How to Switch Between Open Apps in Windows 10


Windows 10 introduces a new feature called Task view. Task view is a virtual desktop manager that allows you to quickly switch between all of your open apps on multiple desktops. Create custom additional desktops to group apps for productivity, entertainment, or whatever you choose. This makes multitasking and organizing your opened apps much easier.

Starting with Windows 10 build 20161, all tabs open in Microsoft Edge will start appearing in Alt + TAB, not just the active one in each browser window. If you would prefer fewer tabs or the classic Alt + TAB experience, Microsoft has added some settings for you under Settings > System > Multitasking. You can configure Alt + Tab to only show your last three or five tabs or choose "Open windows only" to turn this feature off completely.

This tutorial will show you different ways on how to switch between open apps in Windows 10.


Contents

  • Option One: How to Switch Between Open Apps in Task View
  • Option Two: How to Switch Between Open Apps using Taskbar
  • Option Three: How to Switch Between Open Apps when pressing Alt+Tab
  • Option Four: How to Switch Between Open Apps when pressing Ctrl+Alt+Tab
  • Option Five: How to Switch Between Open Apps in Task Manager
  • Option Six: How to Switch Between Open Apps using Precision Touchpad






OPTION ONE

How to Switch Between Open Apps in Task View


The method to switch between open apps in Task View replaced "Windows Flip 3D" from Windows 7, and "Switcher" in Windows 8.


1 Do step 2, step 3, or step 4 below for how you would like to open Task View.

2 Click/tap on the Task View icon on the taskbar, and go to step 5 below.

3 Press the Win + Tab keys, and go to step 5 below.

4 On a touchscreen, swipe inwards from the left border of the screen, and go to step 5 below.

5 If you have any added desktops, then select the desktop that has the open app you want to switch to, and click/tap on the open app. (see screenshots below)

(single display with two desktops)
Switch Between Open Apps in Windows 10-task_view.jpg

(multiple displays with no added desktops)
Switch Between Open Apps in Windows 10-task_view_multi_display.jpg






OPTION TWO

How to Switch Between Open Apps using Taskbar


It will depend on if you set to show open apps on all desktops or only the desktop your using for what open apps will show on the taskbar.


1 Hover the mouse pointer over a taskbar icon of an open app to see if you have more than one tab or instance of the app open. (see screenshots below step 3 and step 4)

Icons on the taskbar with a bar under them indicate that they are an open app with an open window.

The color of the bar under the taskbar icon will be the same as the color you chose in Personlization Colors.


2 Do step 3 or step 4 below depending on how many tabs (ex: Internet Explorer) or instances of the app you have open.

3 If you only have one window open for the app, then you can click/tap on the icon on the taskbar or click/tap on the taskbar thumbnail preview. (see screenshot below)

Switch Between Open Apps in Windows 10-taskbar-2.jpg

4 If you have more than one window open for the app, then you can click/tap on the taskbar thumbnail preview of the window you want to switch to. (see screenshot below)

Switch Between Open Apps in Windows 10-taskbar-1.jpg






OPTION THREE

How to Switch Between Open Apps when pressing Alt+Tab


It will depend on if you set to show open apps on all desktops or only the desktop your using for what open apps will show when pressing Alt+Tab (aka: "Windows Flip").


1 Do step 2 (thumbnails) or step 3 (classic icons) below for what version of Switch Between Windows you would like to use.


2 To Use Switch Between Windows with thumbnails

A) Press and hold the Alt key.

B) Tap the Tab key until the open app you want to switch to is selected (highlighted with a white border around it).

C) Release the Alt key to switch to the selected app.

Switch Between Open Apps in Windows 10-alt-tab.jpg


3 To Use Switch Between Windows with classic icons

A) Press and hold the Right Alt key.

B) Press the Left Alt + Tab keys and release.

B) Tap the Tab key until the open app you want to switch to is selected (highlighted with a blue border around it).

C) Release the Right Alt key to switch to the selected app.

Switch Between Open Apps in Windows 10-alt-tab_classic_icons.jpg






OPTION FOUR

How to Switch Between Open Apps when pressing Ctrl+Alt+Tab


It will depend on if you set to show open apps on all desktops or only the desktop your using for what open apps will show when pressing Ctrl+Alt+Tab (aka: "Windows Flip").


1 Press the Ctrl + Alt + Tab keys.

2 Do step 3 or step 4 below for how you would like to switch to an open app.

3 Click/tap on the open app you want to switch to.

4 Tap the Tab key or arrow keys until the open app you want to switch to is selected (highlighted with a white border around it), and press Enter.

Switch Between Open Apps in Windows 10-alt-tab.jpg






OPTION FIVE

How to Switch Between Open Apps in Task Manager


1 Open Task Manager in more details view.

2 Click/tap on the Processes tab. (see screenshot below)

3 Under the Apps section, expand open the app (ex: Windows Explorer) that has an open window you want to switch to.

4 Right click or press and hold on the open window (ex: This PC) you want to switch to, and click/tap on Switch to.

Switch Between Open Apps in Windows 10-task_manager_switch_to.png






OPTION SIX

How to Switch Between Open Apps using Precision Touchpad


Starting with Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14328, you can switch quickly between desktops using touchpads.

You will need a precision touchpad that supports four or more fingers, such as the precision touchpads found on Surface Book or Surface Pro 4 Type Cover.


1 Swipe four fingers left or right on your touchpad to scroll between added desktops.

You can also switch desktops with a quick-flick.

If you want to refer to two adjacent desktops, you can keep your fingers down and drag back and forth.



That's it,
Shawn