Switching between apps in Windows 11 is pretty straightforward, but sometimes it can get kinda frustrating if shortcuts or features don’t work as expected. Maybe a quick Alt + Tab stops responding, or Task View doesn’t show all your windows properly. Or perhaps you want to streamline your workflow with more than just clicking icons — like using keyboard shortcuts or snapping windows effortlessly. It’s about making multitasking less of a chore and more of a smooth experience. This guide covers a few practical ways to switch apps efficiently, including some tips and tricks I’ve personally found useful. By the end, you’ll probably find a couple of methods that click for your style of working and help save some time.
How to Switch Between Apps in Windows 11
Honestly, Windows 11 offers multiple ways to jump between apps without pulling your hair out. Whether you’re into faster shortcuts, visual overviews, or just clicking around, there’s a method that’ll work for you — and hopefully, it’s not overly complicated.
Use Alt + Tab — The Classic Shortcut
This one’s probably the easiest. Hold down the Alt key, then tap Tab. It pulls up a quick switching interface with all your open apps. Keep holding Alt, tap Tab again to cycle through, and release when your app’s highlighted. It’s kinda weird, but it gives you a visual preview of everything open, so you’re less likely to open the wrong window. On some setups, this can freeze or lag for a second, especially if you’ve got tons of apps running — Windows has to think for a bit. A handy trick I found on one machine is to just tap Alt + Tab repeatedly, then switch to the app you want. Not sure why it works, but sometimes it’s faster than hunting through the taskbar.
Use the Task View Button or Shortcut
If you’re more into a visual approach, hit Windows + Tab — it opens the full Task View. This view shows all your open windows, virtual desktops, and recent activities. If things get messy with a lot of windows, it helps you quickly find what you need without scrolling through a cluttered taskbar. Honestly, I use this a lot when I’ve got multiple desktops set up. To get there, just click the Task View icon on the taskbar (looks like a rectangle with a tiny line to the right), or press that Windows + Tab combo. On some machines, the taskbar icon doesn’t show up because it’s disabled in settings — so you might need to enable it in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar Items > Show Service and Show Windows Tab.
Clicking the Taskbar Icons
Old school, but it works. Just click the app icon pinned to the taskbar, and it’ll jump to the front. If the app isn’t pinned, find it in the Start menu or desktop, and pin it for quick access later. Sometimes apps get hidden or minimize completely, so clicking their icon becomes the fastest solution when shortcuts fail. Yes, Windows makes it so simple that it’s almost too obvious — but hey, it’s reliable when everything else blows up.
Snapping Windows with Snap Assist
Dragging a window to the edge of your screen quickly activates Snap Assist—a semi-automatic way to organize your open apps side-by-side. You just snap one window to the left or right, then pick another from the options that appear. Useful if you want to compare two documents or keep an eye on a chat while working. If Snap Assist isn’t working, check Settings > System > Multitasking to make sure it’s enabled. Sometimes, turning it off and on again helps fix weird glitches.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Speed
If you’re all about jumping instantly, mastering some quick shortcuts helps a lot.Windows + [number] opens or switches to the app pinned on your taskbar in that position. For example, Windows + 1 opens the first app pinned, Windows + 2 the second, and so on. Pretty handy once you memorize your most-used apps’ positions. One snag — if you rearrange your taskbar or unpin stuff, this shortcut might get wonky or open the wrong app, so double-check your setup. Also, Alt + F4 closes the currently active window but can be clunky if you’re trying to keep everything open.
Sometimes when these methods don’t cooperate, a quick reboot or resetting Windows explorer can clear hiccups. When all else fails, digging into Settings > System > Multitasking can reveal toggles or options blocking your favorite shortcuts or features. Weirdly enough, on some machines, toggling Snap Assist off then back on resolves sudden unresponsiveness. Windows just loves to make small things complicated — so, don’t be surprised if you have to jump through a few hoops.