Get A Better App Switcher For Windows With Large Thumbnail Previews

By default, people use the Alt + Tab feature of Windows for navigating between open windows, applications and files. However, it can get a bit confusing if there are a lot of applications open on your desktop. For example, if you have 4 or 5 instances of Windows Explorer running at the same time, it might be hard for you to locate the one you want using the tiny thumbnails provided in the Alt + Tab menu. Managing all the open applications and being able to navigate through them is very important for efficiently using your time and energy.

In the Developer Preview of Windows 8, Microsoft has changed the way we switch between running applications by replacing the Alt + Tab window of Windows 7 with the Switch List. Previously, we have covered some very useful desktop management tools, such as an application called Plumb (reviewed here) that arranges the desktop windows automatically as you open them based on a user-specified criteria. Today, we have a simple, portable application for you, calledApp Switcher for Windows 7 Aero. It lets you easily switch between running applications and open windows by providing you with Aero-based full screen thumbnails. More on App Switcher for Windows 7 Aero after the jump.

App Switcher for Windows 7 Aero is a very basic tool and does not confuse you with a lot of options. That can come off as a very good feature, especially when you are working, as in such a case, you just want to get done with the project at hand instead of wasting time in configuring applications that are supposed to help you in saving time.

When you run the application for the first time, a full screen preview of all the open applications and windows overtakes your desktop. The applications are displayed side by side, and the ones that are not visible in the desktop can be accessed by moving the mouse cursor to the left or right of your computer screen. When you click a window, it will be maximized, and the focus will be switched to the selected window. To access the App Switcher for Windows 7 Aero again, move the mouse cursor to the top of your screen twice in quick succession (like a double-click but without actually clicking the mouse – just moving it). The application also supports moving of files and folders from one location to another through drag and drop.

App Switcher for Windows 7 Aero works on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Testing was performed on Windows 7 Ultimate, 64-bit version.