Command-Tab switcher missing apps

Many, many times every day when I do a Command-Tab to invoke the app switcher, running apps are missing from the list of icons. Usually it's the one I last was in, and want to get to.
This really cramps my productivity. Happens to anyone else? Any fix?
Also, I thought the app icons in the switcher were supposed to be in decending order of last use. At least that seems to be the normal pattern. But very often recent apps appear in the middle or the end of the list.
This has occurred on several Macs, from 10.4.3 to 10.4.5. Is the app switcher just not working right?
Thanks!
  Mac OS X (10.4.5)  

I have noticed a pattern to the missing icons bug when doing a Command-Tab to bring up the Application Switcher (usually the missing icon annoyingly is the previous app one was in, precisely the app to which one wants to go):
If one does a Command-Tab twice in succession, the second time the missing icon returns.
PowerBook Pismo 500   Mac OS X (10.4.5)  

Similar Messages

  • Can I change the order of applications in the command-tab switcher?

    I recently replaced my old computer running 10.5 with one running 10.8. It's a small thing, but irritating: in 10.5, when I hid an application, it would be bumped to the back of the switcher list, but in 10.8, the list is purely chronological in order. For example, if I hide Chrome now, a single command-tab would bring me back to it, rather than to the most recent non-hidden application, which is what I'd prefer. Again, I realize it's a small thing, so if there's nothing I can do about it, oh well, but I figured I would check.
    Thanks for any help!

    Sorry there is no way to accomplish this.
    The heads-up screen has no modifiable behavior other than it basic default for quick switching between apps.
    Tab forward
    Tilda backwards
    mouse on any app

  • 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].

  • Disable command-tab and/or kill dock

    Hello,
    Is there a clever terminal command or a simple hack that will disable command-tab switching between apps? If not, can I kill the dock completely to regain the ability to use command-tab in QuarkXPress?
    This keyboard shortcut conflict is driving me nuts trying to stay productive in Quark. The PullTab haxie is not Leo-friendly yet, so I need a solution ASAP.
    Thanks!!!

    There is no way to disable command-Tab that I am aware of. Can you assign a new key combo to quark's command-tab feature?

  • App switcher (command-tab) disappears

    At random intervals my app switcher will misbehave. Sometimes it reuses to show at all when I press command-tab, although the app switch still takes place. Sometimes it will show on screen but there will only be one or two apps in the list even though I may have 10 open.
    Anyone experiencing this?
    10.6.1. Been doing it since my initial install of 10.6.

    How random? Can you work in Safe Mode for a while to test? (It will take more time to startup in Safe Mode because it runs a directory check.)
    -mjfor a while to test?

  • Command Tab not pulling up open windows from Dock

    Sorry if this is covered elsewhere, though I have looked:
    Using Command-Tab to invoke Application Switch is very helpful. However I have an issue with iCal and with AddressBook sometimes. If they have an open window, minimised to the dock, it does not jump up on switching. Other apps do; just switching with command-tab to that app pulls up the most recent window. With iCal/AddressBook, it switches to the app; but the window remains in the dock and needs a click before it jumps up. Which kind of negates the app-switch in the first place, if you need to follow through with a mouse-click as well.
    A similar question was asked here:
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1424140
    Thanks for your help.
    PowerMac G4 2x1G MDD; PB G4 1G   Mac OS X (10.4.3)  

    Alastair,
    I believe that behavior can be attributed to any application with one minimized window. I get around that limitation by using the Hide feature. For example, just use the Address Book>Hide Address Book (⌘+H) command instead of Minimize (⌘+M). Using Apple + Tab will then open the Address Book application window as you would expect.
    You can use the Keyboard to access a minimized window, but it is not convenient. (Control + F3) will give you access to the Dock. Then use the arrow keys to navigate to the Dock icon of your choice and hit enter. That action will open the application or window of your choice. Esc will cancel the keyboard action.
    ;~)

  • 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 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

    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

  • Filemaker Pro 6 Command Tab function in OS X

    Hi ~
    I'm operating on two computers. I have OS 9 on one and OS X on the other. I have Filemaker Pro 6 operating on both units.
    On the OS 9 computer, I can use the command tab function to go back and forth between files in the program. On the OS X machine, command tab switches programs (between Filemaker, Safari, iTunes, or whatever else I have running).
    Do you know how I can use the command tab function in OS X and stay within my Filemaker program?
    Thanks!
      Mac OS X (10.3.9)  

    Trying the L7700 Series software didn't help me. I tried several things and eventually got it working again by doing the following (it would stall out after printing a couple inches of the 1st page of a print job). I'm not sure if all of the steps were necessary, but I believe so. 1) I "Restored" the driver for the K550 from my Time Maching backup, by opening the window in User--->Library--->Printers (search for that Printers folder if Library is hidden in your User folder), going back a few months to find a driver that hopefully would work.(I could have also found a driver from my Mac OS 10.6 hard disk partition) 2) I added the K550 printer (connected via USB) in System Preferences---->Print & Scan, by clicking on the + button at the bottom of the list of current printers (I have a big list). It should show up in the list of connected or networked printers. 3) Select HP OfficeJet Pro K550 4) Select "Print Using: Select Printer Software 5) Look for and select the name of the HP Officejet Pro K550 dirver in the list of printer drivers (name can be typed in the Filter search field). Click Ok, which brings you back to the "Add Printer" window. Then click Add.
    Notes: 1) I also restarted once after I restored the driver from my Time Machine backup. 2) I had first deleted the Officejet Pro K550 printer from my list of printers when this problem first cropped up, thinking I would just reinstall it as I would have done before Lion, with the problem hopefully fixed. I then (re-Adding the K550 before trying the above step) let Lion attempt several times to download the driver from Apple's web site, but it couldn't find the 6 year old printer's driver, which is why I had to resort to this.

  • Why won't my command-tab work?

    I have a new MacBook Pro. Some of my shortcut keys won't work - like the Command-Tab (switch applications) and the Command-Accent (moving among windows).  The Command-A,Z,X,C and V work fine.  I've read some aboult plist files in the Library.  Can I/Should I delete them all?  What will I have to restore (customizations?) if I do?  Is there another way to solve this problem?  Other Command shortcuts don't work as well.

    Hi suzique15,
    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!
    There may be a few different troubleshooting steps I would recommend in this situation. Please read over and use the attached article for troubleshooting this situation with your enter key.
    One or more keys on the keyboard do not respond - Apple Support
    Best regards,
    Joe

  • 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.

  • Command-tab pop-up list of apps switches monitors

    The command-tab pop-up list of apps switches monitors sometimes on my two-monitor system. Why? Why doesn't it always appear on the monitor with menubar specified in Displays preference panel? How do I switch it back when it moves to the wrong monitor? Very annoying because I can't figure out why it moves to the other monitor in the first place!  (actually running OS X 10.9.4 -- not Mavericks -- but you don't seem to have a community for OS X 10.9)

    That unfortunately doesn't work. I just tried it. For the last couple minutes, the command-tab app list has been appearing on my "main" monitor (the one I selected in Display prefs to have the menu bar). When I click in my "secondary" monitor to highlight its menu bar and then type command-tab, the app list still appears on the main monitor. Doesn't make a difference whether I click on the desktop background or a Finder window or an app window on the secondary monitor, when I hit command-tab the app list still appears on the main monitor. And all of that is OK. I'd like to have the command-tab app list ALWAYS appear on the main window.
    The problem is that sometimes the app list switches to the secondary monitor and I don't know why. And after that happens, I can click all I want on the main monitor -- desktop, Finder window, application window -- and the app list still appears on the secondary window when I type command-tab. I'll give up trying to make it switch to the main window and then, at some point, I'll notice that it has switched back to the main window. I can't figure out why it has this behavior, which seems to be random. Or at least I can't figure out what to do to make the pop-up app list return to the main window.

  • Pressing Command+Tab no longer 'switches' among open apps

    i press the Command+ Tab keys and I can see all open apps. but when I switch among these open apps....nothing happens. In other words, the window of the app I select does not show.  I used to be able to 'switch' among them. Why no longer works?

    Thanks for your suggestion.
    I'm a fairly seasoned Mac user (going back to Mac Plus in 1987) and have tried my usual 'bag of tricks' to resolve this issue. However, nothing works including comments from CNET on deleting some prefs. What did work is my starting up from a week old clone of my internal hard drive stored on an external disk. The external worked flawlessly using the app switcher.  So, something happened in the past week. It could be the newest update to iTunes or a Mac 'security' update. I just don't know. What I'm going to do is sit on the fence like a bird and watch the community. Others are having this issue and eventually Apple will figure out what is going on and resolve it with yet another update.
    Or....worst case scenario, since the problem is not that serious, I'll wait a month or two for Lion and solve it with an install of a totally new system.

  • Using command tab for application switcher no long cycles through all apps

    Using command tab for application switcher use to work as it always has before Lion, and did in Lion for a few days. Now it stops at the last app. It always use to keep cycling through through all the apps. I figure I did something, but cannot figure out what. I have tried old tricks like force quitting dock using Activity Monitor, but that didnt work. Tried restarting, repairing permissions, and a new user account. I will great appreciate anyones help with this.
    Thanks,
    Mark C.

    I was going to post my experience about application switcher as well, but i have the opposite problem: in SL it never worked, but now in Lion it does. Since I upgraded by installing over Lion, I'm assuming there must be a setting somewhere for this behavior. There is a place for setting keyboard keystrokes, looking there may help.

  • Command   tab - app windows not at the forefront

    I used to be able to speed through my apps, but now for some reason when I switch to another application, I have to click on the window in order to make it active (i.e. if I copy something from safari and command+tab to word to paste it, I can't just immediately follow it with the paste key combo).  I don't know when this started up, but I think it may have been with the latest mountain lion update.  Anyone else having this issue? Is there some setting I don't have setup right?

    bump

Maybe you are looking for