Window Switcher

Every window, with a live preview

One shortcut shows every open window as a live preview on a glass panel, the previous one already selected. Keep holding to move, type to filter, and let go to switch, or tap it to jump straight back. Close, minimize, quit or snap from the switcher, turn on Dock previews to see an app's windows when you hover its icon, and let it take over ⌘Tab if you like.

What it does

  • Live previews of every open window
  • ⌥Tab by default, or ⌘Tab if you prefer
  • Type to filter while you hold the shortcut
  • Optional window previews when you hover the Dock
  • Close, minimize, quit or snap from the switcher

How to use it

  1. Add Window Switcher from Settings, Droplets and allow Accessibility, which it needs to list and switch windows.
  2. Hold ⌥ and press Tab. Every open window appears with a preview, the previous one selected. Keep holding and press Tab or the arrow keys to move, Shift to go back, and let go to switch.
  3. Type while you hold the shortcut to filter by app or window title. Esc clears the filter, then closes the switcher.
  4. Turn on Dock previews to see an app's windows when you hover its icon in the Dock, and click one to bring it forward.

Where it shows up

  • Global shortcut

Workflows

Jump back and forth between two windows

Tap the shortcut without holding. It switches straight to the window you used before, the way the app switcher does, without showing anything.

Tidy up from the switcher

Select a window and use its buttons to minimize or close it, or open its menu to quit the app or, with Window Snap on, snap the window into place.

Make it your only switcher

Turn on Replace ⌘Tab on the Shortcuts page, and ⌘Tab opens Window Switcher instead of the app switcher.

Tips

  • Allow Screen Recording for live previews. Without it, each window shows its app's icon, and windows on your other Spaces are not listed.
  • Previews are taken once, when the switcher or a Dock preview opens. Nothing records the screen in the background.
  • Minimized windows, hidden apps and other Spaces are listed and labelled. Each has its own switch under Windows, beside Current display only.
  • Change the shortcut on the Shortcuts page. It needs ⌘, ⌥ or ⌃, and ⌘Tab itself is set with Replace ⌘Tab.

Getting it

CategorySystem
SetupTurn it on and allow Accessibility. Screen Recording adds the live previews.
Where to turn it onSettings, Store, or open it in Droppy if the app is installed.