Why can't I switch between applications?

bosco500 · bosco500 #1 (**permalink**)

01-28-2009, 10:51 AM

I realize that I'm probably not doing it right. I'm used to hitting "alt+tab" to switch applications. So I use "apple+tab" and it looks like it is going to switch, but the new app does not come to the screen. However I notice that the new app does have focus because the bar at the top of the screen switches to the new apps bar. Just no application visible.

Thanks for any help!

McBie · McBie #2 (**permalink**)

01-28-2009, 10:57 AM

Cmd+Tab will allow you to switch between apps.

bosco500 · bosco500 #3 (**permalink**)

01-28-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McBie

Cmd+Tab will allow you to switch between apps.

Sorry, I told you wrong. After looking at the keyboard, I am and was using command+tab.

Lets say I'm working in Firefox. I hit command+tab and switch to opera. Well Firefox stays on the screen, but the bar at the top says opera. Is this normal?

bobtomay · bobtomay #4 (**permalink**)

01-28-2009, 11:04 AM

With Opera it could be. The default setting of Opera's Mac version is that it does not open a Window if there is not a tab open. This can be changed in it's Preferences on the General tab I believe (not at my Mac right now).

Dysfunction · Dysfunction #5 (**permalink**)

01-28-2009, 11:08 AM

It would be normal if the cmd-tabbed to app was minimized as well

bosco500 · bosco500 #6 (**permalink**)

01-28-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobtomay

With Opera it could be. The default setting of Opera's Mac version is that it does not open a Window if there is not a tab open. This can be changed in it's Preferences on the General tab I believe (not at my Mac right now).

Thanks for the reply. However I was using opera as an example. All of my programs work in this manner, no matter which I am switching to. The program that I switch to gets focus in the skinny bar at the top, but the actual program work area does not come to the screen.

blackmac11 · blackmac11 #7 (**permalink**)

01-28-2009, 11:19 AM

Do your programs have actual windows open, and are they minimized? If they are minimized or have no window open, then the control bar at the top will show that program but the window you just switched from will still be on the screen

bosco500 · bosco500 #8 (**permalink**)

01-28-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danc.coulthard

Do your programs have actual windows open, and are they minimized? If they are minimized or have no window open, then the control bar at the top will show that program but the window you just switched from will still be on the screen

Bingo. Its because the window is minimized.

Is there an option anywhere to have the window maximize when chosen from cmd+tab?

Thanks again!

Kash · Kash #9 (**permalink**)

01-28-2009, 02:06 PM

I don't know of any way to get an application to maximize upon Cmd + Tab, but might I suggest hiding the application instead of minimizing it. Instead of hitting the minimize button or Cmd + M, hit Cmd + H. That way when you cycle through the applications via Cmd + Tab, the window will pop back up and it was out of your way the entire time.

bosco500 · bosco500 #10 (**permalink**)

01-28-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kash

I don't know of any way to get an application to maximize upon Cmd + Tab, but might I suggest hiding the application instead of minimizing it. Instead of hitting the minimize button or Cmd + M, hit Cmd + H. That way when you cycle through the applications via Cmd + Tab, the window will pop back up and it was out of your way the entire time.

Sounds like a good solution to my problem. Thanks for the help

McBie #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 26, 2008 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,836 Mac Specs: 2008 MBP 17" - 10.8.2 & iPad - iOS 5.1	01-28-2009, 10:57 AM Cmd+Tab will allow you to switch between apps. " Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler. " A. Einstein The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude towards the problem. You understand ?
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bobtomay #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,796 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	01-28-2009, 11:04 AM With Opera it could be. The default setting of Opera's Mac version is that it does not open a Window if there is not a tab open. This can be changed in it's Preferences on the General tab I believe (not at my Mac right now). I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
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Dysfunction #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 17, 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 6,527 Mac Specs: 2008 and 2011 15" mbps, late 11 iMac, iPhone 4s, and too many ipods and other stuff	01-28-2009, 11:08 AM It would be normal if the cmd-tabbed to app was minimized as well mike This machine kills fascists Got # ? phear the command line!
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blackmac11 #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 16, 2009 Location: Tecumseh, Ontario Posts: 498 Mac Specs: iMac 20" 2.4 GHz Dual Core 3GB Ram 320GB Hard Drive 10.6.2 :: Ipod Touch 8 GB :: Beastly Gaming PC	01-28-2009, 11:19 AM Do your programs have actual windows open, and are they minimized? If they are minimized or have no window open, then the control bar at the top will show that program but the window you just switched from will still be on the screen l I’ll keep it short and sweet — Family. Religion. Friendship. These are the three demons you must slay if you wish to succeed in business. -Monty Burns
	QUOTE Thanks

Kash #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 03, 2006 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 9,385 Mac Specs: Black Macbook C2D 2GHz 3GB RAM 250GB HD iPhone 4 iPad 3G	01-28-2009, 02:06 PM I don't know of any way to get an application to maximize upon Cmd + Tab, but might I suggest hiding the application instead of minimizing it. Instead of hitting the minimize button or Cmd + M, hit Cmd + H. That way when you cycle through the applications via Cmd + Tab, the window will pop back up and it was out of your way the entire time. June 2007 July 2009
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Why can't I switch between applications?

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bosco500 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 28, 2009 Posts: 8	01-28-2009, 10:51 AM I realize that I'm probably not doing it right. I'm used to hitting "alt+tab" to switch applications. So I use "apple+tab" and it looks like it is going to switch, but the new app does not come to the screen. However I notice that the new app does have focus because the bar at the top of the screen switches to the new apps bar. Just no application visible. Thanks for any help!
	QUOTE Thanks

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