Transitioning from Mac to PC: Is there an expose-like feature? Your tips for coping with the transition?

September 22, 2009 2:00 PM

Transitioning from Mac to PC: Is there an expose-like feature? Your tips for coping with the transition?

There are a lot of Mac-specific (i think?) functions which greatly enhanced my ability to navigate through open windows and navigate my folders and desktop... namely, Expose. Any tricks to make my life easier at work now that I am on a PC? I'm even missing my mac shortcuts for locking my computer/turning it to screen saver with a macro or mouse movement.

I found a few good ones in this thread, like Windows+D, but any other tips would be helpful. I also use Outlook a lot if you've got tips related to that.

Thanks!

posted by NikitaNikita to computers & internet (16 comments total)

Windows+L will lock your desktop.
Which version of Windows are you using?
posted by reynaert at 2:23 PM on September 22

Locking is easy. Just hit Ctrl+Alt+Del, then Enter.

Vista and 7 have some Expose-like features. In 7, for example, alt-tabbing will actually show you the window you're switching to (unlike in XP). Not sure if Vista does this, but running Vista is pretty pointless now that 7 is out. Also, 7's "new" taskbar is pretty similar to the OSX Dock.
posted by neckro23 at 2:23 PM on September 22

(I forgot about Windows+L, since I have an ancient keyboard. D'oh!)
posted by neckro23 at 2:23 PM on September 22

MS has a list of keyboard shortcuts here.

Alas, I'm not aware of anything like Expose--the closest I can think of is one of the XP PowerToys (mentioned in the thread to which you linked) that shows a thumbnail version of the window you have selected, as neckro23 pointed out is in Windows 7.
posted by tellumo at 2:27 PM on September 22

I actually own BOTH a PC and a mac, though I grew up "PC". I had some experience with the pc-to-mac transition (tho i wasnt "converting", just becoming "bilingual").

To answer your question would help to know if you've moved to XP or Vista.
posted by jak68 at 2:29 PM on September 22

you can create shortcuts for shutdown or sleep (and then assign them to any keystroke). Just create a shortcut (right click the desktop, New, Shortcut):
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/shutcut.php

you can also assign the shortcuts (once created as above) to any of the four corners of the screen via this program:
http://download.cnet.com/LiveEdge/3000-2094_4-10914953.html

Here's a free Expose-like program for windows:
http://lifehacker.com/389203/dexpose2-like-mac-expose-but-better
posted by jak68 at 2:38 PM on September 22

feel free to pm me if you're looking for a keyboard shortcut to do something specific (or looking for a specific type of mac-equivalent program).
posted by jak68 at 2:39 PM on September 22

Launchy is a half-way decent app launcher.
posted by chairface at 3:05 PM on September 22

there's always alt-tab, too.
posted by Kellydamnit at 4:29 PM on September 22

If you have Aero Glass turned on, Window-Key + tab (or a click of the scroll button) will bring up what I think you are looking for.

(Go to display properties and advanced options and "enable desktop composition". This turns on Aero Glass and all the cool vista stuff. It actually renders the desktop in the GPU rather than the CPU.
posted by gjc at 4:40 PM on September 22

vista winkey shortcuts. You can also search for winxp winkey shortcuts (which should be similar).

win+F is like apple+space: opens search box; in vista this is an instant-program-search like in osx. If you have xp, just install either google desktop search or windows desktop search, and use it for similar instant-results-as-you-type search.
posted by jak68 at 6:00 PM on September 22

Seconding Launchy. Can't use a pc without it. Or I can but I prefer not to.
posted by backwards guitar at 6:06 PM on September 22

mac-like windows slide-out tabs

yet another mac-like 'hot corners' program for windows

move windows buttons to the left side, like on a mac

All are free programs.
posted by jak68 at 6:14 PM on September 22

Sorry, should have mentioned I have XP, not Vista. Thanks!
posted by NikitaNikita at 9:20 PM on September 22

Turn your XP machine into a Mac
posted by jacalata at 9:39 PM on September 22

I tried out a few Expose clones for Vista a while back. I think the best one is Switcher. It is actually better than Expose in certain ways.
posted by hAndrew at 11:31 PM on September 22