Window Switcher is a lightweight productivity tool designed to enhance window and application management on Windows operating systems. It allows users to quickly switch between windows of the same application using Alt+` (Backtick) and cycle through open applications with Alt+Tab (disabled by default). This utility simplifies multitasking, helping users navigate their workspace efficiently.
Key Features:
Intuitive Hotkeys: Use Alt+` to switch between windows of the same app or Alt+Tab to cycle through open applications.
Customization Options: Configure hotkeys, enable/disable features, and adjust settings via a simple INI file for tailored behavior.
Virtual Desktop Support: Switch windows or apps within the current virtual desktop or across all desktops, depending on user preference.
Minimal Resource Usage: Runs smoothly without significant performance impact, making it ideal for productivity.
Admin Mode (Optional): Manage applications running in administrator mode when Window Switcher is launched as an administrator.
Audience & Benefit:
Ideal for power users, developers, and anyone who multitasks across multiple windows or applications on Windows. By streamlining window management, Window Switcher enhances efficiency and reduces the time spent navigating between tasks. It provides a seamless experience for those seeking quick access to their workspaces without compromising performance.
Window Switcher can be installed via winget, offering a straightforward setup process.
README
Window Switcher
Window-Switcher offers hotkeys for quickly switching windows on Windows OS:
Alt+`(Backtick): switch between windows of the same app.
Alt+Tab: switch between apps. (disabled by default)
💡 Hold down the Alt key and tap the `(Backtick)/Tab key to cycle through windows/apps, Press Alt + `(Backtick)/Tab and release both keys to switch to the last active window/app.
Installation
Download: Visit the Github Release and download the windows-switcher.zip file.
Extract: Unzip the downloaded file and extract the window-switcher.exe to your preferred location.
Launch:window-switcher.exe is a standalone executable, no installation is required, just double-click the file to run it.
For the tech-savvy, here's a one-liner to automate the installation:
Window-Switcher offers various customization options to tailor its behavior to your preferences. You can define custom keyboard shortcuts, enable or disable specific features, and fine-tune settings through a configuration file.
To personalize Window-Switcher, you'll need a configuration file named window-switcher.ini. This file should be placed in the same directory as the window-switcher.exe file. Once you've made changes to the configuration, make sure to restart Window-Switcher so your new settings can take effect.
Here is the default configuration:
# Whether to show trayicon, yes/no
trayicon = yes
[switch-windows]
# Hotkey to switch windows
hotkey = alt+`
# List of hotkey conflict apps
# e.g. game1.exe,game2.exe
blacklist =
# Ignore minimal windows
ignore_minimal = no
# Only switch within the current virtual desktops: yes/no/auto
only_current_desktop = auto
[switch-apps]
# Whether to enable switching apps
enable = no
# Hotkey to switch apps
hotkey = alt+tab
# Ignore minimal windows
ignore_minimal = no
# Only switch apps within the current virtual desktops: yes/no/auto
only_current_desktop = auto
The window-switcher works in standard user mode. But only the window-switcher running in administrator mode can manage applications running in administrator mode.
Important: If you enable the startup option while running in standard user mode, it will launch in standard mode upon system reboot. To ensure startup with admin privileges, launch the window-switcher as administrator first before enabling startup.