If you want to switch between the top level windows that are open in your PC without using the mouse, you would probably use Alt + Tab key combination. This keyboard shortcut has been there in Windows since the era of Windows 3.0. In Windows 10, Microsoft has changed the look and feel of this functionality by showing full sized windows on a transparent gray colored background. If you are still a fan of old Alt Tab dialog then you have landed at the right place. This guide will help you get back the old Alt Tab dialog in your Windows 10 PC.
Old is Gold! Enable Old Alt Tab Dialog In Windows 10
1.Press + R to open Run prompt. Type regedit.exe and hit Enter. Select Yes in the User Account Control window that pops up, to launch Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to the following key on the left pane of Registry Editor:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
3. Right-click on Explorer and select New > DWORD (32-Bit) Value. Name it as AltTabSettings.
4. Now, Double-Click and open AltTabSettings. Set the data value to 1 as shown in the above image and click OK.
5. Close the Registry Editor and sign out off your PC to make the changes effective. Once signed back in, hit the Alt Tab combination and you should be greeted with sweet old Windows XP Styled Task Switcher.
An Extra Tip
If you don’t want to mess up with the Registry but still want to try out the old Alt Tab dialog, then you’re sailing in the right boat. We have exactly what will fulfill your need to set it just temporarily. Follow on to the below steps:
1. Press and hold any one Alt key (right or left) on your keyboard.
2. While holding on to the first Alt key, press the second Alt key followed by pressing the Tab key.
3. Voila! You have the old Windows XP styled Alt Tab dialog.
Hope this helps you get a taste of primeval Alt Tab dialog.
