To switch between screens on Windows, press Alt + Tab to jump between open apps. Hold Alt and keep tapping Tab to pick a window, then let go. To switch between virtual desktops, press Windows key + Ctrl + Left or Right arrow. To move a window to another monitor, press Windows key + Shift + Left or Right arrow. And to see everything at once, press Windows key + Tab to open Task View.
“Switching screens” can mean switching apps, desktops, or monitors. Here’s how to do each in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Shortcuts for switching screens
| What you want | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Switch to the last app you used | Alt + Tab (tap once) |
| Pick from all open apps | Hold Alt, tap Tab repeatedly |
| See all windows and desktops | Windows key + Tab |
| Switch virtual desktops | Windows key + Ctrl + Left/Right |
| Create a new desktop | Windows key + Ctrl + D |
| Move a window to another monitor | Windows key + Shift + Left/Right |
| Change display mode (duplicate, extend) | Windows key + P |
| Show the desktop | Windows key + D |
Switch between open apps with Alt + Tab
- Press and hold Alt.
- Tap Tab to move through your open windows. Press Shift + Tab to go backward.
- Let go of Alt when the window you want is selected.
You can also click an app’s icon on the taskbar, or hover over it to pick a specific window.
Use Task View
Press Windows key + Tab, or click the Task View button on the taskbar. You see every open window as a thumbnail, plus your virtual desktops at the bottom. Click one to switch to it.
Switch between virtual desktops
Virtual desktops let you keep separate sets of apps, like one for work and one for personal use.
- Create one: Press Windows key + Ctrl + D, or open Task View and click New desktop.
- Switch: Press Windows key + Ctrl + Left or Right arrow.
- Close the current desktop: Press Windows key + Ctrl + F4. Its windows move to the next desktop.
For more, see how to switch between desktops in Windows 11.
Switch between monitors
- Move a window: Click it and press Windows key + Shift + Left or Right arrow.
- Move the mouse: Push the pointer off the edge of one screen onto the other. If it goes the wrong way, rearrange your displays in Settings > System > Display.
- Change what each screen shows: Press Windows key + P and choose Duplicate, Extend, or Second screen only.
On Windows 10, see how to toggle between screens.
Related: Switch between windows on Windows.
Frequently asked questions
How do I switch between tabs instead of windows?
In most browsers, press Ctrl + Tab to go to the next tab and Ctrl + Shift + Tab to go back.
Can I stop browser tabs from showing in Alt + Tab?
Yes, in Windows 11. Go to Settings > System > Multitasking and change Show tabs from apps when snapping or pressing Alt+Tab to Don’t show tabs.
How do I put two apps side by side?
Press Windows key + Left or Right arrow to snap a window to half the screen. See how to split screen on Windows.
Do these shortcuts work on Windows 10?
Yes. All of them work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.