Some games just flat-out don't support it sadly, and it's a lot of the time because they use old software.

It has gotten better with newer games that's for sure!

A workaround I use successfully with some games that break Alt-Tab is to launch them on another virtual desktop. Switching desktop sometimes works even when Alt-Tab does not.

On some SDL games one can also Alt-Enter to place the game in a window and then Alt-Enter again to restore it back to being fullscreen.

I think it's a rare issue. So Far only 1 out of 46 games I tested wouldn't Alt-Tab properly. I have mainly tested on Windows so it may be an issue of sloppy Linux ports. I haven't tested enough Linux games to make that call yet.

yes the issue is super rare.. i havent seen a game that doesnt let you alt+tab or switch wrokspaces (alt+ctrl+arrowkeys) lately.

depends on WM also i think. on linux alt+tab is not the same as for windows
same function on linux is alt+f9 which minimizes the thing
alt+tab is just for switching between different windows and sometimes you need to hold it a bit longer to bring up the list

Quoting: Xpanderon linux alt+tab is not the same as for windows
same function on linux is alt+f9 which minimizes the thing
alt+tab is just for switching between different windows and sometimes you need to hold it a bit longer to bring up the list

As far as I can tell the function of Alt+Tab and Alt+Shift+Tab is the same on plain Ubuntu 14.04 and Linux Mint LXDE as it is on any Windows system (switching between the last two windows or bringing up the Window-switcher), the only difference being the behaviour and design of the switcher. I cannot remember ever having used a Linux distribution, where the default behaviour of Alt+Tab wasn't roughly the same as on Windows (or vice versa), though admittedly I first used Linux only a few years ago.

So there seems at least some level of misunderstanding here :-/

@PublicNuisance: I see the problem exclusively on Linux, with games that worked fine on Windows.

what i actually meant that on linux alt+tab doesnt minimize windows but it brings anotherone on top ..so if you are running a game and alt+tab to lets say terminal window.. it brings terminal on top of the game window unless the game is programmed to loose focus when not on top.

with alt+f9 you can minimize window

well thats with MATE desktop.. which is gnome2 from the old days... but as far as i know most DE's use the same system.. dunno about recent gnome3 or unity versions though

Seems to work the same in Xfce at least.

I had an interesting experience today that may help some of you. I was playing Shadowrun returns and when I go to run the game I am always presented with the option to either run or run in terminal. Both will run the game but if I choose run in terminal then Alt-Tab doesn't work but if I just pick Run it will.