App Switching - Enable or Disable in Windows 8

How to Enable or Disable App Switching in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the App Switching options in PC settings, and the ability to switch between recent Store apps in the Switch List bar for all or specific users in Windows 8.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

EXAMPLE: "App Switching" in PC settings when Disabled

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EXAMPLE: "Switch List" (Switcher) when Enabled
NOTE: When disabled, the Switch List bar will not open.

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OPTION ONE

To Enable or Disable App Switching using a REG File

   Note

The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\EdgeUI

TurnOffBackstack DWORD

0 = Enable app switching
1 = Disable app switching

1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.​

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2. To Enable App Switching for Only Current User​

NOTE: This is the default setting.​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

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Enable_App_Switching.reg​

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3. To Disable App Switching for Only Current User​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

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Disable_App_Switching.reg​

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4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.​

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5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.​

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6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK.​

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7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​

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8. If you enabled App Switching, then users will now be able to turn on Switcher.​

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OPTION TWO

To Enable or Disable App Switching in Group Policy

NOTE: This option for using group policy is only available in the Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise editions.

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1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.​

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2. In the left pane, click/tap on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and open Edge UI. (see screenshot below)​

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3. In the right pane of Edge UI, double click/tap on Turn off switching between recent apps. (see screenshot above)​

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4. Do step 5 or 6 below for what you would like to do.​

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5. To Enable App Switching​

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A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below step 6A)​

NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.​

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6. To Disable App Switching​

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A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)​

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7. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.​

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8. If you enabled App Switching, then users will now be able to turn on Switcher.​

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Turn App Switching On or Off in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
• Turn On or Off Swipe from Left Edge to Switch Directly to Most Recent App in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Use "Switcher" to Switch Between Opened Apps in Windows 8
• How to Clear your App Switching List History in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
• How to Create a "Switcher" Shortcut in Windows 8
• How to Enable or Disable Switcher Top Left Hot Corner in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
• How to Enable or Disable Touchpad Edge Swipes in Windows 8

 

[littlewing]

I am running Windows 8 on an Asus laptop and I have not been able to disable app-switching. For whatever reason, this computer does not allow me to change any touchpad settings through the control panel, and even after "turning off" this feature through both the Windows settings and the Asus software, the damn thing was still switching screens on me. It was driving me crazy, but I wasn't confident enough to change anything in the registry myself. I just registered on this forum specifically to thank you for this download -- Thank you!!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome littlewing, and welcome to Eight Forums. I'm glad it was able to help.