How to Switch Tasks Faster in Windows 8
Aug 22, 2012 05:19 PM EDT by 
If you do even a little bit of multitasking, Windows 8′s Switcher menu — its preferred way of changing tasks — can be extremely confusing. While the menu of thumbnails that appears on the left side of the screen shows separate tiles for each of your Metro-style Windows 8 apps, it lumps all of your desktop windows into a single thumbnail, no matter how many applications you have open.
If you use Switcher and want to switch to a program that’s running on the desktop, you must navigate back to the desktop and find it there, an extra unnecessary step. Fortunately, you don’t need to use Switcher at all, because there are a couple of other ways to change tasks that are much quicker.
ALT + Tab
The good old ALT + Tab keyboard shortcut will show you a menu with every desktop and Windows 8 app on it. You can keep hitting ALT + Tab to select the app you want, but after you’ve switched apps, the menu disappears.
Dock the Desktop
If you are in the Modern UI and you dock the desktop, the dock will contain a list of thumbnails that show all your open desktop apps. Unfortunately, if you want to see a list of open Windows 8 apps, you’ll need to open the Switcher so this method still doesn’t give you a single unified task menu.
More Windows 8 Tips
- How to Launch Apps from The Desktop in Windows 8
- How to Eliminate the Time-Wasting Lock Screen in Windows 8
- How to Shut Down Windows 8 In Just One Click
- How to Read POP Mail in Windows 8
- How to Add a User the Right Way in Windows 8
- How to Make Window 8′s Desktop More Touch Friendly
- How to Search the Web Faster in Windows 8
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October 29th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
I had no choice but to get a machine with W8 because on this island that is all they sell, captive audience. I hate it. Especially how the Yahoo email shows up, you can not even navigate it or log out…how can I fix this to make it appear as it has since its inception? I can not tolerate how it displays on this stupid w8. Thank you
November 16th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Just noticed and thought about the short version of Windows 8
W8 or wait if it was a car number plate
WOndering if M$ meant for me to W8 for the next OS on offer, W8 seems to be a new WIN ME
March 26th, 2013 at 8:19 pm
I cannot PRINT a document. Just do not know how.
April 3rd, 2013 at 11:19 pm
My 2 cents on Windows 8… This is the worst tech item I’ve ever purchased.
This is a waste of time OS in a busy, “make it faster” world.
This OS would be ideal for an iPhone or touchscreen stuff, but NOT for a PC, and definitely NOT for the workplace.
Don’t know what Microsoft was thinking, but this is nothing but utter fail.
April 9th, 2013 at 12:33 am
I have just purchased new pc with windows 8. I have been using windows xp for past 9 years. I am in my 80′s now & concerned about the new procedures to use it with minium fuss. Can some kind person recommend the easiest & best way to proceed. Thank you . Jim H. Australia
April 9th, 2013 at 3:32 pm
It’s simple really, ever since vista came out, the new way was not, easier and better, it was, hide configuration settings so new users don’t take a hold of the os and master it easily. Just like there’s a law, you must know the law, but nobody knows the law.
Hiding important settings, changing the different settings layouts to something complicated but “Modern looking for the next generation and appearance-freaks” etc.
Even if windows 8 was really just 7 with a cool new shiny theme people would still buy it because they hate feeling outdated.
Windows 8 is two OS inside of one. Microsoft is trying to kill explorer (the desktop basically). The next big transition in computer technology is the “cloud”. But not really the cloud. Basically your harddrive will be on the internet. You wont download a game. You’ll play it over the internet. You won’t be able to make your pc private and secure because there will be no way to change it. Booting your computer will mean opening your session on their private, unstable, unsecure servers.
The big corporations are preparing for the next big change. Android and Windows 8 are the worst I’ve seen so far.
April 9th, 2013 at 10:01 pm
I think we should all get together and create a class-action suit against Microsoft to get our money back or at least get another version of Windows to download. This whole windows 8 thing is a mess. I thought these guys were supposed to be geniuses. Don’t think so now.
April 28th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
I purchased a new CPU with no option but windows 8, after almost a month of trying to learn the operational features I cannot burn Data DVD to a blank CD,
for some reason following the instruction in “help” (I still can’t burn Data DVD to a blank CD)
Can someone help me????
May 4th, 2013 at 4:33 am
Win + Tab
May 14th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
I agree with AngryFrank above. Ease of use GONE, productivity KILLED, consumer really frustrated. Microsoft should offer free downgrades for we victims of this OS.