Effective ways to view and manage all open apps in Windows 11

Handle different tasks at once, jump between several apps or recovering a window that seems lost is the daily bread when using Windows 11. Many users do not exploit all the resources that allow View and manage all open apps in Windows 11 quickly and efficiently, multiplying productivity and saving a lot of headaches.

In this article I bring you a detailed guide with All the ways and tricks to view, organize, find, and close open apps in Windows 11. From traditional methods like the start menu and taskbar, to keyboard shortcuts, virtual desktops, window organizers, batch scripts, and configurations that can make a difference if a window gets lost on the desktop. I'll explain it to you like a colleague, so you can choose the method that best suits your needs at any given time.

Basic options to see all apps in Windows 11

Before we get into the advanced tricks, it's important to know The main ways Windows 11 offers to see which applications you have open and which ones you have installedThe Windows interface itself has evolved to offer shortcuts and shortcuts to access everything running or available on your computer:

• Start Menu: Click on the Windows icon in the lower left corner and select All applications to view the complete list of installed programs, both the apps that come standard and those you have added yourself.
• TaskbarOpen applications appear highlighted as icons on the taskbar. If you hover over each icon, a thumbnail of the open windows appears.
• Task View (Win + Tab): Provides an overview of all open windows and available virtual desktops.

Windows 11 also adds visual improvements, thumbnails, and integrations to make everything more intuitive. If you're looking for better manage the workspace and have everything you're using in view, keep reading because I'll explain more effective methods below.

Managing windows with Snap and the Space Wizard

One of the most useful features for multitasking in Windows 11 is SnapWhich enables Easily arrange windows by dragging them to the edges or corners of the screenThis feature makes it easier to manage when you're working with multiple applications open simultaneously. To expand your options, you can also View background apps in Windows 11 and manage your priority.

When you drag a window to the side, the system shows you visual suggestions and thumbnails of open apps, helping you automatically snap any of them to another position on the screen. This helps maximize space and improve the visibility of the apps you're using.

The Remaining Space Wizard It suggests how to complete your window layout, quickly creating an organized and efficient environment. This way, you avoid overlapping programs and can quickly locate any active window.

Task switcher: the classic Alt + Tab and its variants

The shortcut Alt + Tab It remains an essential tool for many users. With this method, each press of Tab displays a different thumbnail of the currently open applications.

It's a quick way to switch between work, searches, chats, or any running software without having to go to the taskbar or Start menu. If a window is minimized and you want to bring it back, you can easily locate it here. You can also close it from this view if necessary.

Task View: Windows 11's Panoramic Mode

Clicking on Win + Tab, you access the Task view, a powerful mode for view all open applications and manage virtual desktops. Unlike Alt + Tab, it provides a much more complete view, allowing:

• Restore any window by clicking on it to bring it to the foreground.
• Create new virtual desktops to separate different projects.
• Drag and move applications between different desktops.

If a window has been lost or moved to another virtual desktop, this method will make it easier to locate and recover quickly.

Using multiple virtual desktops in Windows 11

Los virtual desktops They're an increasingly popular tool for organizing work, study, and leisure time on your PC. Windows 11 lets you create multiple desktops, each with its own apps and specific wallpapers.

This feature helps separate contexts (e.g., one for work, one for leisure, one for personal projects) and avoids the chaos of scattered windows. Switching between desktops is easy with Ctrl + Win + right or left arrow. To learn more about its management, you can consult How to manage virtual desktops in Windows 11.

You can also customize each desktop by changing its background, moving apps between them, and adjusting the visibility of icons and shortcuts. This helps maintain control and order, even with many windows open.

How to view and manage all installed applications?

To view the complete list of applications installed on your device (not just the open ones), just:

1. Click on the start menu, in the lower left corner.
2. Click on All applications to display the complete catalog.

This way, you can confirm whether an app is actually installed or just not opened yet. If you want to manage multiple apps together, you can also use Task Manager in Windows 11.

Recover lost windows due to display settings

Some windows may move out of the visible area, especially if you change the monitor resolution, scale, or orientation, or if you previously used a secondary display. To avoid these issues, check your display settings in Windows 11 display settings.

To recover them, you can try:

• Adjust the monitor resolution in display settings to make sure you have enough visible space.
• Modify the orientation (vertical or horizontal) to make the windows reappear in the main area.
• Custom the scale so that the interface is displayed correctly and the windows are not out of sight.

These steps make it easier for windows to reappear or not get "lost" in altered display configurations.

Keyboard shortcuts for viewing and moving open applications

To improve your workflow by using shortcuts, Windows 11 offers very practical combinations. Some notable ones are:

• Win+P: Change the display when multiple monitors are connected. Select "PC display only" to center all windows on the primary monitor and restore unseen ones.
• Win+Z: Opens Quick Snap layouts to organize windows into different layouts.
• Alt + Tab: Switch between open applications.
• Win + Tab: Access the task view to manage virtual desktops.
• Ctrl + Win + arrows: Switch between virtual desktops.

Using these shortcuts in combination ensures you always have control over your open windows and applications. If you want to learn more about how to use them, View and change app priority in Windows 11, here you have more information.

Troubleshooting tablet mode and virtual desktops

On hybrid or convertible devices, Windows may automatically turn on the tablet modeIf this happens on a desktop PC, windows may change behavior and some applications may appear to disappear from the usual desktop. To better manage these situations, check enable or disable the recent apps button.

Remember that if an application does not appear, it may be on another virtual desktop, and use Win + Tab will help locate and recover them.

Closing open applications: effective tricks and methods

If you need to quickly close multiple applications to free up resources or clean up your desktop, here are a few different methods:

From the taskbar

Right-click on the icon of an application with multiple windows and select Close all windowsThis quickly closes all open documents or instances of that app.

Resource Monitor

Press the Windows key, search Resource Monitor and open it. From there, you can terminate selected processes with a right-click, allowing you to close multiple applications at once. If you need to restore critical processes, the monitor also allows you to try doing so using .

Batch scripts

For advanced users, create files '.bat' commands taskkill /f /im app.exe (replacing "app" with the process name) allows you to close multiple applications with a double-click. It includes multiple lines for different programs and saves the file with a .bat extension so you can run it whenever you need.

Command Prompt (CMD)

Open the Command Prompt as administrator and use taskkill /f /im app.exe to close each specific process. This is a straightforward method, but it requires knowing exactly which process to close.

How to view installed applications and their details

To locate and manage installed applications, in the section Applications and features With Windows 11 you can:

1. Search for “Apps & features” in the search bar.
2. Sort by instalation date o name.
3. Filter by unit of storage if you have more than one.
4. Search by keyword to quickly locate an app.

From there, you can also check the version and uninstall it if you no longer need it.