RSS Feeds
Open New Windows via Command-Tab
Posted by Gina Trapani at 9:00 AM on April 26, 2008
As Windows user, one of the strangest things about Mac OS is a running, active application can be in focus without any actual windows open. If you use Command+Tab to switch between apps and don't want to get stuck in no-open-window limbo, use the following key sequence to open a new window on your way there: Hold down Command+Tab, then press Option, then release Command. It doesn't work for all applications, but it does for Safari and Terminal at least.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
rychdom
Posted 9:20 AM 26/4/08
Hey Gina...
This also works with windows that have been minimized to the dock.
rychdom
FizzyPopMan
Posted 10:09 AM 26/4/08
Nice tip. It's fiddly at first but comes quickly with practise!
FizzyPopMan
madcow3417
Posted 10:30 AM 26/4/08
Or the slightly less awkward and always useful, command-n.
madcow3417
nad
Posted 11:47 AM 26/4/08
I'm getting old, I'll never remember that one. How do people find this stuff??
nad
Arsenal6
Posted 2:16 PM 26/4/08
yeah it not really easy 2 hit all 3 keys when i use thumb & 4th finger 2 cmd + tab
Arsenal6
mw2006
Posted 12:51 AM 27/4/08
What a sweet tip. I'm a big Mac fan, but this is one of their biggest short-comings. Great find though!
mw2006
Wess
Posted 3:21 AM 27/4/08
I think everyone may know this but me, but, i tried this and clicked ctrl+tab and it went through my tabs in firefox.
Wess
bobba
Posted 1:24 PM 27/4/08
@mw2006
I've always found this to be a bonus and found it very odd having to have a window open in windows XP for the program to be running. Command-n is, as previously noted the way to go.
bobba
NewPerfection
Posted 6:34 PM 27/4/08
@mw2006 and @bobba: I always liked that feature in the Mac OS. I always thought it was stupid that in Windows that you have to have a window open for an app to stay open. What if I want to leave something in my browser downloading without having to have a window open? Can't do that in Windows unless you're using a program that specifically has that functionality (FireFox doesn't have that standard, and neither does IE).
NewPerfection
keebOo
Posted 9:15 PM 27/4/08
HI, I'm in tiger, but i think is valid also for leopard:
keep pressed CMD key:
- press tab (more time to select different app
- press shift-tab (change direction)
- press Q (quit the current app selected by tab)
- ..after the first TAB you cna use also the mouse pointer to select the app instead pressing tab
... very useful, I use it all days.
:)
keebOo
keebOo
Prolific Programmer
Posted 8:37 AM 28/4/08
To switch back, CMD-` also works once you're CMD-tab is active, within most apps, CMD-` switches between windows.
Prolific Programmer
harrysaysyes
Posted 12:09 PM 26/4/08
use the application, "witch"
[www.manytricks.com]
harrysaysyes
CarlosT
Posted 9:14 AM 26/4/08
Gina, I think you meant, "As a Windows user". As always, great article!
CarlosT
Tylas
Posted 5:55 AM 29/4/08
For another way to make a window appear for Finder, Terminal, and others that won't work with this trick is to Cmd-Tab to the prog you want, let go to have it active in the top panel, then hit Cmd-N for a new window. Works for virtually everything, even if you have an active window up and you need another.
Tylas
Klink258
Posted 9:42 AM 29/4/08
I only Command + Tab for when I [i]don't[/i] want to open a new window. If I want to open a new window, I just click the dock icon of the app, but I guess this never takes your hands off the keyboard.
Klink258
BurkePulcher
Posted 12:26 PM 30/4/08
Comment on Open New Windows via Command-Tab Very useful! You can also grab a file and, while selecting it, drop it on an icon in your command tab list (instead of the dock) to open the file in that app. I find this easier than bringing the icon all the way down to the bottom of my screen for the dock's icon. Also, recently featured I believe on tuaw.com is using the option key while launching a file or application from Finder. It'll simultaneously close finder and open the file (so as not to leave excess finder windows running around for no reason). I love Mac. I'm so happy to have switched. =) Cheers ad
BurkePulcher
mrngoitall
Posted 8:34 AM 1/5/08
Anyone know what the app is on the far right? It looks interesting.
mrngoitall
Tim Faulkner
Posted 10:41 AM 2/5/08
@mrngoitall: It's Pyro, a desktop app interface for the web-based chat application Campfire by 37Signals who also make Backpack and Basecamp. If you aren't already using 37Signals's productivity apps, Pyro won't be much use.
Tim Faulkner