Alt-tab window won't stay on top of other windows in Windows 7

Question

WHen I do an alt-tab in Windows 7, if I don't constantly switch window (holding down alt and quickly clicking tab) it will go into Peek mode.  Normally, I would expect the alt-tab window to stay on top when the Peek happens, but, instead my little alt-tab window disappears behind the windows being brought forward by the Peek.  I can still cycle through the windows by pushing alt-tab, but my window has disappeared.  When I tried this on someone else's Windows 7 box, it didn't do this.

Answer 1

Go to Control Panel -> Advanced (or Advanced System Settings) -> in the section Performance click on "Settings..." button -> in the custom list of Visual Effects uncheck "Enable Aero Peek" -> click "Apply" button

Now the alt-tab window will stay afloat as long as you want.

Answer 2

I recently starting having this problem.

In my case, I've narrowed it down to the Windows Gadgets (i.e. sidebar.exe). Once I closed all my gadgets, the problem went away; alternatively, when I killed sidebar.exe, the problem went away.

Answer 3

Hi,

Welcome to Microsoft answers.

Which version of Windows7 are you running ?

I suggest you to update your display drivers, goto manufacturers website and download the latest drivers and install.

Also check use aeropeak to preview desktop, follow these steps:

1. Right click on your desktop.
2. Goto personalize.
3. On the left bottom corner click on Taskbar and Start Menu.
4. Check use aeropeak to preview desktop.

Let us know if you have any issues.

Thanks and Regards,

Azam - Microsoft Support.

Answer 4

OK.  I think I have the answer...I logged on to my computer with a different account and did not see the same Alt-tab problems I had before.  Assuming this was a profile issue, I logged in as an admin and deleted my profile (My Computer|Properties|Advanced System Settings|User Profiles|Settings).  I logged back in and don't have the alt-tab problem anymore.  You will end up losing a lot of your settings and don't forget to back up your desktop and Favorites, but, it works.

I would like to hear if this fixes the problem for anyone else.

Answer 5

this is not an answer to his question. i am also experiencing this problem.  I also have the latest available drivers.  win7x64 ultimate, 195.39 nvidia drivers (there is a slightly newer 195.62, but they dont change the issue and have other unrelated problems) (the system was working fine on the alt-tab notes until just today).  this is random and unacceptable behavior, and is a bug that clearly needs a fix.