Multiple windows pop-up while using alt+tab command

Question

Multiple windows pop-up while using alt+tab command

Answer 1

Hello Mrugank Patel,

Thank you for the clarification.

Based on our understanding, SAP is not opening different modules. Instead, Windows is showing multiple identical SAP entries in the Alt+Tab view, and clicking any of them always opens the same SAP screen.

To help isolate the behavior, could you please confirm: Does this issue occur only with SAP, or do other applications also show duplicate entries when using Alt+Tab?

Additionally, please try the following if not already done:

1. Go to Settings > System > Multitasking

Under Alt+Tab, set“Show tabs from apps” to “Don’t show tabs”

2. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)

• Restart Windows Explorer
• Close and reopen the SAP application

If the issue occurs only with SAP and not other applications, this strongly indicates an application‑specific interaction between SAP Business One and Windows. In that case, we recommend engaging SAP support, as they are best positioned to investigate application‑level window handling.

If you would like us to help investigate further at OS level, a formal support ticket would be required to collect detailed logs and determine root cause.

Please let us know your findings.

Ivy Bui

Answer 2

Hello Mrugank Patel,

Thank you for sharing the details and the screenshot.

We understand that on a few PCs, pressing Alt+Tab shows multiple identical SAP windows. This behavior is usually related to how SAP Business One opens its modules and how Windows displays open windows, rather than an issue with the SAP installation itself.

To help reduce or temporarily clear the issue, could you please try the following steps on the affected PCs:

1. Check Alt+Tab settings

• Go to Settings > System > Multitasking
• Under Alt+Tab, please check whether the option “Show tabs from apps when pressing Alt+Tab” is set to “Don’t show tabs”

2. Restart Windows Explorer and SAP

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
• Right‑click Windows Explorer and select Restart
• Close the SAP application, then start it again

SAP Business One opens each module or screen as a separate window. Because of this design, Windows lists each open SAP screen separately in the Alt+Tab view. This is expected behavior and explains why reinstalling SAP does not resolve the issue.

To minimize this, we recommend:

• Closing unused SAP screens when possible
• Using SAP’s internal navigation instead of Alt+Tab to switch between SAP modules

Please let us know if the above steps help or if you notice any changes after adjusting the Alt+Tab setting.

If this answer could solve the issue, it's appreciated to accept the answer.

Thank you again for your patience and support!

Ivy Bui

Answer 3

Dear Domic,

This issue is not occurring on all PCs, only 2-3 person (PC) getting this issue. can you help to sort it out.? we tried reinstalling SAP, but still its continue to occurs.

Answer 4

Hello Mrugank Patel,

When you see multiple windows pop up while using Alt+Tab, it usually means that the application you’re working with is opening separate top‑level windows instead of handling everything inside a single parent window. In your screenshot, SAP Business One is running, and each module (Financials, Sales, Purchasing, Inventory, etc.) is treated by Windows as an independent window. Alt+Tab enumerates every top‑level window, so you end up with multiple entries instead of just one consolidated view.

This is not a fault in Windows itself but rather how SAP’s client UI is designed. Applications that use MDI (Multiple Document Interface) or spawn independent forms will always appear as separate items in Alt+Tab. There isn’t a registry tweak or group policy to force Windows to collapse them into one. The only way to reduce clutter is to use SAP’s own navigation pane or minimize modules inside the main SAP window instead of leaving them floating. Alternatively, you can use Windows Task View (Win+Tab) or virtual desktops to organize your workspace more cleanly.

If you want Alt+Tab to behave differently, the only configurable option in Windows 10/11 is under Settings > System > Multitasking > Alt+Tab, but that only controls whether Edge tabs appear, not how third‑party applications like SAP expose their windows. In short, the multiple entries are expected behavior given how SAP opens its modules.

I hope you've found something useful here. If it helps you get more insight into the issue, it's appreciated to accept the answer. Should you have more questions, feel free to leave a message. Have a nice day!

Domic Vo.

Answer 5

Alt+Tab is showing many thumbnails because Windows is treating each window or tab from that app as a separate task. Reduce what appears in Alt+Tab and simplify switching by adjusting Multitasking settings.

1. Open Start > Settings > System > Multitasking.
2. Under Snap windows, configure snapping as desired (optional).
3. Under the option To display tabs from apps when snapping or pressing Alt+Tab, choose a smaller value or Don’t show tabs so Alt+Tab only shows app windows instead of many individual tabs.
4. Under Desktops, for To show all open windows when pressing Alt+Tab, choose Only on the desktop I'm using if multiple desktops are in use and causing extra entries.

If this is managed by an organization, an admin can also control Alt+Tab behavior with the BrowserAltTabBlowout policy so that Alt+Tab shows only app windows or a limited number of Microsoft Edge tabs.

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References:

• How to Multitask in Windows
• Make it easier to focus on tasks
• Policy CSP - Multitasking