Windows Switcher - Vista

One of the first things I noticed, going back to Windows after using Mac OS for a couple years, was this little icon in the quick launch menu - the windows switcher.

I *don't* want to make this yet another OS v OS thread. I use both Windows and Leopard, have issues with both, and like things about both.

But that little windows switcher icon on the quick start menu is a ridiculously small target. Is there any way to do something like assign a hot corner to the screen so that you can just throw the mouse there to engage it? Like (yes) expose'? Same question for the show windows icon, I guess.

I know about alt-tab, and use it on occasion, but find it awkward to use with my keyboard (and my clumsy fingers).

Also - if that function is here to stay, I hope MS does away with the unnecessary 3d eye candy. Much easier to tile the windows to see the contents of each at just a glance. Again, like expose'

 

You could just make a shortcut to it on the desktop, via right-click -> Send to -> Desktop.

 

Windows key + Tab shortcut does the same thing as the little "switcher" icon.

Also, you can make a shortcut on the desktop pointing to
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe DwmApi #105

If you have a snaptics touchpad on your laptop, you can map a cornor of its area to run "C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe DwmApi #105" which will be the samething as pressing that little"windows switcher" icon.

If you use external mouse with multiple buttons, you can map one of those buttons to activate the "3d flip".

If you just want the normal switcher without the eye candy, just use alt + tab.

There are software which can map certain parts of the screen to activate certain functions. Someone else can fill you in with that detail.

 

Thanks. +1 Knew about alt-tab but not windows-tab.

Touchpad is synaptics, so I'll look into that, too.

Heh. It's been a long while since I've felt like a Windows newb

 

Yeah. Win + Tab will engage Flip 3D and forward-scroll through the open windows. Holding Shift in addition will scroll in the opposite direction.

 

Bet probably 50% of the people who read this will have just pressed winkey + tab to test it.

+rep for the multitude of options given to the original poster.

 

can u explain exactly how to use snaptics touchpad for running commands , i have an HP dv5 with snaptics touchpad but i have no options

 

It's in the synaptics device settings. If you don't have those settings, upgrade to newer snaptics driver. I'm using version 12. 2.11. It enables, 2/3 finger scroll/tab/launch programs/do anything as well as various multitouch gestures.

I programed my left mouse button on my netbook to activate 3dflip. Since I tap the touchpad to left click and 2/3 finger tap to right click, I can safely reprogram the two buttons to whatever I want without loosing functionaility.

 

Looks like Synaptics is up to 13.0.4.0

http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=15103

That's what I get for not searching LV2GO.

edit: thanks again, everyone.

mapped top-right tap to window switcher, use right side scroll to move thru windows. Works like a charm.

 

@jackluo923,
i can't find 12.11
http://www.synaptics.com/support/drivers
final is 10. something
i am using HP Dv5 laptop please send me the correct link to find the driver
thanks again for ur help, sorry i couldn't give u reputation again as system states that i must give other people reputation b4 giving ya again

 

You'll find the latest driver at the link in my post above (laptopvideotogo). Not sure why it isn't available directly from synaptics.

 

thanks for ur reply

 

Um... The drivers on synaptics website is all generic. The ones on laptopvideo2go is OEM and newer.

 

Wow, I hope it's not that bad a statistic. I thought everyone knew Win+Tab.

 

A lot of people don't know about it, heck no one in my family even knows about "Alt-Tab"

 

That is just disturbing. I should write up a list of Windows commands somewhere. Actually, I think I did write a few down in some thread, but what are the chances I'll ever find it?

Edit: I had just posted some 'F' key functions.

Also,

Win+M minimizes
Win+E opens file browser
Win+D shows desktop
Win+R opens Run dialogue

 

Lol, yeah!

I've learned a few new ones too since Vista:

Ctrl+Shift+Esc = Windows Task Manager
Windows+Pause/Break = System Info
Windows+E = Windows Explorer
Windows+D = Desktop
Ctrl+Shift+Enter will run app as administrator (using "Run or Start Search"), great for CMD.

I know they've been there a while, but when I got into Vista I started revisiting them.

 

And just plain Ctrl+Esc opens the Start Menu, I believe (can't test because I'm in Linux).

 

Who would use that? I just press the windows key for start menu

 

I wouldn't use it, that's for sure.

But it's there, for whatever reason. Maybe it's useful if some manufacturers didn't have Windows keys? Or you never know... some bizarre virus that corrupts the Start command, maybe a broken Win key. Freaking Bill Gates anyways.

 

yep, there are quite some old keyboards without the win-key. for those, ctrl-esc is great.

and yes, you find those keyboards on some consoles in some old outsourced serverrack, where you have to go check what's wrong at 2 o'clock in the morning because of some emergent call...

then, remembering ctrl-esc is nice