Solved Strange application switcher

BGSH · Mar 3, 2009

Hey everyone,
Just discovered a bizarre application switcher from microsoft, somewhat similar to Apple's Expose.
Here's the screenshot

The thing came up when I clicked the mouse wheel. The mouse is Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 8000. Microsoft software that came with the mouse is installed. Checked the mouse buttons config, and it says that clicking the wheel brings up the Flip 3D.

But, since I use the basic vista theme with Aero disabled (like it more this way), there is no Flip 3D on my machine. When I enable the Aero, clicking the mouse wheel brings up Flip 3D.

Anyone got any idea what is this thing?
Actually i quite like it, because it is fast as hell, way faster and more useful than other third party "expose on windows" third party solutions I tried some time before.
I was wondering how to bring up this thing from my keyboard, but win+tab does nothing. As for now, only clicking the mouse wheel works.
Tried to google this, but didn't find any solutions. Any ideas?

Also, hi to everyone, fisrt post here.
Cheers!

Brink · Mar 3, 2009

Hello BGSH, and welcome to Vista Forums.

When Aero is enabled you get the Flip 3D affect. When it is not, you get the standard select open window instead. See the tutorial below to see if this is what you are seeing.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68863-flip-3d.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

BGSH · Mar 3, 2009

Thanks, but that was not of any help. Please click the link to screenshot to get the idea what I'm talking about.

Screenshot

Its not a Flip 3d, its not alt+tab. What is it?

Brink · Mar 3, 2009

No, that's definitely not Alt+Tab. I would have to say that you have some 3rd party program installed that is for this. You might check in Task Manager under the Processes tab to see if anything stands out that may the program responsible. Hopefully someone will recognize it and post to let you know what the program is. It's pretty nice though.

BGSH · Mar 3, 2009

I like it too, as this thing is fast as hell. Way faster than any third party Apple-expose-like programs. Nothing suspicious in task manager though. I think this feature is included in Microsoft mouse software (its Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 to be specific). It also includes magnifier and couple of other things like volume control bar, and caps-lock on/off notifier.

But - since this software is running no matter if I use the wireless mouse - Im sure there must be a way to use this feature using laptop's keyboard shortcut, not only the mouse. I will ask Microsoft and post here if they reply with anything useful on this.

Brink · Mar 3, 2009

Ok. I look forward to hearing about that feature.

Dwarf · Mar 3, 2009

Have a look at this http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/docs/we8k.html http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/docs/WirelessEntertainmentDesktop7000/index.html

Click on Innovation and then on the mouse click on the middle of the 3 available feature links. This is called Instant Viewer.

Ifonlea · Mar 3, 2009

Looks like I have had this too for a year or so, and either never knew about it or had forgotten.
You're right BGSH it's a great way to switch apps.

BGSH · Mar 3, 2009

Yeah, I was just about to post that this thing is calles "instant viewer"

When googling, I saw couple of folks looking for a way to remap this feature to keyboard shortcut, but as far as I know, there's no solution yet. Too bad. In my opinion this app is way more usable than alt+tab, not to mention that useless flip 3d.

I would love to see a standalone microsoft app for this, as third party solutions are buggy and too slow most times. Does Microsoft have a sort of user feedback website, or anyplace else so I can post this thing?

Brink · Mar 3, 2009

Nice.

Dwarf · Mar 3, 2009

This feature is already included in the mouse driver for many of the microsoft mice, including mine. You might just need to change the setting from the default, which is usually Flip 3D.

Brink · Mar 3, 2009

Yep, have it as an option with my wireless MS mouse to. :D

Dwarf · Mar 4, 2009

When running an application that switches the interface from Aero to Basic mode, the default operation of clicking the mouse wheel changes from Flip 3D to Instant Viewer.

Brink · Mar 4, 2009

I usually use the Middle Click option instead though.

Solved Strange application switcher

New Member

My Computer

My Computers

New Member

My Computer

My Computers

New Member

My Computer

My Computers

The Contemplator

My Computer

Technoholic

My Computer

New Member

My Computer

My Computers

The Contemplator

My Computer

My Computers

The Contemplator

My Computer

My Computers