To change tabs on Windows, press Ctrl + Tab to go to the next tab and Ctrl + Shift + Tab to go back. In most browsers, Ctrl + 1 to Ctrl + 8 jump to a specific tab and Ctrl + 9 goes to the last one. To switch between whole windows or apps rather than tabs, use Alt + Tab.
Quick Answer
Ctrl + Tab (next), Ctrl + Shift + Tab (previous), Ctrl + number (jump). Alt + Tab switches windows.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Tabs
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Tab | Next tab |
| Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Previous tab |
| Ctrl + Page Down / Page Up | Next / previous tab |
| Ctrl + 1 to 8 | Jump to that tab |
| Ctrl + 9 | Last tab |
| Ctrl + T | New tab |
| Ctrl + W | Close tab |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Reopen closed tab |
Switch Tabs With the Mouse or Touchpad
- Click the tab at the top of the window.
- Scroll the mouse wheel over the tab strip (works in some browsers).
- Drag a tab out of the window to open it in its own window.
Tabs in Other Places
- File Explorer (Windows 11): Ctrl + Tab and Ctrl + T work like a browser.
- Dialog boxes: Ctrl + Tab moves between tabs such as in Properties windows.
- Windows and apps: Alt + Tab cycles through open windows; Windows + Tab shows Task View.
Troubleshooting
- Ctrl + Tab doesn’t work: The page or an extension may capture keys. Click the tab strip or address bar first.
- Too many tabs: Use tab groups or vertical tabs in your browser. See splitting tabs on Windows.
- Working across windows: See seeing all open windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I go back to the last tab I used?
Some browsers support this through settings or extensions; Ctrl + Shift + Tab goes to the tab on the left instead.
Do these shortcuts work in Excel?
Excel uses Ctrl + Page Down and Ctrl + Page Up to change worksheets.
Can I change tabs on a laptop without Page Up keys?
Use Ctrl + Tab, or Fn with the arrow keys if your laptop maps Page Up there.
Summary
- Ctrl + Tab and Ctrl + Shift + Tab move between tabs.
- Ctrl + number jumps to a tab.
- Alt + Tab switches windows.
- Ctrl + Shift + T reopens a closed tab.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He started on a university help desk, spent years as the IT person for small businesses, and has been writing tech guides full time since 2020. Each guide is checked on a device he owns, and re-checked when a menu moves. More about Kermit.