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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

3 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments

171 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-05-06T18:51:24+00:00

    Based on Bruce Dawson's fix-it program I created a modified version that fixes this problem for anyone who experiences this problem with a Kaspersky Anti-Malware product (Kaspersky Anti Virus, Internet Security, others?).

    The reason why Bruce Dawson's original version doesn't fix the problem for Kaspersky products is that they create a non-zero-sized window that Bruce Dawson's version doesn't touch as a precautionary measure, because changing non-zero-sized windows has a higher risk of breaking other things.

    I created two versions (both tested on Windows 8.1 and with Kaspersky Internet Security 2014 (14.0.0.4651(f)):

    1. This version fixes all zero-sized-windows (ipoint, sidebar, IE, etc.) and additionally avpui.exe (Kaspersky user interface process):

    download [1] / zip download [2]

    1. This version can be used when Bruce Dawson's version can't help and it isn't caused by Kaspersky. This version removes the topmost attribute from all topmost+visible windows (except windows owned by explorer.exe). This fixes the problem, but because it also changes visible non-zero-sized windows there is a higher risk that it will break things, therefore be cautious with this version:

    download [1] / zip download [2]

    Both version come with source code and 3 compiled versions:

    alttabfixercontinous.exe - runs in background and fixes problems as soon as it detects them

    alttabfixeronce.exe - runs the fixes once and display the results

    alttabfixeronceandclose.exe - runs the fixes and closes without waiting for user confirmation

    [1] use this link if you only want to download specific files

    [2] use this link if you want everything in a zip file

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments