11

I think these problems bother me with the native alt-tab app:

  • It feels a bit sluggish - it takes about 0.3 seconds for the alt-tab window to appear.
  • I'd like to configure Alt-Shift-Tab to go one window backwards (not sure who to do this with the native one).
  • I don't like how the only visible window is the window I'm switching too - I'd like a behavior similar to Windows' alt-tab.
Improve this question

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
4

Alt Tab is controlled by your Window Manager. Gnome uses either metacity or compiz if effects are turned on. They each behave slightly differently with Alt-Tab. I don't have any delay with either WM, Alt-Tab is quite fast on my system.

If you're using Compiz, you try turning down effects in ccsm or try switching to Metacity. Alt Shift Tab also works with both WMs. I'm not completely thrilled with Metacity's behavior. When going backwards, it initially skips minimized Windows. Luckily, I rarely find a need to minimize, but it's annoying when I do.

Based on your third point, it sounds like the Alt Tab behavior of Compiz which is just like how Windows 7 ruins Alt Tab if I hold on one Window for too long. That behavior can be configured with ccsm under Window Management -> Static Application Switcher -> Appearance -> Selected Window Highlight. Try turning Opacity to 100% and/or changing Highlight Mode.

Your second issue might be a problem with Key Bindings. Key Binding for Compiz are under Window Management -> Static Application Switcher -> Bindings.

Improve this answer
5
  • How do I reach ccsm? (Just running ccsm isn't working. Does it mean I'm not using Compiz? How do I find out what I am using?)
    – ripper234
    Apr 21, 2011 at 10:18
  • Opacity solves my 3rd problem completely. 1st problem solved by setting "popup window delay" to 0. 2nd point - alt-shift-tab does work, but only if you do it from the start. If you start alt-tabbing, but after a few alt-tabs hold shift, it doesn't start going in reverse (very useful if you pass the target window by just one window) . This is still unsolved, but I'll accept your answer because it's great and solved my other issues - thanks.
    – ripper234
    Apr 21, 2011 at 13:44
  • Yes, not having a way to go backwards can get annoying, but I can't seem to reproduce your problem with my Compiz setup. I still suspect it's a binding problem. My binding for Alt-Tab and Shift-Alt-Tab is Next Window and Prev Window, respectively. I also have bindings for Cntrl-Alt-Tab and Cntrl-Shift-Alt-Tab which are Next Window (All Windows) and Next Window (All Windows). It sounds like you finally found ccsm. It was in a separate package on my Ubuntu computer called compizconfig-settings-manager. I've also seen the command spelled out on some systems as well. Hope you get it working!
    – penguin359
    Apr 21, 2011 at 15:59
  • @ripper I forgot to mention you in my reply. I did not notice any difference in behavior between the Control and non Control variation.
    – penguin359
    Apr 21, 2011 at 16:00
  • Please write in paragraphs. It's annoying to try and parse or scan a huge wall of text.
    – Ian Dunn
    Apr 26, 2015 at 19:10
1

If built-in task manager feels sluggish, you can try lightweight standalone alt-tab application: https://github.com/sagb/alttab
Don't forget to disable built-in Alt-Tab key binding as described above.

Improve this answer
0

The Alt-Tab handler is not an "app" and doesn't have "replacements" as in Windows. It is part of the window manager.

In GNOME 2 with effects enabled, the WM is Compiz. You can use the ccsm tool to adjust behavior of the "Window Switcher" plugin. (There are two such plugins, by the way.)

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    On the contrary, the Alt+Tab handler is an ordinary application under Unix. It can be (and usually is) the same application that does other things such as provide window frames and a task bar.
    – Gilles 'SO- stop being evil'
    Apr 17, 2011 at 15:33
  • @Gilles: Like I said, the window manager.
    – u1686_grawity
    Apr 17, 2011 at 15:36
0

In Gnome Shell on Gnome 3.34.3 in Ubuntu 19.10 x86_64, Settings, Devices, Keyboard Shortcuts, Navigation, Switch windows "Alt+Tab" doesn't group, but also doesn't include minimized windows like the Coverflow Alt-Tab extension does, which also overrides the normal grouped Switch applications "Super+Tab" with the same.

According to the awful search of Ubuntu Software, "Power Alt-Tab", "Openboxy Alt-Tab", "LinuxLex Alt-Tab Switcher", and especially "Windows Alt Tab" might also work as desired.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .