AltTabby puts a fresh spin on Windows’ Alt+Tab shortcut

In the pantheon of Windows shortcuts, Alt+TAB is one of the most widely used. Now, Stardock Software is giving it its own flavor with AltTabby, adding smarter grouping, custom layouts, and an improved search experience.

Stardock has already “fixed” other features within Windows: Start11 V2 reworks the Start menu, while Fences keeps your desktop tidy. Groupy 2 manages app windows like browser tabs. You might call AltTabby ($7.99 during its beta period) a twist on Groupy’s model, which already groups apps into tabs.

The one hassle that AltTabby appears to have immediately solved is the mess of windows that can dominate a typical PC workspace when you’re juggling several tasks. It can take valuable seconds to click-click-click your way through applications and browser windows until you find what you want. AltTabby lets you pin a window or application, which simplifies the process.

(AltTabby is a different effort from Alt-Tabby, another Alt+Tab replacement released on GitHub, a Stardock representative confirmed.)

Stardock also appears to have taken some visual cues from Apple’s own design language, specifically Cover Flow, when it comes to switching between applications. Users can switch between tabs using an icon view or Windows-like screenshots of the app in question. AltTabby also includes a search interface, so you can simply search for the tab you want.

Mark Hachman / Foundry

Plus, the Cover Flow-like view (at top) is just so dang sexy.

Stardock provided me with a free license to try out AltTabby, and my immediate reaction was, um, I’m not sure I need this.

I think that opinion might change, however. Alt+TAB, by default, is designed to be a simple swap between apps, and on the surface, AltTabby is simply too close to justify the additional cost. It’s the options that may hook me in, such as the ability to swap between windows of the same app though an Alt+ shortcut. AltTabby has a ton of options for those willing to invest the time as well as the money.

Mark Hachman / Foundry

I still think that the most productive way to use Windows, or any app, is through simple familiarity. However, if you think you’ll benefit from the increased configuration options AltTabby provides, give it a try — a trial option is available. After the beta period expires, the software’s 20 percent discount will expire as well, bringing the $7.99 price to just under $10.