Multiple windows pop-up while using alt+tab command

Dear Domic,

This issue is not occurring on all PCs, only 2-3 person (PC) getting this issue. can you help to sort it out.? we tried reinstalling SAP, but still its continue to occurs.

Hello Mrugank Patel,

When you see multiple windows pop up while using Alt+Tab, it usually means that the application you’re working with is opening separate top‑level windows instead of handling everything inside a single parent window. In your screenshot, SAP Business One is running, and each module (Financials, Sales, Purchasing, Inventory, etc.) is treated by Windows as an independent window. Alt+Tab enumerates every top‑level window, so you end up with multiple entries instead of just one consolidated view.

This is not a fault in Windows itself but rather how SAP’s client UI is designed. Applications that use MDI (Multiple Document Interface) or spawn independent forms will always appear as separate items in Alt+Tab. There isn’t a registry tweak or group policy to force Windows to collapse them into one. The only way to reduce clutter is to use SAP’s own navigation pane or minimize modules inside the main SAP window instead of leaving them floating. Alternatively, you can use Windows Task View (Win+Tab) or virtual desktops to organize your workspace more cleanly.

If you want Alt+Tab to behave differently, the only configurable option in Windows 10/11 is under Settings > System > Multitasking > Alt+Tab, but that only controls whether Edge tabs appear, not how third‑party applications like SAP expose their windows. In short, the multiple entries are expected behavior given how SAP opens its modules.

I hope you've found something useful here. If it helps you get more insight into the issue, it's appreciated to accept the answer. Should you have more questions, feel free to leave a message. Have a nice day!

Domic Vo.

Alt+Tab is showing many thumbnails because Windows is treating each window or tab from that app as a separate task. Reduce what appears in Alt+Tab and simplify switching by adjusting Multitasking settings.

1. Open Start > Settings > System > Multitasking.
2. Under Snap windows, configure snapping as desired (optional).
3. Under the option To display tabs from apps when snapping or pressing Alt+Tab, choose a smaller value or Don’t show tabs so Alt+Tab only shows app windows instead of many individual tabs.
4. Under Desktops, for To show all open windows when pressing Alt+Tab, choose Only on the desktop I'm using if multiple desktops are in use and causing extra entries.

If this is managed by an organization, an admin can also control Alt+Tab behavior with the BrowserAltTabBlowout policy so that Alt+Tab shows only app windows or a limited number of Microsoft Edge tabs.

References:

• How to Multitask in Windows
• Make it easier to focus on tasks
• Policy CSP - Multitasking