Shortcuts are a great way to maximize your productivity with minimal effort. Recently, we had a client ask about shortcuts for switching between open programs in the new Windows 10. We realized if one client is asking, there are surely others who are also curious and could benefit from this information! Not a Windows user? No worries. We’re also sharing tips for those using Mac OS X El Capitan.

After a little trial and error followed by some Googling, we confirmed that the options listed below all offer successful shortcuts for switching between open programs on your PC or Mac.

Windows 10

Many of you will be familiar with the first option, but the others — and in particular the last one listed — may come as a pleasant surprise:

  • Alt+Tab: This shortcut is the classic that has been around forever and is most frequently used by those familiar with it. Hold down the Alt key and tap Tab to see a list of running programs as thumbnails. If you continue holding down Alt and tapping Tab, you’ll cycle through all open programs.
  • Alt+Esc: This option lets you bypass seeing the thumbnails. Holding down Alt and tapping Esc cycles through the actual open program windows until you find the one you want.
  • Ctrl+Alt+Tab: This is the least well-known shortcut. By pressing this key combination and then taking your hands off the keys, you’ll bring up thumbnails of the open programs through which you can use the right and left arrow keys to highlight and scroll.

Added bonus: Add Shift to any of the above shortcuts to move in reverse through the program thumbnails.

Mac OS X El Capitan

The Apple support web page provides these shortcuts for switching between open program windows in Mac OS X El Capitan:

  • Press Command-Tab: Quickly switch to the previous app.
  • Press Command-Tab, then tap Tab: Continue to hold the Command key, then tap the Tab key repeatedly. When you find the program you want, stop and release the keys.
  • Command-Tab, then continue to hold down the Command key: Then use the mouse pointer or arrow keys to scroll through the open programs.

Lastly, when performing any of the above Mac shortcuts, press the Esc or period (.) key to resume work without switching apps.

Happy productivity!