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ALT TAB not Working: Diagnose & Fix in 7 Easy Steps

If this shortcut isn’t working, the problem is usually your settings

4 min. read

Updated onFebruary 23, 2024

updated onFebruary 23, 2024

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Key notes

Many users reported that Alt Tab is not working, and that can prevent users from switching between apps quickly. However, there are few ways that can fix this issue.

Why is Alt Tab not working?

Problems with Windows Explorer or your settings can cause this issue. In some cases, your keyboard or other peripherals can lead to this problem.

How do I fix Alt-Tab if it’s not working in Windows 10?

Before trying the slightly complex solutions, restart your PC and ensure that your keyboard is properly connected. Disconnect other peripherals and try if other shortcuts are working.

1. Restart Windows Explorer

2. Fix the problem by modifying Registry Values

PressWindows+Rto openRun, typeregeditin the input field, and pressEnteror clickOK.
Paste the following path in the address bar and hitEnter:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
In the right pane, look for AltTabSettings DWORD.
If thisDWORDisn’t available, you need to create it. Right-click on the right pane, hover the cursor over New, select DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name itAltTabSettings.
Double-click theAltTabSettingsDWORD and change itsValue Datato1. After doing that, click onOKto save the changes.

Several users reported that they already had this value in their registry, and they fixed the problem simply by deleting theAltTabSettingsDWORD.

To delete, right-click it and chooseDeletefrom the menu. When the confirmation prompt appears, click onYesto proceed.

3. Make sure you have enabled the App Switching feature

4. Use an alternative software solution

Another option is to use adedicated clipboard managertool. These can remove the function of the Alt-Tab shortcut.

Such software such as allows you to create a clipboard history by saving, organizing, and accessing files, folders, or text from the same place.

You can use it to save texts, links, files, or images into a dedicated space that you can customize and access with just one click.

You can save an unlimited number of fragments in the clipboard history. Moreover, you can customize your favorite clipboard fragmentsand set sound alarms for specificprocesses.

Comfort Clipboardis such a software that additionally creates a safety net in case of crashes for all already copied items. It’s compatible with all clipboard formats so you can use it with any other software.

Comfort Clipboard

5. Make sure that the Peek option is enabled

6. Disable/enable the hotkeys

If that doesn’t work, repeat the same steps, but this time selectDisabled. Now check if your hotkeys work. Again, if nothing works, selectNot Configuredand save changes.

If you can’t access Group Policy or want to make these changes quickly, you can perform them using a registry file.

To do that, you need to download the registry files fordisabling the Windows hotkeysand also forenabling the Windows hotkeysback.(You would need to sign up to download the registry files)

After downloading the registry files, double-click the registry file to run it. When the confirmation dialog appears, click onYes.

7. Reset Windows

If none of the methods work, performing afactory reset for Windows 10might do the trick, though it should rarely come to that.

You will lose app installed apps and configured settings after the reset, and even personal files when doing a complete reset. So, make sure toback up your files.

Running outdated versions of the keyboard and/or graphics driver can have unwanted effects. It’s time you take care of this, and using the driver updater makes the whole process quick and effortless.

That was all! Now you know how to quickly fix the Alt-Tab not working issue in Windows 10. If you’re on the latest version, we have a guide on what to do ifAlt Tab is not working on Windows 11, so don’t miss it.

You can alsodisable Alt Tab on Windows 11if you don’t want to use it. Do keep in mind that problems with this feature can occur, and we have a guide on how to fixslow Alt-Tab, so don’t miss it.

If nothing else works, you can always useAlt Tab alternatives, until you manage to fix the issue.

Also, before you leave, learn some quick ways toboost Windows performance.

Which method worked for you? Feel free to share with us in the comments section below.

ALT TAB not Working: Diagnose & Fix in 7 Easy Steps#

How do I fix Alt-Tab if it’s not working in Windows 10?#

1. Restart Windows Explorer#

2. Fix the problem by modifying Registry Values#

3. Make sure you have enabled the App Switching feature#

4. Use an alternative software solution#

Comfort Clipboard#

5. Make sure that the Peek option is enabled#

6. Disable/enable the hotkeys#

7. Reset Windows#