Easily Switch Between Tasks on Windows 10
Hey there! Switching between tasks on our computers is something we do all the time. Thankfully, Windows 10 has a bunch of cool ways to make this easier. Sometimes, though, things can get a little tricky, especially if you’re using multiple screens or virtual desktops.
But guess what? Windows 10 has even better features than older versions to help with multitasking. If you learn and use these features, you’ll be able to work faster and smoother than ever before.
So, I’m here to show you all these new features. And not only that, I’ll also introduce you to some other awesome tools that can seriously speed up your task-switching game on Windows 10. Let’s get started!
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A Guide to Automatically Handling Repetitive Tasks on Windows 10
Check out these useful tips and tools that can help you automate tasks like deleting old files, emptying the recycle bin, and more. You won’t believe how much time and effort you can save!
Simple Keyboard Shortcuts for Quick Task Switching
Hey there! Today I want to share with you some super handy keyboard shortcuts that will make task switching a breeze. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, these shortcuts are a must-know for everyone.
1. Alt + Tab: The Ultimate Switcher
Get ready for a game-changer! Pressing Alt + Tab conjures up a magic window displaying small pictures of all your open apps. To move through the apps from left to right, just keep the Alt key pressed and tap the Tab key. When you see the app you want, simply release the Alt key to select it. Easy peasy, right? But wait, there’s more! If you change your mind or had a little too much excitement, don’t worry. Just press the Esc key to gracefully exit without choosing any app. And here’s a bonus tip: If you want to quickly toggle between your current app and the last one you used, simply give those keys a quick tap. Voila! Flawless task switching achieved.
2. Switching Tasks in Reverse with Shift + Alt + Tab
When you want to switch tasks in the opposite direction, from right to left, all you have to do is press Shift + Alt + Tab. If you happen to go too far and pass the task you want, simply hold down Shift while still in the switcher, and you will go back.
3. Opening the Task Switcher with Ctrl + Alt + Tab
To open the task switcher and keep it open, use the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Tab. Once the switcher is open, you can navigate through the tasks using the arrow keys, and select a task by pressing Enter.
4. Accessing Task View with Win + Tab
If you want to access the Task View, simply press Win + Tab. In the Task View, you can choose a different task, manage virtual desktops, or explore your timeline activities. To select a task or virtual desktop, either use the mouse to click on it or use the arrow keys, then press Enter.
Advanced Keyboard Shortcuts for Task Switching
Okay, so now that you know the basic shortcuts for switching tasks, let’s step it up a notch and learn some advanced ones for supercharged multitasking.
1. Jumping Between Pinned Apps
If you’ve got your favorite apps pinned to your taskbar, I’ve got a nifty trick for you. Just press the Windows key along with the numbers 1 through 9, and boom! You’ll open or switch to that app faster than you can say “task switching.” If the app is already open, it’ll just pop right to the front.
Here’s an example: Let’s say you’ve pinned File Explorer as your very first app. If you press the Windows key + 1, it’ll open File Explorer if it’s not already open, maximize it if it’s minimized, and minimize it if you press the combo again. Pretty cool, huh?
2. Zipping Between Different Windows of the Same App
The Easy Window Switcher tool is a handy tool that allows you to easily switch between windows of the same app. Instead of using Alt + Tab to navigate through multiple windows of a single app, you can now use Alt + ` (backtick). Just remember to restart your computer after installing the tool to make it work.
Another useful feature introduced by Windows is virtual desktops. This allows you to organize your apps by separating work apps from personal ones. To switch between apps on the same virtual desktop, simply use Alt + Tab. If you want to move an app between virtual desktops without opening Task View, you can use Win + Ctrl + Left to move it to the left desktop, or Win + Ctrl + Right to move it to the right desktop.
With these tips, you can easily switch between apps and windows on your computer, making multitasking a breeze.
Did you know that by default, Alt + Tab won’t let you switch between apps across multiple virtual desktops? It’s true! But don’t worry, you can change this setting. Let me show you how:
- To get started, let’s open the Start menu. From there, go to Settings and select System.
- Next, click on Multitasking which you’ll find on the right-hand side. Under “Virtual desktops”, choose “All desktops” from the dropdown menu next to “Pressing Alt + Tab shows windows that are open on”.
5. How to Switch Between Apps on Different Monitors
If you have more than one monitor, it can be a bit tricky to switch between apps. Thankfully, there are some apps available that can make this process much easier.
6. How to Use Dual Monitor Tools
Hey there! If you’re someone who uses more than one screen, then you’re in luck! I’ve got just the thing for you – Dual Monitor Tools. This nifty tool is designed to make your life easier by allowing you to move apps between screens effortlessly.
Now, let’s get to the good stuff – how to adjust the settings in “Swap Screen”.
- To access the options for Dual Monitor Tools, simply right-click on its icon in the notification area. A menu will appear, and from there, select “Options”.
- Once you’re in the options menu, look for “Swap Screen” on the left side and click on it. Then, choose “Active Window”.
- In order to set a key combination for moving the active window to the next screen, locate the “Move active window to next screen” option and click “Change”. Enable the hotkey by checking the box, and then choose your preferred key combination.
- Repeat the same steps for the “Move active window to previous screen” option.
- When you’ve finished setting up your desired key combinations, click “Close” to save your settings and exit the options menu.
Now, you can effortlessly use your customized key combinations to effortlessly move an active application window to either the next or the previous monitor. Unlike using the shortcut Win + Shift + Left or Right, Dual Monitor Tools ensures that the window retains its original size when it’s being moved.
7. Making use of VistaSwitcher
Hey there! Have you heard about VistaSwitcher? It’s a cool way to switch between all your open apps. When you press Alt + Tab, a list of running tasks with their previews pops up, and you can scroll through them by pressing Tab. Here’s how to tweak its settings:
- To open VistaSwitcher, just press Alt + Tab.
- While holding down Alt, right-click on the screen and choose Preferences.
- Navigate to the Behavior tab. Under “Position,” you can select which monitor you want VistaSwitcher to be displayed on. Once you’re done, click OK.
8. Switching Apps Across All Monitors
Normally, when you press Alt + Tab, you see all the apps on every monitor. But if you only want to see the apps on your current monitor, just press Win + Tab. Pretty neat, huh?
Make Your Task Switcher Unique
Let’s discover some tools that can help you tweak or even replace the standard task switcher for a personalized touch.
1. Winaero Tweaker
Winaero Tweaker is a handy tool that allows you to customize your task switcher and enhance its functionality. With Winaero Tweaker, you can make various changes to your task switcher. Here are a few suggestions:
Bringing Back the Classic Task Switcher
If you prefer the older task switcher style, which shows open windows as icons rather than modern thumbnails, you can easily switch back to it using Winaero Tweaker:
In order to change the appearance of the Alt + Tab feature on your computer, follow these steps:
- First, go to the “Appearance” menu and select “Alt + Tab Appearance.”
- Next, on the right-hand side panel, check the box next to “Enable classic Alt+Tab dialog.” Keep in mind that you will need to log out and log back in to see the changes take effect.
To adjust the background transparency of the task switcher, follow these instructions:
You have the option to make the task switcher background either see-through or solid:
- To change the way Alt + Tab looks, go to the Appearance option and click on “Alt + Tab Appearance”.
- There is a slider labeled “Alt+Tab background transparency”. You can adjust it to make the Alt + Tab window more or less see-through. If you set it to 0, it will be fully transparent, and if you set it to 100, it will be completely solid.
To control how bright or dark your desktop background is, follow these steps:
- Set the brightness level to 100 if you want to darken the background completely.
- Set it to 0 if you prefer to keep the background bright.
- To customize the way Alt + Tab looks, you can start by going to the Appearance menu.
- Once there, select “Alt + Tab Appearance“.
2. Alt-Tab Terminator
If you want to try something different, Alt-Tab Terminator is a fantastic option. It goes beyond what the default task switcher in Windows 10 can do. With Alt-Tab Terminator, you get additional features like window previews and task management. It’s a great choice for those looking to upgrade their switching experience.
Hey there! Want to learn a cool trick? I can show you how to manage your apps using this nifty tool. It’s super easy!
So, with this tool, you have the power to open, close, or end apps. You can even close all your open windows at once! Imagine that!
Let’s talk about some of the cool things you can do with this tool:
Switch Out the Default Alt + Tab
You know that thing you do when you want to switch between open apps? Yeah, the Alt + Tab combination. Well, you can actually replace it with Alt-Tab Terminator! Just click on its fancy bar-icon and select “Replace Alt-Tab”. Voila! You’ve got a whole new way to switch between apps!
Give Win + Tab the Old Heave-Ho
Hey there! Did you know you can give that fancy-pants Task View, which comes alive when you press Win + Tab, the old heave-ho? Yup, it’s as easy as pie with Alt-Tab Terminator. Just click on the bar-icon and select the “Replace Win-Tab” option. Voila!
If you’re a fan of Alt-Tab Terminator but still want to keep the standard task switcher, this option is perfect for you. Just keep in mind that Win + Tab’s Task View has some exclusive features like virtual desktops that Alt-Tab Terminator doesn’t offer.
For an immersive experience, you can maximize the switcher window to full screen. Simply press F11 or click the full-screen button in the bottom-left corner to enjoy a larger view of everything.
Customize Your Keyboard Shortcuts
With Alt-Tab Terminator, you have the power to create your very own keyboard shortcuts for all sorts of tasks. No longer are you limited to the default settings – now you can personalize your shortcuts to match your needs. All you have to do is click on the bar icon, choose Settings, and a new window will appear. Once there, simply navigate to the “Hotkeys” section and define the shortcuts that work best for you.
Let me show you a cool trick! Pressing Alt + ~ on your keyboard will open Alt-Tab Terminator. It’s like having the best of both worlds! You can still use the regular task switcher and Task View, but now you can also enjoy the awesome features of Alt-Tab Terminator.