Restore and Recover Window Switcher (Flip3D or Flip) Shortcut or Icon in Vista

Windows SwitcherWindow Switcher is an icon that sits on Quick Launcher bar on taskbar that when pressed, will open Windows Flip3D (if Aero is enabled) 3D dimension or Windows Flip (normal task switcher if Aero is disabled or not supported) to switch between windows.

In essence, the Windows Switcher shortcut in Quick Launch bar can be deleted and removed to save the space on QuickLaunch or taskbar for other important icons or windows, as users can always rely on “Windows Logo” button (or Start button) + Tab button keyboard shortcut to initiate Windows Flip 3D effect while switching window. Or users can press Ctrl + Win + Tab keys to activate and stay in Flip3D mode, exactly as what the Window Switcher shortcut does.

Windows Flip 3D

However, if you have deleted or lost the Window Switcher icon, and now want to recover or restore the Window Switcher icon or shortcut into the Quick Launch bar, here’s a simple trick to retrieve back the “Switch between windows” command shortcut. “Switch between windows” is description by Window Switcher’s tooltip.

Windows Vista creates and stores Windows Switcher shortcut (Window Switcher.lnk) for every single user profiles on the system. Thus users can copy the Windows Flip icon shortcut from Quick Launch folder of another user (typically the hidden “Default” user, which has less chance of been messed up with), or even copy the Window Switcher.lnk from another computer and place into the Quick Launch directory where the Windows Flip and Flip 3D icon is missing.

For example, to recover the Window Switcher.lnk shortcut from the “Default” user profile, follow these guide:

  1. Click on Start button, and type the following text into Start Search box, and press Enter:

    %systemdrive%\Users\Default\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

  2. Right click on Switch between windows shortcut, and then select Copy in the right click contextual menu. Alternatively, highlight Switch between windows and press Ctrl + C keyboard shortcut.
  3. Click on Start button, and type the following text into Start Search box, and press Enter:

    %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

  4. In the Windows Explorer window opened, right click on an empty area in the Quick Launch folder, and then select Paste in the right click contextual menu. Alternatively, simply press Ctrl + V keyboard shortcut.

Voila, you should now see a Window Switcher shortcut with correct icon and valid “Switch between windows” tooltip in the Quick Launch bar on taskbar.

Well, if all Window Switcher.lnk files has been deleted on your system, and you have no other PC to fall back to, simply download this windowswitcher.zip which contains Window Switcher.lnk file. Then follow step 3 and 4 above to place the Window Switcher.lnk downloaded into Quick Launch folder.

Share and contribute or get technical support and help at My Digital Life Forums.



3 Responses to “Restore and Recover Window Switcher (Flip3D or Flip) Shortcut or Icon in Vista”

  1. Max Zeller
    January 6th, 2008 19:33
    1

    Thanks; superb support !

  2. Vladimir
    July 22nd, 2008 07:08
    2

    thanks!!!!

  3. amit
    August 31st, 2008 05:34
    3

    thanx bro, its so simple to do so. thanx

Leave a Reply

You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

Subscribe without commenting


Custom Search

New Articles

Incoming Search Terms for the Article

window switcher shortcut - Window Switcher.lnk - lost windows flip 3d - restore flip 3d - flip and flip icon - windows switcher shortcut - restore switch between windows - window switcher icon - shortcut to window switcher - switch between windows icon recovery - how to restore flip 3d - Use Flip 3D to switch between open windows - switcher.lnk - how to recover shortcut icon - restore windows flip - shortcut for windows switcher - Flip 3D Windows Switcher in Vista - restore window switcher - "Window Switcher" shortcut - how to enable flip 3d quick launch icon for taskbar for windows vista - windows flip, icons - windows flip icon location - recover window switcher - restoring windows switcher - Windows Flip and Flip 3D icon - restore 3d flip windows - enable windows flip quick launch icon - my vista flip icon deleted - restore flip - restoring windows shortcut bar - vista how to enable window switcher - windows switcher feature how to recover - window.switcher shortcut - aero icon quicklaunch missing - how to add the windows switcher icon to quick launch - keyboard shortcut for flip 3d - lost window switcher in quick launch - lost window switcher in quicl launch - lost windows 3d flip - vista window switcher - what to do with Live menu lnk short cut - windows vista flip icon - window switcher shortcut download - Window Switcher.lnk virus - how to restore deleted short cut icon in windows vista - keyboard shortcuts to restore window - Lost Vista Flip 3D - recover windows switcher icon - restore switch between windows quick launch vista - switch between window icon aero -