Since this is a Gnome design feature, but understandably annoying for users coming from other environments, I think the right resolution is "Won't Fix".
** Changed in: gnome-shell (Ubuntu) Status: Confirmed => Won't Fix -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Desktop Packages, which is subscribed to gnome-shell in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1723831 Title: Alt+Tab doesn't work for same application with multiple windows Status in gnome-shell package in Ubuntu: Won't Fix Bug description: I open 2 File manager windows and also have other windows open. From the side dock, I can switch between the 2 File manager windows. But Alt+Tab doesn't swap back and forth like expected, it picks some other open application and brings that to the front. Tested this with Gnome Terminal and get the same result. Have open 2 terminals and a Firefox browser. I'd think Alt+Tab would switch between them if they were both the current and last used window, but no, Firefox comes to the front. ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 17.10 Package: nautilus 1:3.26.0-0ubuntu1 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.13.0-16.19-generic 4.13.4 Uname: Linux 4.13.0-16-generic x86_64 ApportVersion: 2.20.7-0ubuntu3 Architecture: amd64 CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME Date: Sun Oct 15 19:46:16 2017 ExecutablePath: /usr/bin/nautilus-desktop InstallationDate: Installed on 2015-10-29 (717 days ago) InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 15.10 "Wily Werewolf" - Release amd64 (20151021) ProcEnviron: PATH=(custom, no user) XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set> LANG=en_US.UTF-8 SHELL=/bin/bash SourcePackage: nautilus UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to artful on 2017-10-15 (0 days ago) To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-shell/+bug/1723831/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages Post to : desktop-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp