Switching between open applications using Alt+Tab in Windows 11 often displays every open Microsoft Edge tab alongside your other windows, cluttering the task switcher and making navigation less efficient. This behavior is controlled by a Windows setting, not by Edge itself, and can be changed to show only the main browser window for a cleaner, faster app-switching experience.

Disable Edge Tabs in Alt+Tab Using Windows Settings

Step 1: Open the Windows Settings app by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard. This shortcut quickly brings up the main Settings window.

Step 2: In the Settings window, select System from the menu on the left. Then scroll down and click on Multitasking in the main pane. The Multitasking section controls how Windows handles window snapping, virtual desktops, and the Alt+Tab task switcher.

Step 3: Find the section labeled Shows tabs from Apps when snapping or pressing Alt + Tab. Here, you'll see a dropdown menu next to the option.

Step 4: Click the dropdown menu and select Don’t show tabs or Open windows only. This setting prevents Edge tabs from appearing as separate items in Alt+Tab, so only the main browser window is shown. This change streamlines task switching and reduces visual clutter.

Step 5: Close the Settings window. Press Alt+Tab to confirm the change—only open windows, not individual Edge tabs, should now appear.

Disable Edge Tabs in Alt+Tab Using the Registry Editor

For users who prefer a more direct or scriptable approach, or if the Settings option is missing or unavailable, you can change the same behavior using the Windows Registry Editor. This method is more advanced and should be used with caution, as incorrect changes to the registry can cause system issues.

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes to allow Registry Editor to make changes.

Step 2: In Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

This key contains advanced user settings for Windows Explorer and related features.

Step 3: In the right pane, look for a DWORD value named MultiTaskingAltTabFilter. If it does not exist, right-click in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it MultiTaskingAltTabFilter.

Step 4: Double-click MultiTaskingAltTabFilter and set its value data to 3 to prevent Edge tabs from being shown in Alt+Tab. The possible values are:

  • 0: Show 20 most recent Edge tabs.
  • 1: Show 5 most recent Edge tabs.
  • 2: Show 3 most recent Edge tabs.
  • 3: Don’t show Edge tabs.

Step 5: Click OK to save the change. Close Registry Editor. To apply the new setting, log off and back on, or restart your computer. When you use Alt+Tab now, only open windows will appear, not individual Edge tabs.

Troubleshooting and Notes

If you do not see the Multitasking or Alt+Tab options in your Windows Settings, ensure your system is up to date. Some versions of Windows 11 may relocate or rename this setting, but it typically remains under System > Multitasking. If the option is missing, the registry method above can be used as an alternative.

These changes do not affect other browsers—only Microsoft Edge integrates its tabs with the Windows Alt+Tab switcher by default. Adjusting this setting will optimize your workflow by reducing the number of items shown, making app switching more straightforward and less distracting.

With this adjustment, switching between tasks in Windows 11 becomes simpler and less cluttered, letting you focus on the windows that matter most.