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Is there any way to add the empty desktop entry to the task switch list to switch to it with alt+tab in windows xp? Like in windows 7.
I know this is not (or at least not public/documented) part of Windows XP so I'm looking for workarounds (like ahk), enhancments/extensions, hooks, wrappers/emulators, hacks (like dll hacks or alternate dll versions from other ms products) or as last resort replacements.
n611x007
Posted 2013-06-18T09:34:23.697
Reputation: 5 291
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There is Desktop! by Skrommel, a freeware program which gives the desktop window (because that's what the desktop is, a maximized always-on-bottom folder window) its own taskbar button. Which can then of course be Alt-Tab'ed to.
loopernow
Posted 2013-06-18T09:34:23.697
Reputation: 64
thank you sir! it's even open source, they are AHK scripts. what's more, this coder's page is a gold mine! has 50+ great fun program – n611x007 – 2014-06-19T11:23:04.607
may I ask how did you find out that the desktop is a window? (any more revealing resource on this matter?) – n611x007 – 2014-06-19T11:24:57.717
1I used to mess around with installing software like this a lot, also messed with alternative shells, that's where my information about the desktop window came from...just picked it up experiences. I'm not a programmer so I apologize that I cannot give a more precise answer! – loopernow – 2014-10-19T13:11:44.373
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You could minimize all open windows (but not dialogs) with Win+M and later restore the windows with Win+Shift+M.
You could also show the desktop with Win+D and later restore the windows with Win+D.
If you want to keep the window order when restoring you should try to not to use Alt+Tab after showing the desktop with keys like above.
Werner Henze
Posted 2013-06-18T09:34:23.697
Reputation: 4 214
+1 this actually works! I will wait a little in case someone comes up with an alt-tab solution. I actually recall I once knew this so alt+tab would have the advantage for me that I can remember it more easily, apparently. :) – n611x007 – 2013-06-18T12:07:19.550
1-1 this actually doesn’t work. This minimises only minimisable windows (not including dialogs), while Win-D also brings the desktop to front. – kinokijuf – 2013-06-18T12:20:35.140
1@kinokijuf It works, but not in all cases :). I edited my answer to give win+m and win+d and tell the difference. – Werner Henze – 2013-06-18T13:09:04.380
it seems that win+shift+m actually restores the layout even after win+d - latter minimizes dialogs, too. although if I do any task switch the dialog and its parent window comes up without me asking. – n611x007 – 2013-06-18T19:48:04.127
@Weerner WinD doesn’t minimise the dialogs, for they can’t be minimised. It minimises windows and brings the desktop to front, effectively hiding dialogs behind it. – kinokijuf – 2013-06-19T12:00:37.043
This might not help you much, but win+d is a lot faster than alt tabbing around. – SBI – 2013-06-18T09:47:07.203
@SBI thanks! but my problem with
win+dsince 95 is that it is too easy to destroy the original window "inter-layout" with it. if you use alt+tab after win+d, then the old layout is lost and you have to restore the windows manually, one-by-one. Ideally, I would like the desktop be just another window when task-switching, but below everything (so desktop effects work and no funny always-on-top behaviour with fake desktops) – n611x007 – 2013-06-18T09:52:06.560@naxa Its not possible to add this feature to Windows XP. – Ramhound – 2013-06-18T10:47:41.913
@naxa: Try the app I suggested on your other question. – Karan – 2013-06-18T18:04:02.210