Is it possible to make "Minimize" action send window to bottom of Alt+Tab stack in Windows 11?

Windows 11 introduces several new features and improvements to enhance the user experience. One of these changes is the redesigned Alt+Tab switcher, which allows you to quickly switch between open windows. However, some users may prefer the previous behavior of the "Minimize" action, which sent the window to the bottom of the Alt+Tab stack. In this article, we will explore whether it is possible to restore this functionality in Windows 11.

By default, when you minimize a window in Windows 11, it is removed from the Alt+Tab switcher. This means that if you have multiple windows open and you minimize one of them, it won't appear in the Alt+Tab list when you press the Alt+Tab keys to switch between windows. Instead, you will need to use other methods, such as clicking on the minimized window's icon in the taskbar, to bring it back to the forefront.

While there is no built-in option in Windows 11 to change this behavior, there is a workaround that you can use to make the "Minimize" action send a window to the bottom of the Alt+Tab stack. This workaround involves making changes to the Windows Registry, so it is important to proceed with caution and follow the instructions carefully.

Here are the steps to make the "Minimize" action send a window to the bottom of the Alt+Tab stack:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following location:

4. Right-click on the Explorer key in the left pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
5. Name the new value AltTabSettings and press Enter.
6. Double-click on the AltTabSettings value and set its data to 1.
7. Click OK to save the changes.

Once you have completed these steps, the "Minimize" action will send a window to the bottom of the Alt+Tab stack in Windows 11. You can now test this by minimizing a window and then pressing the Alt+Tab keys to see if the minimized window appears in the switcher.

It is important to note that modifying the Windows Registry can have unintended consequences if not done correctly. We recommend creating a backup of your Registry before making any changes. If you encounter any issues after making these changes, you can restore the backup to revert to the original settings.

In conclusion, while Windows 11 does not provide a built-in option to make the "Minimize" action send a window to the bottom of the Alt+Tab stack, you can achieve this behavior by making changes to the Windows Registry. However, it is important to proceed with caution and follow the instructions carefully to avoid any potential issues.