Command-tab Finder + Spaces nuttiness

Hi Folks. New to Mac OS X Leopard (10.5.2) on a Macbook pro, coming from Windows XP. The command-tab switch feature on my Mac sometimes does something strange when Spaces is combined with multiple Finder windows, and I'd love to know how to make it work in a more intuitive manner.
Please tell me if you've experienced this: Sometimes when I switch back and forth from an application (e.g., Firefox) to the Finder with command-tab, the Finder window switched to is different each time - it seems to cycle through each window in each space. The only work-around is to use command-` .
Unfortunately, while writing detailed steps to recreate this, it went away. Drat!
Anyone seen this? Thanks in advance!
matt

Similar Messages

Command-tab, screenshot, spaces functions missing.

This occurs in tandem with a menu bar situation where the spotlight and bluetooth icon and one or two icons on the far left appear, but not the time, sound, monitor wireless etc.
Also I have to force quit everything and restart won't work so i have to hlld the power button down to shut the mini off.
Restarting usually helps
I'm running 10.5.6 on a 1.42 mini.

This occurs in tandem with a menu bar situation where the spotlight and bluetooth icon and one or two icons on the far left appear, but not the time, sound, monitor wireless etc.
Also I have to force quit everything and restart won't work so i have to hlld the power button down to shut the mini off.
Restarting usually helps
I'm running 10.5.6 on a 1.42 mini.

Spaces confusing safari windows (on multiple spaces using command-tab)

Wondering if this is happening to anyone else.
I love spaces but something is messed when using safari windows on multiple spaces. Say I have two safari windows open on two different spaces, after command-tabbing to another app when I try to command-tab back to safari it doesn't always go to my last safari window. That is to say that sometimes it goes to the other safari window, and sometimes it doesn't. It's super unpredictable.
Give it a try, open two safari windows on two different spaces and the command tab to another app and then command tab back to safari - and repeat... you'll find that it will just randomly go to the other window, and then back etc.
Can't think of anything more annoying in spaces... that's got to be a bug.
Anyways, let me know if it's happening to you.
Jay.

same issue. i have multiple safari windows with multiple tabs on multiple spaces. let's say one space is a rails space; so it has some terminals, safaris, firefoxes, all perhaps with 2 or more tabs. command-tab does not necessarily go back to the window of the app i was just in. whether it's safari or firefox or whatever. this is horribly un-intuitive. come on apple. that's like your thing, right?

Command Tab to Finder doesn't work

Hi All,
I've seen a few other posts with this problem, but the suggested fix didn't work for me. The problem is that after some period of use when using Command-Tab to switch to the Finder the Finder windows do not come to the front. The Finder is definitely the active application because its menu bar is displayed. But the previous application's windows are still displayed. If I Command-Tab to the Finder again (going through all open apps) or click on the Finder's dock icon, then the Finder windows will come to the front. Similarly, if I'm working in some other application and try to switch to the Finder via the Dock, the same problem exists. I have to 're-select' the FInder in order for the open FInder windows to come to the front.
The one suggestion in another thread was to trash the Finder preference file. I did that and it didn't work. After a period of use the problem will return. The only way to fix it is to either force a relaunch of the Finder or reboot the machine.
Unfortunately a side effect of trashing the prefs is that another problem was created - now when I relaunch the Finder it doesn't remember what windows were opened and it only gives me one window with the top level of the computer displayed. Previously when relaunching the Finder it would bring back all of my open windows. So the fix didn't work and it made things worse.
FWIW the Command-Tab problem seems to occur after using Quicktime and/or Safari for a while. I can't be 100% sure that it's related but it really does seem like it.
Anyone have any suggestions for how to fix this?
Thanks,
Chris

One way to test is to Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, Test for action in Safe Mode...
PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive
Reboot, test again.
If it only does it in Regular Boot, then it is some 3rd party add-on, Check System Preferences>Accounts>Login Items window to see if it or something relevant is listed.
Check the System Preferences>Other Row, for 3rd party Pref Panes.
Also look in these if they exist, some are invisible...
/private/var/run/StartupItems
/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Command+tab only shows finder

So today I'm not sure what keys I accidentally pressed when I try to command+tab, now the only app that shows up in cmd+tab is Finder and nothing else. How do I reverse back to default? I've checked the settings under keyboard and I've found nothing yet.

Hi,
Do all other applications have a window opened? If they are minimized in the Dock, their icon will show when you Command-tab around, but they'll stay minimized. Maybe you triggered "Minimize all" by pressing Option/Alt-Command-M. Using F11 to display the Desktop is completely reversible.
Check here: http://superuser.com/questions/36504/minimize-all-in-mac-os (I know, I know, a disreputable site at best...)

Command-tab can't call finder anymore

Hi,
I really have a weired problem with finder since yesterday:
I try to choose the Finder using Command-tab. The result is that I see the finder menus on top of the screen, but none of the windows appear, which is really annoying. I usually recover the finder windows by pressing F9 and then click on them, but this is an additional step which slows down work.
Does anybody know how to solve this?
Gernot

A good place to start is to make sure your computer is in generally good condition by verifying your drive and repairing permissions.
[Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214]
[Using Disk Utility in Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302672]
[Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751]
From BDaqua:
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk.
Then Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes."
If that doesn't clear things up try removing your Finder preferences file so a new one is created. Look for com.apple.finder.plist in your user folder > Library > Preferences (not the main level Library, the one in your user directory/folder). Move this file onto the desktop or someplace other than in that folder. Restart your computer. If that works, fine, but you may have to reset some Finder preferences. If it doesn't you can move it back into the folder (an new one will have been created but you can replace it) in order to restore previous settings.

Mac OS X 10.5 Finder issues - Application switching via Command-Tab

I have been having problems recently, when I would switch apps using command-tab, some applications don't show up. I haven't noticed this before, while using the integrated graphics card, but have noticed it since using the discreet card, related?

I'm on a dual 2.7 G5 and I'm having this same issue - so I don't think it's the graphics card... not sure. Anyone have solutions? Or the same issue?

Command-tab issue

I'm not sure if it's a feature, but sometimes I press Command+Tab and only the icons for apps in that space show. If I let go and try it again, I get the whole list of apps open system-wide.
I've done some searching but can't find any answers. I sthis a feature?

guitar4542 - My question wasn't how to get the app switcher up, thanks.
Carolyn - I can't see anything in there for switching with command-tab at all. The basic feature I know, but this whole switching between apps that are only in that space is something that seems to be new, since Leopard has Spaces and previous releases of OS X didn't.

How to make a backup of your stuff? and Command+tab question

First of all, is there an alternative to using a different Command+tab button? OR the F3 button to switch between windows? A lot of times I have more than ONE safari window open and I want to Command tab but Command+tab won't show the OTHER safari sites open. I use the F3 button also but is there another way to ALT+tab to DIFFERENT safari/firefox windows like on the Windows OS?
I was just wondering if IN TIME, Mac's will start running slower (like PC's) as you put more programs in. I know from experience, even by just staying on trusted sites, in about 2+ years your windows vista/7 will be a little slower. How do I reformat a Mac (factory reset) and besides backing everything up on a DVD, is there a way to backup my files?
Sorry for these nub questions, I only had this for like a month xD

Welcome to the Mac world!
Mac OS let's you fully customize the keystrokes which you can quickly move between the windows you want. You will find these settings under System Preferences and Expose & Spaces under the personal area.
When you are in here, you can assign a different keys, or secondary key, to active the show all windows (what you are currently using as F3). Under the All Windows selection, you will see the default set to F3. Here you can change it if you would like, say assigning the right or left shift key to open the show all windows feature. In the box to the right which should be empty, you can even assign extra mouse keys (assuming you use an external mouse) to do the exact same thing, which I find makes your work-flow much easier. Play around with the mouse settings to get what you like (I use my mouse to show all windows when I press the scroll wheel). Hopefully this will be a sufficient solution to your needs. Have a look here for more keyboard shortcuts: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343
Regarding your second question, you will find that Mac's do not fall failure to the typical 'OS rot' that you see when using Windows in just a short year or two. The same goes for keeping your computer on for long periods. Where Windows will be noticeably sluggish after even a day or two of continuous use, Mac's can have an uptime of weeks without a drop in performance (a buddy of mine usually only restarts once a month unless the power flashes). You will likely only need to re-install the OS if something happens to the computer and it no longer functions properly. In this case, I recommend using Apple's build in Time Machine application (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427) however you will require an external hard drive. Time Machine takes a backup of your computer whenever you ask it and if you have to re-install the OS, it will restore everything to it's previous state.
Hope this helps!

Safari problem: when I switch back into safari from another application, the menu bar comes up but no tabs or windows. What's going on? Just started yesterday. I have found a workaround: when I Command Tab back to safari, I hit command T to open a new

Safari problem: when I switch back into safari from another application, the menu bar comes up but no tabs or windows. What's going on? Just started yesterday. I have found a workaround: when I Command Tab back to safari, I hit command T to open a new tab and Command W to close it, and my other tabs are visible.
I have tried shutting down, closing tabs, with no success. What's going on and how can I fix it?
Thanks,
Cindi B
PS: I'm not sure of the actual OS level, but I have not allowed it to upgrade to Maverick yet; concerned about it because of a few things I've read...

A Safari extension or third party plugin may be causing the menu bar issue.
From the Safari menu bar click Safari > Preferences then select the Extensions tab. Turn that OFF, quit and relaunch Safari to test. If that helped, turn one extension on then quit and relaunch Safari to test until you find the incompatible extension then click uninstall.
If it's not an extensions issue, try troubleshooting third party plug-ins.
Back to Safari > Preferences. This time select the Security tab. Deselect: Allow plug-ins. Quit and relaunch Safari to test.
If that made a difference, instructions for troubleshooting plugins here.
As for which OS X is installed.
Click the Apple () menu top left in your screen. From the drop down menu click About This Mac.
The version is noted there.
v10.6 Snow Leopard v10.7 Lion v10.8 Mountain Lion
It's your choice whether or not to upgrade to Mavericks. If you decide to do this, make sure your Mac meets the requirements noted here.

Default seetings for a (command-f) find?

Hello,
First off, I'm new with Tiger so I suppose my first question would be is doing a command-f (find) the same as using spotlight?
That being said, the search option box that opens when you do a (command-f) find—is it possible to set default search locations (ie. i'd like it to also check a network drive as well by default)?
Thanks,
Kristin.

First, yes command-F now uses Spotlight.
Second, there is no good way to change the default find yet. There was a long opinion piece on MacWorld recently (http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/11/15/spotlightanlaysis/) that details the rough edges of Spotlight as it is currently implemented which you might find interesting.
In any case, the closest you can currently come without a lot of work is using the Smart Folders feature to save a search with the settings you prefer. Then to search those settings again, you can open the Smart Folder and change the search value. (Use the "Others..." tab to select specific volumes for your search, btw.)
EDIT: BTW, I forgot to mention, there is a good Spotlight tips article linked off that first one I mentioned: http://www.macworld.com/2005/09/features/tigertips2/index.php.

Switching application shortcut problem (COMMAND+TAB) and (COMMAND+`)

Hello everyone
Since the upgrade Leopard i had a problem with the switching apps shortcut.
Once you start the switching apps forward shortcut (COMMAND + TAB), the switching apps Backward shortcut (COMMAND + `) won't work anymore. The only thing that make it works it to use (COMMAND + SHIFT + TAB) which is not good. It gives me cramp in my left hand! HA!
Anyways I check out petty much everywhere in the settings where I could find a customize shortcut for that. But I didn't find it. I also check if is was not an other application who was taking the same shortcut and it is not the case.
Can somebody help me on that one.
I know it is not a big deal but... still.
Thanks everyone
Benoit

Some applications allow you to set hotkeys (Quicksilver, a 3rd party app, is the example I used -- this is not included with OSX). I was thinking that perhaps some other application you have was using the hotkey cmd-tab and stealing it from the finder.
You can also change the 'meta' keys in the system 'Keyboard and Mouse' prefereneces (click on keyboard -> modifier keys) -- this maybe is confusing things if its not set to defaults.
There's also a 'keyboard shortcuts' tab under keyboard and mouse, look under there e and see if there's anything involving tab (by default there shouldn't be).

When I command tab from diablo 3, my mac changes to a non-retina resolution. But when I quit diablo, it comes back. what's happening?

when I command +tab from diablo 3, my macbook pro changes to a non-retina resolution. But when I quit diablo, everything comes back to a full retina resolution. what's happening?
Is this some sort of defense mechanism to save energy or space? I noticed that this only happened after I installed mountain lion. I didn't have this problem before.

I don't think Diablo is the problem. It is retina compatible. Its what happens when I use diablo then go to desktop, or any other application - it (the other application) appears a bit blurred. as if its using the 2011 macbook pro resolution.
It can be fixed by going to system preferences and clicking "display" then use "best for retina", but it wasnt like this before OSX mountain lion...

Command-TAB - How does this build the application list???

I have a need to enumerate the applications that have "windows", "icons", whether if they are minimized to the dock or not. I need basically the list of applications that Command-TAB brings you. How do you do this programmatically?
Everything I tried gave me everything, or just the applications that are NOT minimized. Drives me nuts. Tried CGWindowListCopyWindowInfo, NSArray *runningApps = [workspace launchedApplications], but I can't get to the filtering of the list I need - whatever Cmd-TAB brings you.
Help?

Hello,
I cannot reproduce what you say using launchedApplication.
NSArray *launchedApps = [[NSWorkspace sharedWorkspace] launchedApplications];
for (NSDictionary *app in launchedApps)
printf("%s is launched
",[[app valueForKey:@"NSApplicationName"]UTF8String]);
This gives me all launched apps that I can see in the comd-tab shortcut. If I use runningApplications then I get much more results (any app running even in background).
I minimized all windows of two apps: Preview and MacSoup as one is Cocoa and the other is not (well I think Preview is Cocoa): they where listed as well
{quote}
Finder is launched
Terminal is launched
WebKit is launched
Xcode is launched
Property List Editor is launched
Mail is launched
Trousseau d’accès is launched
Aperçu is launched
MacSOUP is launched
iTunes is launched
ResKnife is launched
MacVim is launched
TextMate is launched
Préférences Système is launched
Interface Builder is launched
AppList is launched
{quote}
That is the exact list I can see using comd-tab at the moment ..

Command+Tab question (coming from Windows XP)

Bought my first mac...a MacBook with Leopard.
I'm having a hard time getting used to the Command+Tab app switching functions, as I'm used to Alt+Tab in Windows. There's one particular scenario that's bugging me...
- Open a TextEdit document window. Menubar shows TextEdit.
- Open a Finder window. Menu shows Finder.
- Click back on the TextEdit window. Minimize that window to the right side of the dock (running apps/windows???).
- Click back on the finder window to make it the active app/window.
- Use Command+Tab to cycle through the open apps and stop on TextEdit. Menubar will show TextEdit, but where's my previous document? It's still in the right side of the dock. Is there any keystroke that can then cycle through the open windows within the current app (minimized or not), so I can find my document?
- I noticed that after that last step, after I've Command+Tabbed into TextEdit with no TE windows open on the desktop, even using Expose won't show me the docked document window. Must I use the mouse to pull that document window out of the dock???
Thanks!
Gary

AFAICT, yes. Either that or select Window->minimized document. I rarely minimize windows, so I don't know if there's a shortcut to unminimize those windows.
Since you're a newcomer to the Mac, peruse
Switching from Windows to Mac OS X,
Basic Tutorials on using a Mac,
MacFixIt Tutorials, and
MacTips Learning Centre.
Additionally, *Texas Mac Man* recommends:
Quick Assist.
Welcome to the Switch To A Mac Guides, and
A guide for switching to a Mac.

Command-tab Finder + Spaces nuttiness

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for