Tip of the week # 419
17 April 2014

Preview and flip through your open windows (Windows 7)

Anybody who ever attended one of my courses (or is an astute reader of this tip series) knows I absolutely love keyboard shortcuts. One of my favourite ones is ALT + TAB (the 'boss key' ) to quickly switch between open windows. (See tip_21.html if you don't have a clue what I'm talking about.) During yesterday's course, one of the participants (thanks, Miguel!) shared a different method, that might actually become my new pet way to flip through open windows. (That is, once I've changed my habit, as - at the moment - I'm still pressing ALT + TAB.)

Here's how:

1. Press WIN + TAB to display a stack of all your open windows.
2. Keep your finger on the WIN key and continue to press the TAB key, until you reach your desired window. (In case you overshoot your desired window, press SHIFT + WIN + TAB to cycle the other way. )
3. Release the WIN key.

This feature is called AeroFlip 3D (don't ask) and might not work if you customised your desktop theme. For example, I had my favourite picture on my desktop, and it didn't work. So if you like the sound of this tip, stick to one of Microsoft Windows 7 themes.

That's it for this week. Happy Easter! Don't stuff yourself silly on chocolate.