I believe most Windows users are familiar with the Alt+Tab keyboard shortcut. Pressing the Alt+Tab key allows you to view and switch between all the running programs on your computer with ease without using a mouse. Somehow, the default Windows Alt-Tab switcher can be further enhanced to improve your productivity.
VistaSwitcher is a lightweight task management utility for Windows that comes with a lot of great features which makes the default Windows Alt-Tab switcher looks like a loser. This utility replaces the default Windows Alt-Tab dialog with a nice box that displays a list of all running programs with their names and preview snapshots.
Moreover, it allows you to take actions on the running applications using the mouse and keyboard shortcuts. With just a single click, you can switch to a task, minimize, maximize, restore the main window or close the process.
Here are the main features of VistaSwitcher
- Outstanding UI, semi-transparent backgrounds and antialiased fonts
- Live window and desktop previews under Windows Vista and 7
- Task list with mouse-over selection
- Multiple task selection, tile windows vertically or horizontally
- Minimize, maximize, restore, close windows and groups of windows
- Compatible with UAC, works with elevated applications
After installation, VistaSwitcher will replace the default Windows Alt-Tab dialog and sits at the system tray. To start using this utility, just press Alt+Tab to show the list of all running applications. Pressing the Ctrl+Alt+Tab key will show the list of windows of the foreground application.
You can go through the running applications by holding the Alt key down and pressing Tab, or pressing the Up and Down Arrow keys, or moving the mouse pointer up or down the list. To switch to the task, click it with the mouse or release the Alt key.
To access the program menu and settings, simply right-clicking the VistaSwitcher tray icon.
VistaSwitcher is free for download and is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and 7 for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
