14 DAY TRIAL // Alt-Tab is one of the most used keyboard shortcuts for a great percentage of the computer users running Windows operating systems. Switching between programs is a child's play, but the looks of the standard Windows switcher can get really boring after a while. Add the fact that you can't customize or change anything with it and you get the need for a replacement as result.
Yesterday I saw that a new version of TaskSwitchXP Pro was released a while ago and since it wasn't reviewed yet...here it is! Before we begin, I must say that I've been using this at home for almost six months now and it didn't crash at least once or cause any compatibility problem. This takes care of the reliability problem, and now let?s check the features available in TaskSwitchXP Pro.
This handy little program is based on XP Visual Styles and was especially designed for Windows Xp/2003 (unfortunately for those running other Windows operating systems, it won't work on anything else besides these two that I?ve just named).
TaskSwitchXP displays small screenshots of the currently selected application in addition to its associated icon and caption. You can also display additional task info like running time, CPU time taken so far or memory used, just middle click inside the preview area. If it's easier for you to use the keyboard, you can try the F1 or I keys, the result is exactly the same.
Let's browse the Configuration options now.
The Appearance area allows you to choose the position on the screen where the switcher window will appear when used, enable transparency and animations or select the desired draw modes. There are six XP Visual styles and two Classic styles to choose from.
The Task List is also highly customizable; you can change the selection and text styles, text color or the list view settings. The application preview images can also be set to display the way you want them.
An option that may prove useful is the ability to set exclusions. If you get problems with some programs or you just don't want to have them displayed in the ALT+TAB window, use this.
What's more to know about TaskSwitchXP? You can change the program's hot keys or configure the tray icon's actions when clicked with one of your mouse's buttons.
Of course, you have to check all these for yourselves, but I am sure that you will like this program. TaskSwitchXP Pro is one of those programs that you may consider useless or use it without even the smallest problem, there's no other way.
The Good
TaskSwitchXP Pro is fast and has an outstanding graphics quality, while using less than 1MB of your system memory and almost no CPU resources. It has a useful Help file and it's highly customizable. There are over 20 languages available to use with this program.
The Bad
Unfortunately you don't have hundreds of interface presets to choose from...but apart from that I can't really find anything bad with it!
The Truth
If you can get a useful, nice looking item for free, what would you do? I see no reason for you, the reader of this review, not to choose this program. Get it, try it, and if you like it, keep it. What can you ask more for free?
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
