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You are here: Home / Hardware / What To Do If Windows 10 Keeps Alt Tabbing Randomly?

What To Do If Windows 10 Keeps Alt Tabbing Randomly?

Updated: January 7, 2022 by Sanchita Das

Some users have encountered this annoying issue when their computer alt tabs on its own randomly and this happens usually when they are gaming and return to the desktop or accomplishing some important work.

The pop-up window tends to overlay what you have opened for a few seconds and then gets closed automatically before you proceed to check what it exactly is!

Sometimes this may cause the lightning of your hardware going out for a bit and then turning on back again.

We have shown a VIDEO walk through at the end of the post for easy solution.

What Triggers Computer Alt Tabs On Its Own Issue?

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • What Triggers Computer Alt Tabs On Its Own Issue?
    • Solution 1: Check Your Keyboard
    • Solution 2: Perform A Registry Tweak
    • Solution 3: Update The Display Drivers And Your Keyboard
    • Solution 4:  Disable Task in Task Scheduler
    • Solution 5: Take Help Of The Window Mode To Run The Game
    • Solution 6:  Update Your Windows
    • Solution 7:  Disable Startup and Service programs
    • Solution 8: Enable Peek From The Control Panel
    • Solution 9:  Perform A Virus Scan
    • Wrapping Up

Some applications that you have installed may override on the existing Alt-Tab shortcut or the Windows Explorer may have encountered some error, and this may create problems with the functionality of your system.

Sometimes when you do some registry changes there may be some conflicts with the existing applications which may in turn result in computer alt tabs on its own.

Often the alt-tabbing may be generated by your peripherals like mouse, keyboard, or your headset, etc. Always remember to check whether your driver is outdated or having any other issue as this may also trigger many related problems.

To address this unusual behavior, through this article we will try to explore some solutions:

Solution 1: Check Your Keyboard

First of all, we recommend you to check your keyboard whether any damage is caused to it or whether it is working properly, and the keys are not broken anyway!

Check the Alt-tab keys with a tester to automatically detect the problem. For this, we would suggest you reconnect your keyboard.

I am describing the procedure below, please follow the steps provided to execute the task:

Step 1: To commence the process we will recommend you unplug your keyboard and then plug back in.

Step 2: In case of a USB keyboard, you will be able to do it by switching off your Computer.

Step 3: If you have a PS/2 keyboard, switch off of your system and then proceed to unplug your keyboard.

Solution 2: Perform A Registry Tweak

Changing address in the registry is a well-known process to customize the system or troubleshooting and many users have reported that this trick has worked wonders for them.

You can change a certain value about the Alt-Tab shortcut and this will fix the burning issue no doubt.

Step 1: Select Windows + R and enter regedit in the Run box and then hit the OK button.

Step 2: Now in the Registry Editor click on the Arrow and expand: HKEY_CURRENT_USER → Software → Microsoft → Windows → CurrentVersion → Explorer.

Step 3: Navigate to find  AltTabSettings. In case you cannot find so, right-click on any blank space and then choose  DWORD with 32-bit value. Next rename it–  AltTabSettings.

Alttab_settings

Step 3: Now double-click on the AltTabSettings and change the value to 1. Next hit the OK button.
Step 4: Finally close the window and reboot your PC. Hope this will solve the problem at once.

Solution 3: Update The Display Drivers And Your Keyboard

Sometimes there may be a problem in your keyboard driver. Your display driver keep your operating system and the hardware connected and when it is outdated, you may have issues like Windows 10 keeps alt-tabbing.

Follow the procedure described below to update the drivers and your keyboard so that you can check the issue:

Step 1: Select Windows Key + R and open Run. Then enter devmgmt.msc in the box and this will open the Device Manager.

Step 2: Now go to the Display Adapters section and then right-click on the available devices. We advise you to check and select each one. Next move on to the Update driver.

Display_adapters

Step 3: Go to the Keyboards Section and right-click on the keyboard that is available and then choose Update Driver.

Step 4: Download and Install the latest drivers and then give your Computer a fresh restart to check whether this solves your problem.

Sometimes as this is a bit tedious job, you may not like updating your drivers manually. In this case, you can take the help of third-party tools that automatically update all the drivers. 

Solution 4:  Disable Task in Task Scheduler

You can try this simple technique to Windows 10 keep alt-tabbing and try to resolve your issue. I am providing you a detailed process.

Follow the steps meticulously to execute the process properly.

Step 1: Go to the Start button and select Computer Management. Now search for the Task Scheduler / Task Scheduler Library.

Task_scheduler

Step 2: Next right click on the OfficeBackgroundTaskHandlerRegistration and then Disable it.

Step 3: When you disable the task, then launch your preferred game.

Solution 5: Take Help Of The Window Mode To Run The Game

If your games keep alt-tabbing, to combat the issue, take the help of the Window Mode to run the game. Follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Commence your game and then move on to the Graphics Settings.

Step 2: Here, change the settings so that the game runs in Window Mode. Sometimes you may have the Borderless Window Mode. You may either choose it or you may select the window mode, which has the same effect.

After you have accomplished the process, check whether this solves your problem.

Solution 6:  Update Your Windows

Updating windows is required to address many problems in the System. You can perform this task quite easily from your Updates and Security panel. Follow the below-given steps to do it:

Step 1: Go to Settings and go to Update & Security.

Step 2: Now choose Windows Update and select Check For Updates. When you locate any update complete the procedure and restart your system.

Windows_update

After you have rebooted the windows check whether it has made any improvement.

Solution 7:  Disable Startup and Service programs

You can disable the startup and service programs if you are still muddling with why my computer randomly tabs out the issue.

Follow the given steps:

Step 1: Select Windows Key + R and enter msconfig in the Run Box.  Then from the displayed System Configuration panel, move on to the services tab.

Step 2: Now, choose Disable All and hit the Apply button. Next, go to Startup Tab and open the Task Manager.

Step 3: When you get the option to select, choose each one of them, and press to disable.

After you are done, close the window of the Task Manager and give your Computer a fresh restart.

Solution 8: Enable Peek From The Control Panel

In the Classic Control Panel, you will be able to find this feature.  You can have a look or peek behind the windows as it makes them transparent.

In case if Peek gets disabled you will get windows 10 keeps alt-tabbing problem. Try the following process to do so:

Step 1: Go to the Settings and then to Advanced System Settings. Now go to the Performance section in the Settings.

Step 2: Check and ensure that Peek is enabled there. If not then select Enable Peek option to do it. Then hit the OK button. Check whether the Alt-Tab shortcut is working now. Make sure to give your system a fresh restart.

Enable_peek

Solution 9:  Perform A Virus Scan

Some malwares or virus affecting your PC is a quite common issue and this may affect your entire system. Always run a proper scan to detect any such malware affected portion.

This simple trick often play wonders and help you fix many problems effectively. Follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Go to Start and open Settings. Then click Update & Security.

Step 2: Now from your Windows Security tab select Virus & Threat Protection in order to check if there is any malware attack in the system.

Step 3: Now proceed to run an Advanced Scan. For this, you will have to choose Full Scan and then select Scan Now.

Step 4: Wait for a couple of minutes and allow the scan procedure to get completed. After the entire process is finished, give your PC and fresh restart and check whether this resolves the issue.

Wrapping Up

So, hopefully, by now, you could able to find out a proper solution for the computer alt tabs on its own problem.

If you have any related queries, you are welcome to share your ideas, suggestions,  in our comments section provided below. We look forward to hearing from you.

Filed Under: Hardware Tagged With: computer alt tabs on its own

About Sanchita Das

Seasoned, creative person with a professional mindset. Experienced working for both marginal and mainstream communities. Always loves to explore new ways and accept challenges.

Comments

  1. friend of order says

    October 19, 2021 at 3:35 pm

    Thank you for your help, Ms Das!

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