Alt-tab window won't stay on top of other windows in Windows 7

Anonymous
2009-11-19T20:44:44+00:00

WHen I do an alt-tab in Windows 7, if I don't constantly switch window (holding down alt and quickly clicking tab) it will go into Peek mode.  Normally, I would expect the alt-tab window to stay on top when the Peek happens, but, instead my little alt-tab window disappears behind the windows being brought forward by the Peek.  I can still cycle through the windows by pushing alt-tab, but my window has disappeared.  When I tried this on someone else's Windows 7 box, it didn't do this.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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Anonymous
2010-02-28T22:23:49+00:00

Go to Control Panel -> Advanced (or Advanced System Settings) -> in the section Performance click on "Settings..." button -> in the custom list of Visual Effects uncheck "Enable Aero Peek" -> click "Apply" button

Now the alt-tab window will stay afloat as long as you want.

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Anonymous
2011-02-13T05:18:48+00:00

I recently starting having this problem.

In my case, I've narrowed it down to the Windows Gadgets (i.e. sidebar.exe). Once I closed all my gadgets, the problem went away; alternatively, when I killed sidebar.exe, the problem went away.

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Anonymous
2009-11-20T17:44:29+00:00

Hi,

Welcome to Microsoft answers.

Which version of Windows7 are you running ?

I suggest you to update your display drivers, goto manufacturers website and download the latest drivers and install.

Also check use aeropeak to preview desktop, follow these steps:

  1. Right click on your desktop.
  2. Goto personalize.
  3. On the left bottom corner click on Taskbar and Start Menu.
  4. Check use aeropeak to preview desktop.

Let us know if you have any issues.

Thanks and Regards,

Azam - Microsoft Support.

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Anonymous
2010-01-05T19:32:31+00:00

OK.  I think I have the answer...I logged on to my computer with a different account and did not see the same Alt-tab problems I had before.  Assuming this was a profile issue, I logged in as an admin and deleted my profile (My Computer|Properties|Advanced System Settings|User Profiles|Settings).  I logged back in and don't have the alt-tab problem anymore.  You will end up losing a lot of your settings and don't forget to back up your desktop and Favorites, but, it works.

I would like to hear if this fixes the problem for anyone else.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-11-26T15:45:19+00:00

    WHen I do an alt-tab in Windows 7, if I don't constantly switch window (holding down alt and quickly clicking tab) it will go into Peek mode.  Normally, I would expect the alt-tab window to stay on top when the Peek happens, but, instead my little alt-tab window disappears behind the windows being brought forward by the Peek.  I can still cycle through the windows by pushing alt-tab, but my window has disappeared.  When I tried this on someone else's Windows 7 box, it didn't do this. 

    Hi ShmadamD,

     

    I just wanted you to know there is now a Microsoft Support Knowledge Base article which addresses your issue:

    The Alt+Tab keyboard shortcut unexpectedly displays the desktop in Windows 7

     

    Thanks for your participation on Microsoft Community.

    David C.

    Microsoft Community Site Manager

     

    Thanks for the reply, however your link is wrong. A number (3) is missing, it should be 2758373: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2758373

    It's already mentioned. Still, it's a workaround not a true solution.

    Background:

    IE9 installed, no ipoint.exe (I am using Logitech mouse)

    I tested 2 different Windows 7 machines with complete different hardware specs (different motherboard, CPU, GPU vendors (with latest drivers), etc.), both have this problem. Close any gadget works for me on both systems.

    To reproduce the bug: Alt-tab to Desktop, release the buttons, Alt-tab to one of opened programs, release the buttons, by now it should trigger the bug if the inducing factor is still there, e.g. using sidebar. Disabling Aero Peak works only because there is nothing to block the Alt-tab menu, but it doesn't mean the underlying bug is gone.

    It's a shame that Microsoft removed desktop gadget in Windows 8. Mac OS X has desktop widget that works well, instead of fixing and improving Desktop, they are more interested in mingling two UI paradigms to create a jarring and inconsistent user experience in new Windows, and making the Desktop one less function and uglier in the process.

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