Edge is generally a pretty solid upgrade over Internet Explorer, but honestly, it still has a few quirks — like making your Alt + Tab menu a clutter-fest when you’ve got lots of tabs open. If you’re tired of seeing every single Edge tab pop up when you hit Alt + Tab, there are a couple of ways to fix it. The good news? It’s usually straightforward, though sometimes Windows likes to throw a little curveball. So, here are two tried-and-true methods that might just clear that up.
How to Remove Edge Tabs From Alt + Tab in Two Different Ways
Having dozens of tabs open all over the place can turn your Alt + Tab into an overwhelming slideshow of every window and tab. If you find it distracting or just want a cleaner switcher, these fixes should help. The first method tweaks Windows’ multitasking settings, and the second dives into the Registry for a more bulletproof fix. Pick what feels more comfortable, or try both if you’re feeling brave.
Method 1: Disable Multitasking to Limit What Shows in Alt + Tab
This is usually the easiest route. Windows has a multitasking feature that pulls in all kinds of tabs into the Alt + Tab list, especially if you’re using Snap Assist or multiple windows. Turning that off should remove those extra Edge tabs from showing up. It makes switching between apps a little less chaotic, but beware — sometimes Windows decides to be inconsistent about it. On some setups, toggling this setting works immediately; on others, a reboot might be necessary.
Here’s how to do it on Windows 10 and 11:
- Open Settings (press Win + I) and go to System.
- Scroll down and select Multitasking. It’s usually pretty close to the top or middle of the menu.
- Look for the section Alt + Tab. There’s a dropdown menu there.
- Set it to Open windows only. This cuts down what shows up in the switcher, so your tabs won’t spill over.
In Windows 11, the path is pretty similar, but the interface is a tad cleaner:
- Open Settings with Win + I, then select System.
- Click on Multitasking on the right pane.
- Next to Show tabs from apps when snapping or pressing Alt + Tab, select the dropdown and pick Don’t show tabs.
This basically makes sure your Alt + Tab only shows actual application windows, not every tab inside Edge or Chrome. On some machines, this change might need a reboot to take effect, but it’s simple enough.
Method 2: Disable Edge Tabs from Showing in Alt + Tab via Registry Hack
Benching the Registry isn’t the most user-friendly move, but it’s pretty effective if you want a more permanent solution. You’re basically telling Windows explicitly not to include Edge tabs in the Alt + Tab list. Just beware — messing around in the Registry can be risky, so make sure to follow what I say exactly.
Here’s the drill:
- Hit Win + R and type
regedit. Instead of just clicking OK, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run as administrator. Windows might pop up a UAC prompt; give it permission. - Navigate through the Registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced. You can just paste this path into the Registry editor’s address bar for quicker access.
- Find or create a DWORD value named MultiTaskingAltTabFilter in that folder. If it’s not there, right-click in the blank space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it MultiTaskingAltTabFilter.
- Double-click on MultiTaskingAltTabFilter. Set the Value Data to one of the numbers below, depending on how many tabs you want to hide:
- 0 — Show up to 20 tabs
- 1 — Show 5 tabs
- 2 — Show 3 tabs
- 3 — Show none (that’s what most people want if they hate Edge tabs)
- Click OK, then close the Registry Editor. Restart your PC to apply the changes. After reboot, your Alt + Tab should now be free of Edge tabs, depending on the number you set.
This method might feel a little more intense, but it’s often more reliable. The settings stick around until you change them again, so it’s great for a more permanent fix. Just don’t go changing random registry keys unless you’re sure what you’re doing — Windows loves to make that tricky when you’re not careful.