Make minimized window move to the end of the alt-tab list

Question

In XP, if you minimize the current window, it goes to the end of the list for Alt-Tab purposes. In Windows 7, if I minimize a window and then Alt-Tab, I go right back to that window I was trying to get rid of.

Is there a way to make minimize push the window to the end of the list, or some other way to manage the Alt-Tab list order?

Edit: I apologize for saying that this is how Windows 7 behaves. It turns out that Windows 7 sometimes gets into a state where Minimize does not put the window at the bottom of the z-order. I cannot figure out exactly what steps cause Windows 7 to get into this state, but I must do it pretty frequently because this bugs me all the time.

So, when Windows 7 is in this state, here is what happens:

1. Open multiple windows. I usually have them all maximized.
2. Press Alt-Tab. Call this window "A".
3. Press Alt-Tab. Call this window "B".
4. Minimize window "B". Window "A" is now visible.
5. Press Alt-Tab.

At this point, I see window "B" again, even though it should have been at the back of the Alt-Tab list (or Z-ordering as it's called).

When Windows 7 behaves this way, I've tried adding the AltTabSettings registry entry. This changes the appearance of the Alt-Tab dialog, but doesn't change the Z-ordering effect of the Minimize button.

When I just now tried to reproduce this, Minimize works properly (pushes window to end of Z-order). I haven't yet been able to pinpoint what changes this behavior.

Answer 1

Instead of minimizing, hit Alt-Esc. This will put the window at the bottom of the Z-order.

Answer 2

AFAIK- it's not the bottom of the Z-order, unless I'm missing something.

When you do Alt-Esc and then Alt-Tab, the window you Alt-Esc-aped comes right back.

Answer 3

From a similar question Getting back the old alt-tab windows switching behavior in Windows 7?:

To restore the XP Alt-Tab functionality simply, lauch regedit, add a DWORD named AltTabSettings to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer and set its value to 1.

You need to restart Explorer for changes to take effect (restarting your computer is an easy way to do this)

Personally I prefer the 3D Aero flip (Windows Key + Tab) which (on my system at least) pushes minimised apps to the back of the stack

Answer 4

I don't know if there's a way to change the Z-order of a specific window (other than the method that Jeremy suggested) but you can cycle through the list in reverse order if all you wish to do is Alt+Tab through the rest of the windows:

1. Minimize the window
2. Press Alt+Shift+Tab
3. If you continue to hold down Alt+Shift, you can cycle through the list in reverse order by pressing Tab

If you follow these steps, the window that you just minimized should appear last in the Alt+Tab list order.

Answer 5

Everything has worked just fine all the way up to Windows 11 (but NOT 24H2), IFF you set AltTabSettings to 1 (and most would also set CoolSwitchRows and CoolSwitchColumns) making z-order work perfectly and alt-ESC work perfectly and successive alt-tabs cycle the latest 2 windows (that are not alt-ESC'd!). This is how many of us have used Windows for over 25 years. (Upon Win 7 MS began trying to change user behavior, but thank GOD, still permitted AltTabSettings.)

Plus what's just as important for me and others who have multiple windows open, AltTabSettings=1 gets icons instead of preview thumbnails. Those previews quickly obliterate screen space, forcing you to needlessly scroll, but you can even easily get 100 icons on the screen at once if you want by setting CoolSwitch. (Note, you would still have those previews under Windowskey-ESC at all times if you want.)

But it is game over on Windows 11 24H2 (in my opinion 24H2 is the worst [forced] Microsoft change since the terror of Windows 8). When you go to 11 24H2 you MUST use previews; if you have more than 10 or so windows active, you WILL be forced to scroll; alt-tab will not toggle the latest 2 windows, z-order is scrambled, and alt-ESC will be useless. As of 30 May 2025 there is no solution to what Microsoft did to destroy AltTabSettings and z-order management, even WinAero. I repeat: Win 11 24H2 has irreversibly destroyed AltTabSettings=1 and z-order management - unless this jihad is reversed or third party subverted at a future time; consider deferring that upgrade or dropping to Win 10 as a mitigation strategy when you are forced to take the 11 24H2 "upgrade".

(One simple explanation of AltTabSettings: http://exodusdev.com/content/revert-xp-style-alt-tab-coolswitch-behavior-windows-7-and-windows-vista)

Answer 6

It would surprise me a lot if there was a way to force Windows to change the way it does alt-tab. The only tweaks I know of have to do with the look of the alt-tab window, rather than with its algorithms.

You might instead be interested in one of the following two alt-tab replacements, which might better suite your working habits :

VistaSwitcher

Switcher

Answer 7

I think this article explains what's going on and why sometimes a minimised goes to the back, and sometimes not.