The Evolution of Window Switching Capabilities
Before modern graphical operating systems, early command-line systems in the 1960s and 1970s did not support switching between multiple applications. The concept of "windows" and graphical interfaces was pioneered in the 1970s at Xerox PARC with the Alto computer. This laid the groundwork for being able to work in multiple applications and switch between them.
Major commercial operating systems like early versions of Mac OS and Microsoft Windows in the 1980s and 1990s brought windowing environments to mainstream personal computing. Over time, keyboard shortcuts were developed to allow users to quickly switch between open application windows.
For example, Apple introduced the Command+Tab keyboard shortcut in Mac OS 8 in 1997 to cycle through open applications. Microsoft made the Alt+Tab keyboard shortcut ubiquitous in Windows, allowing seamless switching between Windows since Windows 3.0 first introduced the concept of multitasking abilities.
So the ability to fluidly switch between windows evolved rapidly in the 1990s as computing power increased enough to enable true multitasking graphical operating systems. The shortcuts we still use today were standardized during that decade.
What Does "Switching Windows" Mean?
When we talk about switching windows on a computer, we simply mean bringing an already-running application window to the forefront of the desktop rather than opening up a new instance of that application. The application is already open and running in the background, but switching windows makes it visible and accessible to work in.
This saves the effort of constantly opening and closing programs every time you need to access them. You can quickly switch between several windows with just a couple of keystrokes.
Shortcut for Switching Between Windows on Windows
The most ubiquitous keyboard shortcut for switching windows on a Windows PC is:
Alt + Tab
To switch windows, simply hold down the Alt key and then tap the Tab key to cycle between all open windows. Continue tapping Tab while holding Alt to cycle through all open applications on the desktop or taskbar. Release the keys once you have brought the window you want into the foreground.
This shortcut will cycle between every open application window on the desktop and taskbar in order of most recently used.
Viewing All Open Windows
To see a visual spread of all your open windows at once rather than cycling through them, use this shortcut:
Windows Key + Tab
Hold down the Windows key (it‘s the key with the Windows logo between CTRL and Alt) and then tap the Tab key. This will display thumbnail previews of every open window on the desktop.
Still holding Windows, use your arrow keys to navigate between window previews. Let go of the Windows key to select the window you want to switch to.
Switching Between Browser Tabs
You can quickly switch between open browser tabs using:
Ctrl + Tab
This allows you to cycle through tabs within the active browser window.
Combine it with Ctrl + Shift + Tab to move through tabs in reverse order.
Shortcuts for Switching Windows on Mac
MacOS offers similar shortcuts for swift window switching:
Command + Tab
The Command key has the same function as the Windows key on a PC. To switch windows, hold Command and tap Tab to cycle through every open application window.
Viewing All Open Mac Windows
To see all open windows on the desktop, use:
Command + Down Arrow
Tapping the down arrow key while holding Command will layout thumbnails of all open app windows.
You can then continue holding Command and use the arrow keys to browse the open windows. Let go of Command once you have highlighted the window you want to bring to the foreground.
Switching Between Browser Tabs on Mac
The shortcut for switching browser tabs on Mac is:
Command + Option + Left/Right Arrow
Hold down Command + Option and tap the left or right arrow key to cycle through open tabs in Safari or other browsers.
Why Keyboard Shortcuts are Useful for Productivity
Keyboard shortcuts for switching windows and browser tabs are immensely useful for productivity. They prevent you from wasting time maneuvering back and forth with the mouse.
Having to click through multiple open windows to find what you need breaks your concentration and workflow. But with a couple of key taps, you can retrieve the exact window you need in under a second.
This helps you maintain focus and continue working or researching without interruption. Streamlining window switching ultimately allows you to get more done in less time.
Tips for Power Users
If you really want to take window switching to advanced levels, try memorizing and utilizing some of these additional keyboard tricks:
- F6 – Cycle through screen elements (taskbar, desktop, etc.) in Windows.
- Alt + Escape – Switch between only two Windows in reverse order.
- Ctrl + F4 or Command + W – Close the active window.
- Ctrl + F6 or Command + Tilde (~) – Switch between browser tabs.
- Ctrl + Shift + T or Command + Shift + T – Reopen recently closed tab.
- Ctrl + N or Command + N – Open new window.
- Ctrl + Shift + N or Command + Shift + N – Open an Incognito/Private window.
Mastering many different combinations gives you ultimate flexibility over all your open windows and tabs.
Troubleshooting Issues with Shortcuts
Some users run into situations where their keyboard shortcuts for window switching stop functioning correctly. Typically this indicates an issue with the system keyboard drivers.
Try these troubleshooting steps:
- Go into Windows Settings > Devices > Keyboard and run the Keyboard troubleshooter.
- Update, reinstall, or roll back keyboard drivers if inconsistencies are found.
- Test shortcut keys in a different application.
- Ensure keyboard connectivity or replace batteries if using wireless keyboard.
- Restart computer.
In most cases, a simple restart or keyboard driver update will resolve any temporary issues with switch window shortcuts.
Work Smarter With Quick Window Switching
Keyboard shortcuts remain one of the most effective ways to save time when using a computer. Mastering the various key combinations for swiftly shifting between open application windows and browser tabs will boost your speed and concentration.
Window switching capabilities have certainly come a long way from early operating systems. But whether you‘re using Windows, MacOS, or another desktop OS, these universal shortcuts continue providing huge productivity benefits.
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