It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
General discussionAlt/Tab - Windows Key, same on all systems?(5 posts)solved(5 posts)solved
(5 posts)solved
Pages:
1
This is my favourite topic
Posted January 15, 2020
My keyboard has a windows key (btm left, between Ctrl & Alt). I noticed a few years ago that this minimises a game and gives me the desktop for internet, excel etc. A second press gives me the game again...with SOME games.

I have two questions
1) is this windows key the same as using Alt/Tab which I often see mentioned?

2) I know it works with some games not others, not sure why. If it is game specific, is it worth starting a thread with a list of games that do allow it (or don't).

It could have system dependencies, so may not be worth doing, as in it could work on my system but not someone elses.

My specs are
Win 7 Home Premium
i7 - 4790
8GB Ram
Nvidia GTX 1050Ti

Oops, 3rd question...
If WinKey / Alt Tab didn't work on a game, could I use Ctrl/Alt/Del to get the desktop, do something there, then open the game again from the task bar?

Explanations for an oldie please. I know what I know, but not much else.
This question / problem has been solved by dtgreeneimage
Posted January 15, 2020
avatar
bonzer: My keyboard has a windows key (btm left, between Ctrl & Alt). I noticed a few years ago that this minimises a game and gives me the desktop for internet, excel etc. A second press gives me the game again...with SOME games.

I have two questions
1) is this windows key the same as using Alt/Tab which I often see mentioned?

2) I know it works with some games not others, not sure why. If it is game specific, is it worth starting a thread with a list of games that do allow it (or don't).

It could have system dependencies, so may not be worth doing, as in it could work on my system but not someone elses.

My specs are
Win 7 Home Premium
i7 - 4790
8GB Ram
Nvidia GTX 1050Ti

Oops, 3rd question...
If WinKey / Alt Tab didn't work on a game, could I use Ctrl/Alt/Del to get the desktop, do something there, then open the game again from the task bar?

Explanations for an oldie please. I know what I know, but not much else.
1. Not quite; Alt-Tab lets you switch to a different program, while the Windows key will open the start menu. (At least how that works on Windows and major Linux desktop environments.)
2. It might depend on what else is running. Alt-Tab is probably more reliable, especially if there are other programs running on the computer.
3. On Windows, you could use Ctrl-Alt-Del to get out of the game. Switching back into the game is best done with Alt-Tab once you're done, provided that the game is still running. This is, however, best reserved for when the game is misbehaving and not letting you leave it. (On Linux, the solution to a misbehaving here is to switch to a virtual console and kill it from there.)

Another thing of note: Some keyboards label that key differently. The official Raspberry Pi keyboard, for example, has a version of the Raspberry Pi logo there. Regardless of how the key is labeled, however, it acts the same (and yes, the Raspberry Pi keyboard should work on a Windows computer).
Posted January 15, 2020
1. The Windows key opens the Start menu. ALT+TAB cycles between all open windows. Either can potentially return you to the desktop while playing a game, but they do so in a different way.

2. Whether ALT+TAB or the Windows key works depends on whether a game is running in Exclusive Full Screen Mode and how the game handles Exclusive Full Screen. This article gives a good explanation:
https://www.howtogeek.com/181761/why-pc-games-struggle-with-alttab-and-how-to-fix-it/

3. Possibly, but doing so could also cause performance or stability issues when you return to the game. CTRL+ALT+DEL is more of a forceful interrupt than a graceful method of task switching.

Edit: My answers assume you're running Windows. DTGreene one-upped me with some Linux details too. :-)
Post edited January 15, 2020 by Ryan333
Posted January 16, 2020
1) No, ALT + TAB and ALT + SHIFT + TAB switch through windows. CTRL + ESC is the alternative to Windows key.
2) Could be useful.
3) Yes provided the game can go back to fullscreen by clicking it on the taskbar.
Posted January 16, 2020
Thank you to dtgreene, Ryan333 and Judicat0r for your replies. dtgreene got the solution for being first and thank you Ryan333 for the link.

I now have a better understanding of the difference between various shortcut keys. Though I'll probably forget.

There are three things I can never remember...


...make that four.

Thanks again.
Pages:
1
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionAlt/Tab - Windows Key, same on all systems?(5 posts)solved(5 posts)solved
(5 posts)solved