FastWindowSwitcher

A fast window switcher for Windows using labeled windows.

FastWindowSwitcher is a window switcher/task switcher for Windows 7 and Windows 10. It is optimized for fast keyboard usage and can be used as an alternative for ALT-TAB.

How does it work?

1. Look at the window title or taskbar button of the window you want to go next.
2. Press the label hotkey (default Win-Y). Now all selectable window titles and taskbar buttons will be labeled with a key
3. Press the desired key. This window is now selected.

Features

• Window switching with labels (keys)
• No more Alt-Tabbing through a lot of open windows
• Access every window via 'Shortcut + Key' no matter how many windows are open
• Last used windows will be labeled with easy to press keys from the middle of the keyboard ('f','j',...)
• Optimized for key board usage
• Multi monitor support
• Support for second panel under Windows 7 via Dual Monitor Taskbar
• Works with Windows 7 and Windows 10
• Portable: no installation needed, no changes to the system, no dependencies
• Sourcecode check with static code analysis: PVS Studio, Cppcheck, VS Studio Code Analysis

Download

Current Version 0.2.0.0

Installation

Unzip FastWindowSwitcher-xxxx.zip to any location. Run FastWindowSwitcher.exe. The default hotkey to show the labels is Win-Y (optimized for a German keyboard layout). The hotkey can be changed in the setting dialog. The settings dialog can be accessed by the tray icon context menu.

Help-Page

Hints

• For easy access of the taskbar buttons the taskbutton grouping should be turned off in the Window panel settings.
• It is not possible to click the labels with the mouse. FastWindowSwitcher is keyboard only.
• If you want to start FastWindowSwitcher with Windows create a shortcut to FastWindowSwitcher.exe inside the Windows Autostart folder

License

FastWindowSwitcher is released under the GNU General Public License 3

Changelog

Changelog.md

Contact

Jochen Baier

Background/Similar programs

FastWindowSwitcher is based on the idea of vimfx/Vimium browser plug-ins to use a label to mark a location you want to go next. During development i found HerbiClicker, but i was not able to get this program into a working state.

Reviews in english

• softpedia.de: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/FastWindowSwitcher.shtml
• ghacks.net: https://www.ghacks.net/2017/09/17/fastwindowswitcher-alt-tab-alternative-for-windows/
• gotowebsites.info: http://www.gotowebsites.info/2017/09/fastwindowswitcher-tool-will-find-solution-windows-using-the-keyboard/
• technewsdir.com: http://technewsdir.com/fastwindowswitcher-alt-tab-alternative-for-windows
• Video (Breaking News 24/7): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JTtnbjOaeM
• trishtech.com: http://www.trishtech.com/2017/09/fastwindowswitcher-quickly-switch-to-any-open-window/
• windowsreport.com: http://windowsreport.com/alt-tab-alternatives/

Reviews in german

• chip.de: http://www.chip.de/downloads/FastWindowSwitcher_123246949.html
• chip.de Video: http://www.chip.de/video/Mit-FastWindowSwitcher-pfeilschnell-ueber-den-Desktop-navigieren-Video_123257937.html
• xcomputer.site: http://xcomputer.site/2017/09/18/fastwindowswitcher-alt-tab-alternative-fur-windows/