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View Full Version : Disabling a Windows "Feature"

Tog_
08-September-2008, 04:22 PM
I've recently decided that I really hate Alt-tab changing windows on me. Is there a way to disable this so that Alt-Tab can be used for other applications, like custom keybinds in a game?
Neverfly
08-September-2008, 04:51 PM
You can disable it using your regedit from Run in the start menu.
Open your registry editor, then navigate to the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Look for the file: Coolswitch

Value: 1 enable switching
Value: 0 disable switching
Tog_
08-September-2008, 05:02 PM
No joy.
Does it need a restart?
Neverfly
08-September-2008, 05:10 PM
No joy.
Does it need a restart?

maybe.

Try Googling it as a registry edit and see what you can come up with- I'll look in another book.
You are using XP right?:neutral:
Tog_
08-September-2008, 05:18 PM
Yes. (on XP) The only thing I've found so far is a downloadable utility that claims to expand the utility of the Alt Tab thing, with one feature among a dozen or so being to disable it.
Neverfly
08-September-2008, 05:20 PM
Yes. The only think I've found so far is a downloadable utility that claims to expand the utility of the Alt Tab thing, with one feature among a dozen or so being to disable it.

I wouldn't recommend that...
Tog_
08-September-2008, 05:42 PM
Yeah. My thoughts exactly.

So after a restart it's still enabled. DO I need to change the other CoolSwitch values to 0 as well (rows and columns)?
Neverfly
08-September-2008, 05:46 PM
Yeah. My thoughts exactly.

So after a restart it's still enabled. DO I need to change the other CoolSwitch values to 0 as well (rows and columns)?

oh!!

Right click and choose Change Dword value.
Then all you need to enter is either a Zero or a one.

Don't mess with the columns unless you've made a back up.
Tog_
08-September-2008, 05:53 PM
I don't get that option.
I get:

Modify
Modify Binary
Delete
Rename

If I move over to the value and right click I get "New" and I can create a new DWORD there, but that's it.

Also, not that I shouldn't have asked this at the very start...

How do I back up the registry? Where does it live?
Neverfly
08-September-2008, 06:01 PM
I don't get that option.
I get:

Modify
Modify Binary
Delete
Rename

If I move over to the value and right click I get "New" and I can create a new DWORD there, but that's it.

Also, not that I shouldn't have asked this at the very start...

How do I back up the registry? Where does it live?

Chuckle:p

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/registry.htm

Also- A quick look at Reg Tweaking:http://www.optimizingpc.com/optimize/registrytweaks.html
slang
08-September-2008, 07:48 PM
Try saving the single key to a file, before you change it.

This can be done using registry, export[..], and selecting the option for the current branch only.

Or copy the following to a file named "restore alt-tab.reg"


Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"CoolSwitch"="1"


That way you can restore the function quickly, in case you need it back. It does seem to need a reboot, or maybe a logoff/logon to active the change.