Using Flip 3D

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated November 9, 2015)

If you like the Windows Aero features, you'll be glad to know that the Flip 3D functionality introduced in Windows Vista still exists in Windows 7. Flip 3D is a fancy way to cycle through all of your open windows. It's similar to Alt + Tab but with a 3D flare.

By holding down the Alt key while pressing the Tab key, you can preview each of your open windows sequentially. However, by holding down the Windows key while pressing the Tab key, your open windows are presented in three dimensions. By continuing to press the Tab key you can rotate through the windows until the one you want is on top, at which time releasing the Windows key will make it the active window. If you don't want to cycle through all of your windows, simply clicking the one you want will make it active.

Since Windows 7 doesn't have an icon for Flip 3D (as Vista did), you can create your own shortcut to invoke it. Right-click on an open area of the desktop and select New | Shortcut from the resulting Context menu. For a shortcut location, type the following:

C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe dwmapi #105

Click the Next button and enter a name for your shortcut (perhaps "Flip"). Click Finish and you can now drag your new shortcut to the Taskbar. When you click it, Flip 3D activates. You can Tab your way through the windows as before or click the window you wish to work in.

 This tip (12647) applies to Windows 7.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

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