Windows 11 tests Windowed Alt+Tab experience, how to enable

Windows 10 or earlier Windows versions come with a Windowed Alt+Tab interface to switch between windows. With Windows 11, everything is redesigned, right from the Start Menu to the taskbar and including Alt+Tab switcher as well. The company has gone to full screen over windowed. Seems Microsoft is backpedaling on that after users’ feedback, the company is currently testing the windowed interface with beautiful acrylic for Alt+Tab again in insider build 22526. Here is how you can enable and disable it.

Windows 11 build 22526, what’s new

Microsoft has recently released the first insider build for Windows 11 users running the dev channel in 2022. Build 22526 comes with the following important changes:

• Added support for wideband speech when using Apple AirPods products.
• Enables credential guard by default for enterprises.
• Experiments indexing more file locations to search files in File explorer faster.
• Last, but not least, except for bug fixes, Windows 11 shows ALT+TAB as windowed instead of fullscreen for some.

The feature or change is currently avialable to some insiders only, if you want to see it also, you can now.

Note: The below instructions require running a third-party tool, follow the steps at your own risk.

Enable Windowed Alt+Tab interface in Windows 11

1. Download Vivetool zip file
2. Extract its files to a folder on the desktop
3. Open Command Prompt as administrator
4. Right-click folder and select copy as path, give the path in the command window and run below command
   vivetool addconfig 36226836 2


Now, if you hold the Alt button and press Tab, you’ll immediately see a new windowed window with various windows open in Windows 11 to view and make a switch.

Disable Alt+Tab windowed and restore full-screen experience in Windows 11

1. Open command prompt as administrator
2. Input Vivetool path and type or paste the following command and press enter
   vivetool delconfig 36226836 2


We’ve been able to successfully switch between Windowed and full-screen Alt+Tab interface on build 22526 by running above Vivetool commands in the command prompt window.

Seems most users expressed more happiness over the change.

Users running Windows 7 or later when upgrading to Windows 11 get familiar and feel at home when they see old Alt+Tab.

When compared with windowed, the whole screen UI wastes more space, and the desktop and taskbar won’t be visible.

Let us hope Microsoft brings the same experience in the stable build after broader testing and feedback.

Now, you say, which Alt+Tab window do you like? Windowed or full screen?

More on Windows 11:

Windows 11/10 allows to Pin any window always on Top w/ PowerToys

How to change new Media Player Accent Color in Windows 11

How to copy a file path in Windows 11 and use its Shortcut

How to set Spotlight as desktop wallpaper in Windows 11