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Tabs and Windows

How to use browser tabs, manage windows, and switch between apps on your computer

Tabs let you have multiple web pages open inside a single browser window, like folders in a filing cabinet. Instead of opening a separate window for every website, each page gets its own tab at the top of the browser. You can switch between them by clicking the tab you want.

Windows are the bigger containers. You can have multiple browser windows open, each with its own set of tabs. And beyond the browser, your computer runs many apps at once in their own windows. Knowing how to switch between all of these quickly is one of the biggest time-savers on a computer.

Opening and closing tabs:

  1. Press Cmd + T to open a new tab
  2. Press Cmd + W to close the current tab
  3. Press Cmd + Shift + T to reopen a tab you just closed – this works multiple times to bring back tabs in reverse order, and it is one of the most useful shortcuts on a computer

Switching between tabs:

  • Cmd + Option + Right Arrow moves to the next tab
  • Cmd + Option + Left Arrow moves to the previous tab
  • Cmd + 1 through Cmd + 9 jumps directly to a specific tab by position (9 always goes to the last tab)
  • Click any tab at the top of the browser to switch to it

"I lost my tab" troubleshooting:

  • If you accidentally closed a tab, press Cmd + Shift + T immediately to bring it back
  • Check your other browser windows – the tab might be in a different window. Use Cmd + ` (backtick, the key above Tab) to cycle through windows of the same app
  • Look in the browser's History menu for recently visited pages
  • If your browser crashed, most browsers offer to restore your previous session when you reopen them

Too many tabs:

Every open tab uses memory (RAM). If your computer feels sluggish, having 30+ tabs open is a common cause. Close tabs you are not using, or bookmark them first with Cmd + D so you can find them later.

Browser windows:

  • Cmd + N opens a new browser window
  • Cmd + ` (backtick) switches between windows of the same app
  • Cmd + W closes the current tab. Cmd + Shift + W closes the entire window with all its tabs

Switching between apps:

  1. Hold Cmd and press Tab to see all your open apps
  2. Keep holding Cmd and press Tab repeatedly to move through the list
  3. Release Cmd to switch to the highlighted app

Split screen:

  1. Hover your mouse over the green button in the top-left corner of any window
  2. Choose Tile Window to Left of Screen or Tile Window to Right of Screen
  3. Pick a second app for the other half
  4. You can also drag a window to the left or right edge of the screen to snap it into place

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my tabs if my browser crashes?▾

Most modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) automatically save your session. When you reopen the browser after a crash, it will usually offer to restore your tabs. If it does not, check the browser's History menu for your recent pages.

Do too many tabs actually slow down my computer?▾

Yes. Each tab uses memory, and some tabs (especially ones with video or complex websites) use a lot. If your computer is running slowly, try closing tabs you are not using. Even 15-20 heavy tabs can make a noticeable difference on computers with 8 GB of RAM or less.

What is the difference between a tab and a window?▾

A tab is a single page inside a browser window. A window is the entire browser frame that can hold many tabs. Think of a window like a book and tabs like bookmarks in that book. You can have multiple books (windows) open, each with their own bookmarks (tabs).

Can I reopen a tab I closed a long time ago?▾

Ctrl + Shift + T (or Cmd + Shift + T on Mac) reopens tabs in reverse order, so you can press it many times. For tabs closed much earlier, go to your browser's History (usually Ctrl + H or Cmd + Y) to search through everything you have visited.

Is there a limit to how many tabs I can have open?▾

There is no hard limit, but your computer's memory sets a practical one. Chrome and other browsers will eventually slow down or stop loading tabs properly when you run out of memory. If you regularly have dozens of tabs open, consider bookmarking groups of tabs or using a tab management extension.