Command-Tab Problem

I had a small problem and was wondering if I could get some help on it. Whenever I push command-tab to switch applications it only changes the bar up top but the application doesn't show. For example if I am in iTunes and want to switch to Safari using just command-tab then the only thing that changes is the top grey bar switching from iTunes to Safari. I always thought this was how it was done until I was at a Apple store earlier and found multiple macs there brought up the whole application instead of just the top part. I'm sure its a setting I am missing but I wanted to know if anyone knows how to fix this?
Thanks a lot.
Matt

My PB G4 Just started doing the same thing. I have no idea why.
What seems to work to fix it though is to use cmnd-tab-shift to go back to the other application and then it starts working again.
But that ***** and apple should tell us of a way to fix it.

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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

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.

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).

Command-tab keyboard problem

Hello. Has anyone had their keyboard stop responding to typing (though command-option-esc still works) after they switched between programs using command-tab? It doesn't seem to matter which application I try, after using command-tab, my computer doesn't like to type anymore.
Any input?
Kurt

My PB G4 Just started doing the same thing. I have no idea why.
What seems to work to fix it though is to use cmnd-tab-shift to go back to the other application and then it starts working again.
But that ***** and apple should tell us of a way to fix it.

Dock not working; command-tab switch between programs not working

The Dock does not work. I have restarted (although the computer will not restart under "Restart", getting stuck at the last part, and needs to be restarted manually). When I change Dock preferences it reverts back to default settings. If I am lucky, the dock will appear and then disappear (poof) without having functioned.
The command tab function for switching between programs stopped working also.
The individual programs work, but I have to go to recent items to switch programs.
Further, I have two Previews open (with different documents in each) even though I have only one Preview program.
A whole lot of bizarre things that may be connected? I would appreciate any help.

You could try removing the .plist file again, but this time, try also removing the com.apple.dock.db file. Then log out and log in again.
Also, it seems as if many people are having similar problems. See [this thread|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9126119].
So, does the problem persist with another user account?
If it were my machine, the next thing I'd try is downloading the combo updater from Apple's website and reinstalling it. 10.5.6 is available [here|http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10-5-6_ComboUpdate].

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 is autolooping

When I use command+tab to switch programs the focus is circling through the open programs by itself (I'm not holding tab - only command). I can't get it to stop and hovering with the mouse over the desired program only makes the loop start over from that point. I have the same problem using Witch for switching between application windows.
This problem first occured today and I now have to wait for command+tab to circle through all programs in order to get the timing right when to release and switch to the "right" program.
/Krypto

Now I am really stumped. After running Disk Repair (from my Tiger DVD), Permission Repair and cleaning the cache I thought I had fixed the problem. I rebooted and everything work fine...for all of 95 seconds - then BAM cmd+tab just starts to loop everything again. The only thing I did after rebooting was look at apple.com and cnn.com (none of which should cause this). The only other thing running is a sync of my .mac account. I am truly flustered since it works fine and then goes back to this auto-looping stuff without me doing anything or even opening any programs. I normally would not care this much, but it is very difficult to time the program you want to switch to when it loops as fast as it does.

Dock and command tab function

my dock mysteriously has disappeared and will not show up on the bottom of my screen. my command tab function to move between applications does not work either. i just installed the latest update for mac os but it hasn't fixed the problem. any advice?

Start by running the two basic checks provided by Disk Utility's "First Aid" tab to make sure the file system & system permissions are OK. (You can ignore SUID warnings in the permissions check.)
If that doesn't turn up anything, try creating a new user account for testing purposes. If the problem goes away in the new account on its first login, it implies some user preference file is corrupted or an incompatible or corrupted login item is present in your normal account.
If that turns up nothing, try Mac OS X: starting up in Safe Mode, then log into your normal account. If the problem disappears it implies something mentioned here is or was the culprit. (Some problems are fixed by a safe boot, others require more work.)
If any of these steps reveals a problem, don't go to the next one until it is resolved. If you need more help determining what to do about any revealed problem, please post a description of it & list any steps you have already taken that had no effect. If you can resolve the problem, please post a description of what you did as well. (Others will benefit from your experience, good or bad.)

Command, Tab option not showing all open applications

Hi,
Just upgraded to Mountain Lion and now when using the combination of Command+TAB not all open applications are displayed.
This seems like a bug or am I missing something

I want to add to list as having same issue... Even core Apple programs not showing up (Safari, iPhoto) in Command Tab. But Mail, iCal do show up in Command + Tab. Also noticed that only some applications "minimize window into the application icon", while others get minimized to bottom right of Dock. Additionally no "Show indicator lights for open application" appears for those missing programs. I attempted to select-unselect both of those in the Preferences -> Dock options and restart a few times, with no success.
The same programs missing from Command + Tab are also missing a graphic icon in Dashboard view (only Application Name appears).
Issue is new to OS X Mountion Lion, I did not have that problem before.

Dock is missing and unable to command+tab thru programs

Hey there, i'm running a powerPC G5 - and one day my dock just disappeared. Not only that but i found that i am now no longer able to "command+tab" thru the active programs.
Is there a problem w/ my finder?
My current system is 10.4.11
Thanks

Try creating an new admin user account in System Preferences Accounts pane. Log out and log in to the new account. Does the problem also recur under that different account?
If not, there is something wrong in your usual user account.
If it does recur, problem is in your overall system.

Keeping Active Window in Application top when Command-Tabbing

Let's say I'm working on several documents in Word while using a page from Firefox as a reference point. I'll type something in Word in one document (let's call it document A), Command-Tab to Firefox, look something up, then Command-Tab back to Word, expecting document A (the active window when switching away from Word) to pop up back in front of me. Instead, when I command-tab back to Word, another random window in the app is active, forcing me to Command-` until I cycle back to Document A.
This has become very annoying and time consuming; can someone please tell me if there's some kind of setting I need to flip on to make sure that the active window in one application will still be on "top" when I Command-Tab back to it?
Please don't suggest Witch unless it's the absolute only way to solve this. I gave it a try, and its reliability was very wishy-washy. Sometimes apps would show up, sometimes they'd completely disappear for no reason. I'd prefer to use something reliable.
Thanks in advance.

Hi,
Is this only happening in word? I've been using the tab function and don't have a problem, which suggests that it may be a setting in word.
DM

Command - Tab shortcut not working

My command - tab shortcut stops working after a random period of time and I have to restart my MacBook to get it working again. Any idea what could be causing this keyboard shortcut to fail? I tried killing and re-running the Dock but that does not fix it. A refuse to reboot my Mac everytime it happens (this is not Windows...) Any ideas on what might be causing the problem?

Actually I just researched this further and found a solution here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1830738&tstart=0
+Open the activity monitor and look for something like the "ScreenSaverEngine" - the process should be marked as "not responding" (written in red)+
+End this process and Command+Tab and other shortcuts will work again!+

Command + Tab is not working

Starting today, the Command + Tab function is not working (this usually allows you to switch to another application with ease). I have tried changing the settings under "System Preferences," "Keyboard and Mouse," "Keyboard Shortcuts," however I have had no luck in doing so. When I click command + tab, all it does is switch from one text box to another on the same page, for example, it would switch from wherever I am on the page to the "Google" search box in the top right corner. If anybody could please help that would be great. Thank you so much.

Hi Kelbertou, and a warm welcome to the forums!
If you're using Safari check Safari>Preferences>Advanced to see if you have Press Tab to Highlight each Item on a Web Page checked.
Have you tried the other Command key+TAB?
If that doesn't help, I think you should get Applejack...
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/19596
After installing, reboot holding down CMD+s, (+s), then when the DOS like prompt shows, type in...
applejack AUTO
Then let it do all 5 of it's things.
At least it'll eliminate some questions if it doesn't fix it.
The 6 things it does are...
Correct any Disk problems.
Repair Permissions.
Clear out Cache Files.
Repair/check several plist files.
Dump the VM files for a fresh start.
Trash old Log files.

Command tab not working on MacBookPro 13

command tab is suppose to create a dock with currently active programs (it does) and it is suppose to allow one of the choices to be brought to front (it does not).

cmc75074 wrote:
I highlight FINDER (or AM) and release command, nothing happens.
If you have no Finder window open/hidden you will see no active window come forward, it will however make Finder active: Do you see Finder in the active menu on the upper left.
.. regarding TWO command keys. Are they treated differently?
They are not treated differently. They are mechanical in the sense they work independent of each other, in other words is it a key problem?

Command-Tab Problem

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