What is the primary function of Alt + Tab in most modern operating systems?

The correct answer is Switches between open applications.

Key Points

• The Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut is widely used to switch between open applications in modern operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Pressing Alt + Tab displays a task switcher interface, showing thumbnails or icons of currently running applications.
• Users can hold the Alt key and repeatedly press Tab to cycle through the open applications.
• This feature improves productivity and multitasking by allowing quick navigation between multiple tasks without using the mouse.
• It is supported by most graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and is a fundamental feature of modern operating systems.

Additional Information

• Task Switcher:
  • The Task Switcher is a graphical interface activated by Alt + Tab, displaying all running applications for easy navigation.
  • It allows users to preview minimized or background applications before switching to them.
• Alt + Shift + Tab:
  • This variation of the shortcut allows users to cycle through open applications in the reverse order.
  • It is useful for quickly returning to the previous application without scrolling through all open tasks.
• Other Useful Shortcuts:
  • Ctrl + Tab: Switches between tabs within the same application (e.g., in web browsers or text editors).
  • Windows + Tab: Opens the Task View interface in Windows, providing a broader overview of open applications and virtual desktops.
• Cross-Platform Usage:
  • While Alt + Tab is commonly associated with Windows, macOS uses Command + Tab for similar functionality.
  • Linux-based systems also support Alt + Tab, depending on the desktop environment (e.g., GNOME, KDE).