Xfce Forum

zebisnaga

Member

Registered: 2022-12-30

Posts: 46

random alt tab behavior

Hi everyone,
I am having a weird behavior on the alt tab menu.

When I have multiple files open if I alt tab i expect that hard to remain the same, however that order change every time I navigate to a new window.

Is there a way to have always the same behavior?

eriefisher

Wanderer

From: ON, Canada

Registered: 2008-10-25

Posts: 746

Re: random alt tab behavior

I'm not sure I understand the issue. alt-tab is for switching between running applications on the current desktop/workspace. I'm not sure what determines the order in which they swtich. For files such as in mousepad or switching directory tabs in Thunar you can use ctl-pg up/dn.

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I AM CANADIAN!
Siduction
Debian Sid
Xfce 4.20 with Wayland/Labwc

zebisnaga

Member

Registered: 2022-12-30

Posts: 46

Re: random alt tab behavior

I'm not sure I understand the issue. alt-tab is for switching between running applications on the current desktop/workspace. I'm not sure what determines the order in which they swtich. For files such as in mousepad or switching directory tabs in Thunar you can use ctl-pg up/dn.

Lets say I have multiple programs open (firefox, ide, calculator, thunar) and I am on Firefox.
If I Alt+Tab to my IDE my IDE opens and if I do again alt tab i want to have firefox as the first option however this changes.

Sometimes its the calculator, other times is thunar and so on

eriefisher

Wanderer

From: ON, Canada

Registered: 2008-10-25

Posts: 746

Re: random alt tab behavior

Like I mentioned, not sure what decides the order but it will continue from where it left off in the cycle. You could try a feature request.

---

I AM CANADIAN!
Siduction
Debian Sid
Xfce 4.20 with Wayland/Labwc

kwizzz

Member

Registered: 2024-11-10

Posts: 32

Re: random alt tab behavior

A single Alt+Tab should bring up the previously focused window. Maybe focus follows mouse is enabled? Or maybe the IDE is disturbing this last recently used order?

zebisnaga

Member

Registered: 2022-12-30

Posts: 46

Re: random alt tab behavior

A single Alt+Tab should bring up the previously focused window. Maybe focus follows mouse is enabled? Or maybe the IDE is disturbing this last recently used order?

Ye I have focus follows mouse, thats probably the problem right?

kwizzz

Member

Registered: 2024-11-10

Posts: 32

Re: random alt tab behavior

Yeah, if you move the mouse, it will change the focus, thus also affect the order of recently focused programs.

Just give it a try and see if your issue has gone.