How to customize Alt + Tab for Microsoft Edge open tabs on Windows 10 October 2020 Update

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Microsoft Edge now shows open tabs in Alt + Tab shortcut, and you can customize or disable the feature – here's how to complete these tasks on the Windows 10 October 2020 Update.

Microsoft Edge in Alt + Tab shortcut
Microsoft Edge in Alt + Tab shortcut (Image credit: Windows Central)

The Windows 10 October 2020 Update (version 20H2) is now available for compatible devices. With it, users are getting a new set of features and improvements, including deeper integration with the Chromium version of Microsoft Edge. (Check out our full Windows 10 October 2020 Update review for details on this release.)

Starting with the tenth feature update (after the original release), the new version of Edge comes built into Windows 10. When hovering over a site pinned to the taskbar will show you all the open tabs for that website across any window of the browser, and open tabs will now also appear in the Alt + Tab (app switcher) experience.

When using the Alt + Tab experience with version 20H2, you'll see all the open tabs, but there's a new option in the Settings app that allows you to set the number of tabs you want to see, and you can even disable the feature entirely.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to decide the number of open tabs that Microsoft Edge shows in the Alt + Tab experience with the settings available starting with the October 2020 Update.

How to change Alt + Tab settings for Microsoft Edge

To adjust the number of open tabs in the app switcher view, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Click on Multitasking.
  4. Under the "Alt + Tab" section, use the drop-down menu and select the best option for you:
    • Open windows and all tabs in Edge.
    • Open windows and 5 most recent tabs in Edge.
    • Open windows and 3 most recent tabs in Edge.
    • Open windows only.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

Once you complete the steps, you'll find only the number of open tabs that you configured in the settings page when using the Alt + Tab shortcut.

How to disable Alt + Tab experience for Microsoft Edge

To prevent Microsoft Edge from showing open tabs in the Alt + Tab experience, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Click on Multitasking.
  4. Under the "Alt + Tab" section, use the drop-down menu and select the Open windows only option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

After you complete the steps, Microsoft Edge will no longer show open tabs in the Alt + Tab experience.

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.