A clever new app launching trick

And an Alt+Tab secret  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Windows Intelligence](#) [Windows Intelligence](#) Brought to you by: ​ The only constant in life is change. Still, Microsoft is usually pretty conservative about switching up the Windows interface. But Microsoft does experiment with new ideas that transform how you use Windows. They often arrive in Microsoft PowerToys first, so you'll have to go out of your way to find them. PowerToys is packed with tools that can change your Windows experience, but the latest is an especially interesting one — one that could save you a good chunk of time every time you sign into your PC. Scroll down to this week's Things to Try section for the details. [Chris Hoffman, AUthor] Chris Today's read: ⌚ 3 Things to Know: 1 minute ⌚ 3 Things to Try: 1 minute 30 seconds ⌚ Top Thurrott Thoughts: 30 seconds ⌚ Just for Fun: 30 seconds ​ [] [3 Things to Know This Week] ​ 1. Windows 11's next annual update will arrive soon ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Windows 11's next annual update will likely arrive in October, although Microsoft is being cagey about the exact date. This is the "24H2" update we've been talking about. 🔎 KNOW MORE: This next update has some nice changes, including names for the Cut, Copy, and Paste actions in the File Explorer's context menu, improved power management controls, and File Explorer upgrades. 📌 READ MORE: Check out [this guide to what's coming soon](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Taskbar alternatives are getting ready for the future ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Windows 11's taskbar is controversial. Since its release, third-party taskbar replacements have popped up to restore features like moving your taskbar to the left or right edge of the screen. Now, they're getting ready for the future. 🔎 KNOW MORE: These utilities have functioned by activating code buried in Windows 11. Microsoft is about to remove this code in the next Windows Update. But good news: ExplorerPatcher now has its own built-in taskbar replacement, meaning it will work on that 24H2 update. 📌 READ MORE: Learn [more about the update](), or check out [how to use ExplorerPatcher](. Cast your vote... ​[If Windows made it easy, where would you put your taskbar?](=)​ --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Microsoft quietly cancelled its Edge facelift ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: In early 2023, Microsoft announced an Edge interface refresh with a "sleeker, lighter feel" and lots of round edges. After more than a year of silence, Microsoft now says that refresh is now canceled. 🔎 KNOW MORE: This means that Edge will keep looking a lot like Google Chrome. It's a shame, as it would be nice if Edge had a cleaner look that looked more at home with the rest of Windows 11. Maybe Microsoft has something else in the cards. 📌 READ MORE: See [the news and canceled redesign](. SPONSORED MESSAGE PSA: Staying informed just got easier 👌 Does finding factual, unbiased news feel more like wandering around a maze, in the dark, shoelaces tied together? [Alice from Alice in Wonderland wandering around a giant maz]()​ You should [read 1440](). Written by humans, for humans, 1440 sends you 1 single email every morning containing the top news stories of the day on everything from politics and world affairs to sports, business and finance, tech, and even fun, feel good stories (you know you love those!). The best part? It’s written to be as unbiased as humanly possible. No fluff, no snark, and no spin — just the facts. No wonder more than 3.8 MILLION people rely on it to get the news! Hands down, it’s the easiest way to stay informed in just 5 minutes each day. For FREE. ➜ [Simplify your life and subscribe to 1440 in just a few minutes!]() [READ TODAY’S HEADLINES​ ➜]() ​ [] [3 Things to Try This Week] 1. Launch (and position) groups of windows at once Microsoft's new PowerToys Workspaces tool provides an easy way to launch groups of windows and position them just where you want them. You can create a single desktop shortcut that launches all your frequently used windows and positions them just where you want them. ➜ This fresh new PowerToy is part of the excellent and completely free Microsoft PowerToys package. Sound interesting? Give it a try! ⌚ You can create a workspace in under 20 seconds. 💻 This tool works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. 📌 Check out [my latest Computerworld column]() to see what this new tool can do — and how to get started with it. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Close windows from the Alt+Tab switcher The Alt+Tab shortcut isn't just a way to switch between windows. You can quickly close windows from here, too. ➜ It's a simple keyboard shortcut that just makes sense — but you may never think to try it! ⌚ You can try this in 2 seconds. 💻 This works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. First, press Alt+Tab. Then, press the Tab key to highlight the window you want to close — or use the arrow keys. Now, press the Delete key on your keyboard. Windows will close the highlighted window. This also works in Task View (press Windows+Tab to open it.) Plus, you can middle-click a window to close it in either view — just like how you can middle-click a tab to close it in your web browser, too. [The Alt+Tab switcer on Windows 11h] --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Show file name extensions and hidden files, the fast way Out of the box, the Windows File Explorer hides file name extensions and makes hidden files invisible. Want to actually see those file name extensions — and easily access hidden files? You can flip a few settings, and they're closer at hand than you might think. ➜ Back in the Windows 7 days, you had to dig into the Folder Options window to find these options. On Windows 11 and Windows 10, you can toggle these options on and off in a faster way. ⌚ You can change these settings in about 5 seconds. 💻 This works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. 📌 Check out [this quick new article](=) to find the options. ​ [] [Top Thurrott Thoughts] Some standout links and expert analysis from our friends at Thurrott, who have been covering Windows since 1994: - ​[Microsoft Confirms Rollout Schedule for Windows 11 Version 24H2 (Updated)](​ - Microsoft confirmed and then unconfirmed the date. - ​[Report: Intel Lost PlayStation 6 Chip Contract to AMD](​ - AMD has had this contract for more than a decade. - ​[A New AI Era Continues, For Better or Worse (Premium)]()​ - A clear-headed take on the AI hype. - ​[GSMA Pushes Mobile Industry to Make RCS Messages End-to-End Encrypted](=)​ - That would be nice. - ​[Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 is Now Available for Businesses](=)​ - An upgrade for the long-term support version. ​ SPONSORED MESSAGE *spits out coffee* Totally free?! Esper's ​[State of Device Management 2024]()​ report is the trusted source for all things fleet optimization, security, and YoY trends. [WATCH THE WEBINAR (NO EMAIL ADDRESS REQUIRED)]() ​ [And Just for Funsies...] Let's talk about Windows 9! Microsoft never released it. Why? Because 7 8 9. (Get it? Ate?) That's a common joke. But my favorite Windows 9 jokes are found in [this Cracked article](=) from 2015. (Yes, this is a deep cut!) Writing about Windows 10, the writer cleverly keeps alluding to Windows 9: The less said about the debacle that was Windows 9, the better. Later on in the article, after some dark humor, he writes: I'll admit to being relieved that Windows 10 returns to voice commands, which I find vastly preferable to the direct brain interface introduced in Windows 9, universally panned for the searing headaches it gave users. I seem to recall Microsoft being accused of using this technology to erase people's memories of Windows 9, but now I'm not so sure. Clever jokes aside, there's no official answer on why there was no Windows 9. It's possible the name is simply too similar to Windows 95 and Windows 98, which are often called Windows 9x. If I had to bet on it, I'd say that's a factor — and also that marketing is a factor, too. "Windows 10" is just a splashier name. But only Microsoft's marketing department really knows. That's the real reason why we see the "Why is it called Windows 10? Because 7 8 9" joke everywhere. There's no better answer! But I've always been amused by the joke that Windows 9 was so bad Microsoft erased our memories of it. Hey, if only they did that with Windows Millennium Edition! Until next time... Stay tuned: Between the new Windows 11 update and laptops powered by Intel's new Lunar Lake processors — both of which are almost here — it's sure to be an interesting few months for PCs. Take care! --------------------------------------------------------------- 📊 Last week's poll results: 50% of readers aren't planning on buying their next PC for two or more years. 26% plan on buying a PC next year, while 11% plan on buying a PC before the end of the year. 14% just bought one recently! 🗳️ ​If Windows made it easy, where would you put your taskbar? Be sure to [vote in this week's Windows Intelligence poll](=)! 🤚 Wait! Before you go: What'd you think of this issue? [Thumbs Up]( [Thumbs Down]() Hit the thumbs-up or thumbs-down to cast your vote and let me know. Want less email? [Update your reading preferences](=) to opt out of any individual publications or unsubscribe entirely. New here and not yet subscribed? Take two seconds to [sign up for our newsletters](): Windows Intelligence, Android Intelligence, or Cool Tools (or all three!). Hungry for even more? 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