Game Keeps Tabbing Out: Stop the Auto Alt Tab Issue

Do you ever find yourself in the middle of an intense gaming session or working on an important project, only to be abruptly taken back to your desktop? If so, you might be experiencing the frustrating auto Alt Tab issue. Fortunately, we have a range of solutions that can help you put an end to this problem.

Why does my game keep tabbing out?

There are several reasons why your game might keep tabbing out. It could be due to software conflicts, incompatible hardware, or even bugs in your operating system. Additionally, third-party apps can modify your keyboard shortcuts or create dialog boxes that cause the game to tab out unexpectedly. Here are some common variations of this issue reported by users:

• Auto alt-tab script
• Computer alt tabbing on its own
• Windows 10 auto tabbing
• Games keep alt tabbing by themselves
• Computer tabbing itself

These solutions apply to both Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices, so let’s get started and stop those games from tabbing out.

What can I do if my game keeps alt tabbing out?

1. Reconnect the keyboard

Start by unplugging and then re-plugging your keyboard. If it’s a USB keyboard, you can do this without turning off your PC. However, if you’re using a PS/2 keyboard, you’ll need to turn off your PC and disconnect the keyboard. After reconnecting, check if the auto Alt Tab issue persists.

2. Update keyboard and display drivers

To update your drivers, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run command.
2. In the Run box, type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter.
3. Expand the Display adapters section, right-click on each listed device, and select Update driver.
4. Select Search automatically for drivers.
5. Wait for Windows to locate and install the best available drivers on your computer.
6. Repeat the same steps to update your keyboard drivers.
7. After installing the new drivers, restart your computer and check if the issue persists.

Updating your drivers to the latest versions can help resolve conflicts between the system and the keyboard, potentially fixing the auto Alt Tab issue. Additionally, you can use third-party software like Outbyte Driver Updater to automatically scan your system for errors or missing drivers and make the necessary updates or installs.

3. Perform a virus scan

Run a thorough virus scan on your PC to ensure that malware is not causing the auto Alt Tab issue. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Click the Start button and open Settings.
2. Select Update & Security.
3. Choose the Windows Security tab, and then click on Virus & threat protection.
4. Click on Scan options.
5. Select Full scan and click Scan now.
6. After the scan is complete, restart your computer and check if Alt Tab still keeps popping up.

While Windows Defender offers excellent protection against malware, you may want to consider using a third-party antivirus tool like Bitdefender to perform a more thorough scan of your PC.

4. Run the game in Window mode or Borderless window mode

Try launching the game in either Window mode or Borderless window mode to prevent it from tabbing out. In the game’s graphic settings, switch the display mode to either Borderless Window or Windowed mode. Many users have reported that this change resolved the issue of games tabbing out on their own.

5. Disable a task in the Task Scheduler

To disable a task in the Task Scheduler, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the Start button to open the Power User menu and select Computer Management.
2. Choose Task Scheduler from the left panel, expand Task Scheduler Library, and double-click on Microsoft.
3. Select OfficeBackgroundTaskHandlerRegistration, right-click on it, and then select Disable.

After disabling the task, check if the PC still keeps tabbing out of games. If the issue persists, move on to the next method.

6. Disable Startup and Service programs

To disable Startup and Service programs, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig in the text field, and hit Enter to open the System Configuration.
2. Go to the Services tab, click on Disable all, and then click Apply to save the changes.
3. Next, go to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
4. Select each program configured to launch at startup individually and click Disable.

Once done, close the Task Manager and restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Check if the games still keep tabbing out on their own.

7. Update Windows

Keeping your Windows up to date can resolve many system-related issues, including the auto Alt Tab problem. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings and click on Update & Security.
2. In the Windows Update tab, click on Check for updates.
3. If updates are found, let the system complete the download and installation process, and then restart your computer.

After rebooting your PC, check if updating the OS fixed the automatic Alt Tab issue. Alternatively, you can download specific updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

Can I alt tab without minimizing the game?

Yes, you can! Switching the game to Windowed mode is the key. Most games have an option to switch to Windowed mode in the display settings. Once in Windowed mode, you can use Alt Tab without minimizing the game. Keep in mind that this may slightly affect your gaming experience.

That’s all there is to it! These solutions should help you resolve the auto Alt Tab issue in Windows, whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11. If you found this article helpful, leave a comment below. For more tips on optimizing your PC for gaming and improving performance, visit Capturing Fantasy.