Blurry icons in Cmd-TAB Application Switcher

Hello.
As I constantly use the Cmd-TAB app.switcher, it kind of bothers me that one specific application keeps showing a blurry icon (probably resized 128x128 instead of the 512x512). I know this is a known buggy behaviour since Leopard, but it should often be OK after a restart.
Mine doesn't, and what's even stranger : in another user account the icon works fine every time I launch this application.
Resetting the PRAM didn't work. Could the problem be some cache file ? If so, how to resolve it ?
TIA

Create a new admin user account, log into it, launch a few apps, CMD+tab, and see if looks normal. If so, open the new user's Preferences folder, make a list of those files, log back into the mucked up user account, move those same plist files to an empty Desktop folder, log out and back in, and see if that fixes things. If so, then delete the moved files and reset the preferences for the things on the list.

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Why has cmd-tab has stopped switching between open applications?

why has cmd-tab stopped switching between open applications?

Have you tried rebooting your machine? Are you multitasking and running out of RAM perhaps? Reboot the machine and check to see if it works again.
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http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343

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I think I saw Adobe Photoshop behave that way.
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Hitting ctrl-fn-f4 works well (thanks) but the order of the files does not change depending on usage. something the current cmd-tab does.
Quickly swapping is enjoyable when you can swap back and forth between 2 files.
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While scrolling, the flow of files stopped after le last Word window.
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Make switching apps (Cmd-Tab) skip hidden apps?

Prior to using Mac OS X 10.8, I used 10.6.8. In that version of the OS, and probably all the previous ones, I was used to hidden apps being moved to the right end of the apps list used by Cmd-Tab when switching from one app to another. When hidden apps were moved to the end, they were less likely to be selected and unhidden. It also meant that after an app was hidden and moved to the end of the list, a simple press of Cmd-Tab to switch to the previous app would not select the hidden one (unless it was one of only two apps running).
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Is there some way to get the Mac OS X 10.6 functionality back that moves hidden apps to the end of the list?
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A B C D
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Application switching on a shared screen

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Is it possible to use Cmd-Tab to switch between apps on the remote computer by using some preference or keyboard shortcut,
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Is there another way to easily switch between programs besides clicking the dock icon, which can be frustrating on a slow connection (it's like playing a game... which icon am I gonna get when I click...?). Admittedly, I have a LOT of icons in the dock, and use the Genie animation to expand them as I roll over the dock icons.
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It depends on which application has the current focus when you CMD Tab. It's easy to click on the local desktop which switches focus to the local finder still leaving the remote screen apparently on top. In this case the CMD tab switches locally. Anytime the Screensharing app has focus it should switch the remote machine.
Regards,
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Cmd tab graphics are corrupted! but why?

When I use cmd+tab to switch applications, I have been getting the following, for a few days now:
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This happened to me last night too.
I was also having problems with my iphoto thumbnails too though. But I'd been having this problem for a while. I rebuilt all my thumbnails, and restarted my computer.
After the restart, the cmd+tab icons got fixed!

Cmd+tab not functioning correctly

CMD+Tab to switch windows works correctly when i am trying to switch windows within the same desktop space.
However, it does nothing when i choose an application window running in a different desktop space.
I am on the latest update 10.10.3
Everything was working fine and still works fine, when i do a restart. However, it suddenly stops working. I havent figured out what is causing the switch to fail.

Ok. Small correction. The restart doesnt help. It simply doesnt work - across desktop spaces. within a desktop/space, it works fine.

Can I make Cmd-~ behave like Cmd-Tab?

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thanks

Alternatively, you can go backwards: Cmd-` cycles through windows one way, Cmd-~ (i.e., Cmd-Shift-`) goes the other direction. You can jump back and forth between two windows by alternating with the shift key.

Keyboard shortcuts to Dashboard, Application Switch not working

I think other people are having a related version of this problem! After a certain period of time after starting or restarting the computer (perhaps whenafter the computer goes to sleep?) the keyboard shortcuts for Tiger, F9, F10, F11, and F12 don't work, and neither does Cmd + Tab to switch between applications. What is going on?

I've not a solution, but for what it's worth I have a TiPB, a MacBook Pro, and two Quicksilvers running Tiger and have not experienced your problem. Not to suggest the problem doesn't exist, but perhaps it's related to something specific with your computer. You might try booting into safe mode to see if the problem ceases. If it does, then it's related to something safe mode disables. Another thing you can try is to create a new test user, then log out of your normal account and log into the test account. If the problem disappears, then it may be related to a bad preference file or something running in you normal account that isn't in the test account. It could also be a problem related to a corrupted cache file. Use one of the several utilities around for cleaning cache files.
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Problems with Application Switching

Alright, first off...sorry for being a noob. I'm trying to do the Command-Tab application switch thing but the problem I'm having is, as I continue to hold down the command key, it switches from application to application by itself. I'm reading that it should only switch to the next one when I tap the tab key, but this is not the case. In fact, it switches so quickly that it's kind of like a game, trying to stop on the program I want. A rather annoying game mind you What the heck am I doing wrong?!?!

You may want to uninstall, then reinstall Logitech Control Center. The latest download for Mac can be found here. The download includes LCC Uninstaller for removing any existing version of LCC.
As FYI, I've stayed "back level" on LCC: I'm running 2.0, but the latest version is 2.1.3. I'm seriously considering switching from LCC to Steermouse for the reasons that follow.
Unfortunately, after version 2.0 Logitech started including the free developer version of Unsanity's APE (Application Enhancer) framework, known as APE Lite, in LCC. They've done this to implement certain functions in their new Revolution-series mice. I neither use nor recommend any Unsanity code. While some people love their interface hacks, I recommend avoiding them: they've often proved problematic, especially after Mac OS X Updates.
APE underlies virtually all Unsanity interface hacks. APE Lite is embedded in many third-party apps, such as some third-party menu bar extras, and even some commercial code, e.g. LCC. In such cases, you'll find APE or APE LIte has been installed without your knowledge. To check this, examine the process list in Activity Monitor for the aped process (APE daemon). If aped is running, then either APE or APE Lite has been installed on your Mac.
Besides the often problematic nature of Unsanity's interface hacks, a potential security exposure was recently identified with APE: see "MOAB-08-01-2007: Application Enhancer (APE) Local Privilege Escalation."
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The chmod command noted in the Unsanity blog post, i.e.
chmod g-w /Library/Frameworks
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Secunia Advisory SA23649 rates this vulernability "Not Critical." I disagree with that assessment, especially given the exploit that the MOAB folks posted.
I'm not changing the permissions on my /Library/Directory until Apple makes that official. However, Unsanity may have a point w.r.t. other utilities being able to leverage the same privilege issue.
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Unsanity also provides uninstall instructions for APE here. Another set of uninstall instructions for APE can be found here. However, APE LIte is required for the latest versions of LCC an any other third-party app that depends on APE / APE Lite functions.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

Command-Tab App Switcher doesn't work (related to corrupt .plist file error?)

Hi folks,
The other day, Drive Genius 4 reported on a file corruption: ~/Library/Preferences/System Mac.plist file. I tried to find the file but it didn't appear to exist.
Today, a strange phenomenon occurred which I think may be related. Strangest thing. I was using Safari, had several tabs open when, suddenly, I lost all input to any links in Safari and system wide as well, other than the cursor being able to move around the display. This dysfunction also included the Command-Tab App Switcher, though they keyboard text function still worked. I could enter text in fields.
I tried Force Quit Apps but I had to shutdown and reboot using the Power button. The reboot seemed to remedy the situation and most controls and keyboard functions returned except for the Command-Tab App Switcher.
In Safari, I used History/Restore Last Open Page, and when the searched for pages came up, they were blank - I was informed that there was no internet connection. Wi-Fi showed still on but grayed out, which could be logical. Also, this is when I noticed that the key repeat function wasn’t working. In System Prefs, I did manage to change the key repeat rate, which accelerates the backspace erase function but there is no key repeat, itself.
All of this, of course, might be pointing to that system file error. Whether it is that hidden Mac.plist file corruption I don’t know.
In any event, first thing I did was to run Permissions Repair. At one point, about 2/3rds of the way in, the progress bar hung for a few minutes and then finished the last third in a split second. In the Repair Permissions log there was no /Mac.plist file among those repaired.
Additionally in Sys Prefs, I tested for Tab key response by refocusing the radio buttons in the Full Keyboard Access option under Keyboard/Shortcuts panel from "Text boxes and lists only" to "All controls.” The refocus worked because now pressing Tab does move the cursor through every control. But still no Command-Tab App Switcher. In Spotlight, I did find the App Switcher.app but it would not open, because it is “Damaged or Missing.” App Switcher preferences are also not accessible.
In Terminal I changed directories and do see the /Mac.plist file under discussion. I suppose I could -rm the file but I’m reluctant without knowing more about what other anomalies might result. The App Switcher is one of the Mac’s best utilities (thanks to er, Microsoft.) If the /Mac.plist file will refresh from the current status, no problem, I would think.
Has anyone experienced anything like this? Any suggestions? Thanks a whole lot in advance for your time and consideration in this!
All best,
David

First, get rid of the worthless, time-wasting "Drive Genius" according to its developer's instructions. Never install any so-called "utility" again.
Don't waste time repairing permissions again, either, unless you have an indication of a permission error involving system files, which you don't and probably never will.
Never delete any file in the shell (Terminal) for any reason.
There is no built-in application called "App Switcher." There is no built-in file named "System Mac.plist" either.
If command-tab application switching still doesn't work after you get rid of "Drive Genius," see below.
Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
Step 1
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.
Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”
While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your documents or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this behavior; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.
Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?
After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.
*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.
Step 2
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
Please take this step regardless of the results of Step 1.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.
Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of Steps 1 and 2.

How to switch between 2 windows of the same application using Cmd+Tab

Hi,
I am using my mac now since about 10 months. I was used to work with Linux and Windows XP.
Something I am badly missing on mac os x is the possibility to switch between 2 windows of the same application using cmd + tab just like it simply works for Linux and Windows (and maybe many other OS out there!).
Very often I have 2 text files open in 2 editor windows (e.g. TextEdit) and need to copy and paste text from one window to the other. I was used to simply use ALT+TAB. But here I have to get my right hand away from the keyboard and use the mouse to change the focus from one window to the other and then use the mouse again to get the focus back to the previous TextEdit windows.
THIS REALLY *****!!!! It makes me crazy. I cannot believe that such a "modern" OP does not support this action. I must be doing something completely wrong or did not understand the mac correctly. Right?
Does anyone have an idea how I can get mac to do something all other operating systems so easily do?
Thanks
Quartz84

Hi Kappy,
well what you are saying is obvious to me. This is not the point for me and not what I wanted to know. But I think you answered my question anyway: OS X is unable to switch between windows of the same application as I mentioned in my example.
WHY NOT???
Every other OS is able to differentiate between windows and not just applications.
Another example: The Mail application and an Email editor window. When you are writing an Email and you want to switch to the main window of the Mail application to read something you must again use the mouse!
I mean Apple seems to be "somehow" using FreeBSD in the background and even in FreeBSD's window manager it is possible to switch between windows of the same application.
Well, in the Apple world it is always the pour user who is not intelligent enough to understand Apple's philosophy ;-(
To me this is not modern, it is simply a weakness of the OS.
Cheers
Quartz84

App switching (cmd-tab) and Expose stop working

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I'm having the exact same problem. I think it may be somehow tied to the new update of itunes (9.0.1) because when I try to cmd+tab after open itunes it activates tabbing within the itunes fields.

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