[Tip] Disable and Remove Microsoft Edge Tabs Showing in ALT+Tab Screen in Windows 10

If you upgraded to newer version of Windows 10 (version 20H2 and later), you might have noticed that ALT+Tab programs list now shows all running tabs in Microsoft Edge web browser separately.

Let’s discuss in details! You have opened more than one tab in Microsoft Edge web browser and you press ALT+Tab keys together to launch the built-in Windows program switcher screen to switch between running programs, you’ll notice that Windows 10 now shows all running tabs in Microsoft Edge browser separately in the running programs list.

Following screenshot shows multiple tabs of Microsoft Edge browser displaying in ALT+Tab switcher screen:

In past, only the main program icon or shortcut thumbnail used to show in ALT+Tab dialog but now Windows 10 shows all tabs running in Microsoft Edge as separate programs. This feature was implemented in Windows 10 build 19042 which was released as Windows 10 version 20H2 recently.

This little change might please users who frequently use Microsoft Edge browser to visit websites but many Windows 10 users might find it annoying and want to get rid of this new feature.

Fortunately, Microsoft has provided an option to disable and remove this feature and force Windows 10 to only show a single instance or entry of Microsoft Edge browser in ALT+Tab list.

If you also want to turn off all Microsoft Edge tabs display in Windows 10 ALT+Tab screen, following steps will help you in preventing Windows 10 from showing all running tabs of Microsoft Edge in ALT+Tab UI:

1. Open Settings app from Start Menu or by pressing WIN+I keys together.

2. Now go to “System -> Multitasking” section.

PS: Alternatively, You can directly launch this page using “ms-settings:multitasking” command in RUN dialog box as mentioned here.

3. In right-side pane, look for “Alt + Tab” section. Remember this section will only appear in newer versions of Windows 10. If you are using an older version of Windows 10, “Alt + Tab” section will not appear.

Click on the drop-down box given under “Pressing Alt + Tab shows” option.

Now select “Open windows only” option to disable and remove Microsoft Edge tabs display in ALT+Tab screen.

That’s it. Now press ALT+Tab hotkey and Windows 10 will no longer display all running tabs of Microsoft Edge in ALT+Tab screen. Only a single icon of Microsoft Edge will appear on ALT+Tab list.

PS: If you want to customize how many tabs of Microsoft Edge should Windows 10 display in ALT+Tab screen, you can select desired option from drop-down box. You can select 3 recent tabs or 5 recent tabs to display or you can select to display all running tabs of Microsoft Edge browser in ALT+Tab screen.

Also Check:

[Tip] Get Windows XP Style Classic “Alt+Tab” Switcher Screen in Windows Vista and Later

[Windows 10 Tip] Registry Tweaks to Customize UI of Alt+Tab, Task View and Snap Assistant Screens