[Fix] Windows 11 freezes when alt-tabbing from the game

What causes [Fix] Windows 11 freezes when alt-tabbing from the game?

Corrupted system files
Registry settings for Alt+Tab
Incompatibility with specific games
Issues with Windows updates
System performance problems

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Hello. My Windows 11 PC started freezing whenever I alt-tab from a game. It has happened multiple times and it is super annoying. Can I do anything to fix this?

Windows 11 is the newest operating system from Microsoft. It was released at the end of 2021 and it offers an updated user interface, design, and many other features.[ref en-1] However, many people noticed that there are issues with the newest version of Windows. There are various bugs, glitches, and freezes.

Recently, many people have flooded the online forums with a new problem - Windows 11 freezes when alt-tabbing from the game. Users report the screen freezing but the audio still playing and the mouse cursor working but not clicking on anything. The issue happens while playing Valorant, Forza, and other games.

While it is unknown why exactly Windows 11 could start freezing when alt-tabbing from the game, in this guide, you will find 6 steps that could help you fix it. You will learn how to uninstall Windows updates, use the system restore utility, and much more.

If you want to avoid a lengthy troubleshooting process, you can also use a maintenance tool like [d1] that can fix most system errors, BSODs,[ref en-2] corrupted files, and registry[ref en-3] issues. Otherwise, follow the step-by-step instructions below carefully.

Fix windows 11 freezes when alt tabbing from the game

Method 1. Fix Corrupted System Files

Use Command Prompt commands to repair system file corruption:

Open Command Prompt as administrator
Use the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow

Reboot your system
If SFC returned an error, then use the following command lines, pressing Enter after each:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Method 2. Revert to the old Alt+Tab System

Click on the search bar and type in regedit
Open the Registry Editor and visit this path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer

Right-click on the Explorer folder and pick new, then DWORD value (32 bit)
Set the name as AltTabSettings
Double-click on the newly created AltTabSettings and change the value from 0 to 1

Click OK and restart your system

Method 3. Switch from Fill to Letterbox in Valorant

If you experience this issue while playing Valorant, you can try changing the settings, which some users say has helped make the crashes less frequent.

Click on the Video tab on the top right
Go to the General Settings and find the Aspect Ratio Method
Choose Letterbox and press APPLY

Switch from fill to letterbox in valorant

Method 4. Uninstall Recent Windows Updates

Before proceeding, keep in mind that this can leave your device unprotected from the latest security threats.

In Settings, from the left sidebar, select Windows Update
On the Windows Update page, click Update History

From the Related Settings section, choose Uninstall Updates
To remove an update, select it in the list and then click Uninstall

Click Yes in the prompt to continue

Method 5. Perform a System Restore

Go to the Start menu, type restore, and click on Create a restore point
Click System Restore, then follow the prompts until you can select a restore point

Select the one you want (ideally before the freezing problems started) and go ahead with the process

Method 6. Perform a Repair Install

Visit the official Microsoft website to download Windows 11 Installation Media
Run the Media Creation Tool and select Create Installation Media for another PC
Select your USB drive
Let the Process complete of writing the Installation files to the USB drive
Click Finish
On the PC you wish to upgrade, Press Windows + E to open the File Explorer
Open the Removable drive and click Setup.exe

Accept the license terms on the next screen
Confirm the Upgrade options – Files, apps and Settings are kept
Click Install, and the upgrade should start

Bottom line

To address the freezing issue when alt-tabbing from games in Windows 11, you can repair corrupted system files using Command Prompt, revert to the old Alt+Tab system through the Registry Editor, or adjust settings in specific games like Valorant. If these methods do not resolve the problem, consider using a maintenance tool to fix system errors.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my Windows 11 freeze when I alt-tab from a game?

This issue may occur due to graphics driver conflicts or insufficient system resources while running games. Make sure your graphics drivers are updated and check if your system meets the game's requirements.

How can I prevent Windows 11 from freezing when switching between applications?

You can try adjusting your game's settings to lower graphics quality or disabling full-screen optimizations. Additionally, ensure that your Windows 11 is fully updated and perform a clean boot to minimize background processes.

Is there a way to troubleshoot freezing issues specifically for games on Windows 11?

Yes, you can use the built-in Windows Troubleshooter for gaming, check for Windows updates, or reinstall the game to resolve any corrupted files causing the freeze.

Did this fix work for you?

Written & verified by

Chris Lawson

Registry & System Configuration Expert

Registry editing Group Policy configuration Advanced system settings Boot repair Windows configuration

Chris Lawson is a Windows registry and advanced configuration expert who tackles the deep-level fixes that most troubleshooting guides avoid. His work covers safe registry editing, Group Policy configuration, advanced system settings, boot repair, and low-level Windows configuration that requires precision to get right. Chris provides step-by-step registry edits and configuration changes backed by thorough testing, with clear explanations of what each change does and how to undo it if needed. His guides are trusted by power users and IT professionals who need reliable instructions for advanced Windows management.

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