels more natural, even when Windows throws a tantrum. So, here’s a rundown of what’s worked in the trenches, along with some tips to take your app-switching game up a notch.
How to Switch Between Apps in Windows 11
Use Alt + Tab for Quick Jumping — Even When It Acts Up
This is the classic move. Holds true no matter what Windows version you’re running. Press and hold Alt, then tap Tab to cycle through all your open apps. If your task switcher feels frozen or doesn’t show everything, sometimes just restarting Windows or ensuring your graphics drivers are up-to-date helps. You can also tweak this feature in Settings > System > Multitasking > Alt + Tab — pick whether to show all windows, recent ones, or just your pinned apps. On some setups, it’s weird—sometimes it works like magic, and other times it struggles with the list refreshing. Not sure why it’s inconsistent, but a good trick is to slowly tap Alt + Tab repeatedly—sometimes that forces it to redraw.
Open Task View for a Holistic Look
Click the Task View icon on the taskbar or just press Windows + Tab. From there, you get a live overview of all your desktops and open windows. Might seem a bit heavy on some machines, but it’s great for dragging and dropping windows or creating new virtual desktops—especially handy if you run a ton of apps and need a better overview. On a slow setup, maybe give your graphics driver a quick update or disable some fancy animations in Settings > Personalization > Colors > Transparency effects—sometimes this boosts the performance of the Task View.
Click the Icon to Bring Apps to the Front
Most straightforward—just click the app icon on the taskbar. This tends to be reliable, especially if you pin your most-used apps here. But if stuff isn’t appearing or seems stuck, restarting Windows Explorer (via Task Manager, just press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find Windows Explorer, then hit Restart) can wake things up. Also, make sure taskbar settings haven’t been customized in a way that hides or collapses icons you need. It’s ultimately simple, but on some setups, it’s faster than fussing with keyboard shortcuts.
Organize with Snap Assist to Multitask Like a Boss
Drag a window to the edge of your screen to snap it—a way to manage multiple apps visually. If Snap Assist feels off, check if it’s enabled in Settings > System > Multitasking. Sometimes, disabling and re-enabling it can fix glitches. This method doesn’t just organize; it makes switching between windows — especially side-by-side — super easy and less chaotic. It’s kind of weird, but I’ve seen Snap Assist freeze or not offer options if your display drivers are outdated. A quick update or reboot often helps here.
Shortcut Your Way Using Windows + Number
Favored by power users—press Windows + [number] to open the pinned app in that position on the taskbar. If that app is already open, it switches to it. It’s kind of a hidden gem if you’ve curated a solid taskbar. Just make sure your pinned apps don’t rearrange all the time because then you have to remember which number corresponds to which app. Check your taskbar pin order if shortcuts become inconsistent. Sometimes, an app might not launch if it’s not properly pinned, so verify that first.
Tips for Switching Between Apps in Windows 11
- Pin your favorites: Keep your most-used apps on the taskbar, because clicking is faster than searching or Alt-tabbing.
- Master keyboard shortcuts: Beyond Alt + Tab, try Windows + D to show the desktop quickly, then bring windows back up with the same shortcut.
- Work with virtual desktops: Press Windows + Ctrl + D to create a fresh desktop, helping split work and play. Reopen even more apps without cluttering your main screen.
- Fine-tune Snap Settings: Head over to Settings > System > Multitasking and customize Snap Assist rules, so it behaves just how you like—especially if you’ve got weird multi-monitor setups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a shortcut to minimize all windows?
Yeah, Windows + D minimizes everything and then restores on the second press. Works like a charm most of the time.
Can I customize what shows up in Task View?
Partly. You can set what windows appear, and tweak system settings in Settings > System > Multitasking. For instance, you can exclude certain apps or manage how desktops behave.
How do I create a new virtual desktop?
Simple—press Windows + Ctrl + D. Bam, new virtual desktop. Want to jump back or switch? Use Windows + Ctrl + Left/Right arrow.
Quickest way to close apps?
Usually Alt + F4 does the trick. But if the window is unresponsive, task manager is your friend — Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find the app, then hit End Task.
Is it possible to disable Alt + Tab altogether?
Kind of. Windows doesn’t let you disable it entirely, but you can limit what appears in its list or change its behavior in Settings > System > Multitasking. On some setups, it’s a trade-off; if it’s causing more chaos than help, just reconfigure or tone down its options.
Summary
- Alt + Tab can act weird, try clicking around or updating graphics drivers.
- Task View offers a visual way to manage windows but can lag if your hardware struggles.
- Clicking the app icon on the taskbar is the most reliable, especially if pinned.
- Snap Assist is great for organizing, but check settings if it’s being wonky.
- Shortcutting with Windows + number is quick, just don’t change your pins too often!
Wrap-up
Getting the hang of switching between apps in Windows 11 isn’t always seamless, especially on older or less optimized machines. Sometimes just restarting explorer or updating drivers clears the hiccups. The key is to combine shortcuts with visual tools like Task View and organize your apps smartly on the taskbar. Practice makes perfect—eventually, these tricks will start feeling second nature, and multitasking will become a whole lot less frustrating. Fingers crossed this helps someone get a bit more control over their workflow — because Windows shouldn’t make it that hard.