Windows 7: ALT+TAB - Use Classic Icons or Default Thumbnails

   Information

This will show you how to ether have classic icons or the default thumbnails previews of opened windows and programs displayed when you use the ALT+TAB keyboard shortcut in Windows 7 or Vista.

   Note

When your press ALT+TAB, press the TAB key to cycle through the open windows and programs. The selected item (icon or thumbail preview) is what will be displayed on the desktop when you release the keys.

Option One

Using a REG File Download

1. To Have ALT+TAB with Classic Icons

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Alt+Tab_Classic_Icon.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Have ALT+TAB with Thumbnail Previews
NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Alt+Tab_Thumbnail_Previews.reg

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Right click the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.

7.When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg files on the desktop if you like.

Option Two

Manually in Registry Editor

1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search boxand press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, click on Yes.

3. In regedit, go to the location below. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

4. To Have ALT+TAB with Classic Icons

A) In the right pane of Explorer, right click on a empty space and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value. (see screenshot below)

B) Type in AltTabSettings and press enter. Right click on AltTabSettings and click on Modify. (see screenshot below)

C) Type in 1 and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

D) Go to step 6.

5. To Have ALT+TAB with Thumbnail Previews
NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) In the right pane of Explorer, right click on AltTabSettings and click on Delete. (see screenshot below)

B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion. (see screenshot below)

6. Close regedit.

7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.