How to use Aero Flip 3D and Alt-Tab in Windows 7
Posted on May 30, 2009 at 5:53 am
Aero Flip 3D was first introduced in Vista. With Aero Flip 3D, you can quickly preview all of your open windows (for example, open files, folders, documents and programs) without accessing the taskbar. It displays your open windows in a visually pleasing stack.
To use Flip 3D, click and hold the Windows button together with the tab key. As you hold the windows button press the tab key to rotate the stack. This will move the windows in a queue so you can see all of your windows in sequence. Once you see the window that you want to view, release the windows button. The window when you release the windows button will be the active window.
Alt-Tab on the other hand will show the opened windows too, but in a different visual presentation. Instead of a 3D stack, it displays the each of the windows’ thumbnails. On Windows XP, Alt-Tab displays the icons of the programs instead of thumbnails. You can switch between windows by continually pressing Tab while holding Alt.
You can also move around by using the arrow keys instead of the Tab key.
Note: Flip 3D is part of the Aero experience. If your computer does not support Aero, or if you are using a theme other than a Windows 7 Aero theme, you can view the open programs and windows on your computer by pressing Alt+Tab.
If you find the traditional Alt-Tab method to be boring, the Flip 3D method is a good alternative. The only downside is that you need to have a hardware that supports Aero.
Ben Carigtan shows you how it’s done.
» Filed Under Windows 7
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If you go “too far”, you can also hold shift to go back one window instead of having to cycle through them all once over.
Pressing WINKEY+SPACE will make all windows transparent so you can see the desktop. Not really sure what purpose this serves, as you can’t mouse-click on any of your desktop icons, but it’s cool to look at nonetheless.
@ Big Bob
I’m guessing the WinKey + Space combination is so you can have a quick glance at the gadgets on your desktop (if you use them).
Neat little trick though… Anyone know of any more not so well known shortcuts/key combinations?
if you press ctrl+winkey+tab you can release all the buttons and browse in the aero flip3D with only up or down. neat trick if you got lots of open
I use these 2 about every 10 minutes!
WinKey + …
+ D –show desktop (minimize everything) (toggle)
+ R –open Run
This evening I just tried the WinKey with everything. The most useful combinations I found:
+ T –tabs through all windows open on Taskbar, by groups, and with larger thumbnails than you get with ALT+TAB.
+ [any number key] — similar to the last one, but you can aim for a group of open windows
+ G –shows all your gadgets on top of other windows and moves from one to next
+ Pause/Break key (above number keypad) –open Control Panel\System: basic info about system. This is very useful if you’re on the phone with a novice user and you need to find out the specs on their computer: OS, hardware basics, support phone number, computer name, workgroup or domain name, Windows product ID.
I really like the new 3D flipping ability in Windows 7. Is there a way to do that in XP? I still have an older XP PC too…thanks.
I’ve accidentality done something and disabled the 3D Aero Flip feature on my computer. How can I re-enable it?
Thanks, this is a cool feature in Windows 7. On my 24-inch LCD it looks great!
If Aero Flip 3D has stopped working, check this – http://www.online-tech-tips.com/windows-7/windows-7-troubleshoot-aero-problems/
Windows+P is a display control menu, mainly for laptops but you can extend the display to two monitors too. Windows+UP maximizes the window in focus, Windows+DOWN restores or minimizes the window. See my Windows 7 shortcut articles on examiner.com.
I didn’t knew that there was something like this in Windows 7! Its Cooooool ;P
Thank you very much guys, this is of great help. I have recently bought a new laptop, didnt know abt some of these features. Thanks again. Katherine : Just one question, you might knw dell studios dont have the Pause Brk key, any alternative to that ??
WinKey + Space combination would be great if your boss was comming to your desk when playing Texas Holdem online at 9:30AM
Does anyone know any setting to change alt+tab feature only to view icons in windows 7 (Now it shows thumbnail + icon).
Very helpful tips for Windows 7! Thank you!
yahoo…finally i get the fantastic tips on win 7..thanks dude
..really appreciate your workk
ricordo che se si tiene premuto il tasto “WIN” (× FLIP 3D)/”ALT” (× quello “delle miniature”) tenendo × 1-2 secondo e dopo toglierli subito rimane fermo basta tenere i tasti “d’attivazione” (Win – Alt) se vuoi andare avanti tieni sempre premuto TAB e × andare indietro clicare insieme il tasto “MAIUSC”
hi, I’ve just tried this, It’s cool
And I’ve found that with SHIFT button you can view it slow motion.
Press:
CTRL+WINDOWS+TAB
or
WINDOWS+TAB
And press SHIFT when scrolling
While your in Flip 3d, you can also use the scroll wheel on the mouse to change windows, as long as you have a mouse and not a touch pad.
Or just use your mouse and click on the window you want.
WINDOWS + TAB then mouse click on a window. Great when you have a couple dozen windows open and don’t want to scroll.