Window Switcher
A fast, glassy switcher that cycles individual windows - not just apps - across every Space.
Window Switcher lives quietly in your menu bar. Hold your shortcut (⌥ Tab by default) and tab through every open window - across apps, desktops and full-screen Spaces - on a native glass panel that matches macOS. Release to switch. No cloud, no subscription, all on your Mac.
Why I built it
macOS’s built-in ⌘ Tab switches between apps, not windows. But I usually think in windows - the specific Chrome window, this Terminal, that document - and cycling to an app only to hunt for the right window drove me up the wall.
So I built the switcher I wanted: hold a key and tab straight to any window, wherever it lives - the current desktop, another Space, or full-screen. It grew a few things I now can’t live without - live previews, type-to-search, and a glass panel that looks like it shipped with the system.
— Ron
What it does
Hold-and-Tab switching
Hold your shortcut and Tab through windows; release to switch - just like Cmd-Tab, but per window.
Every window, every Space
The current desktop, other desktops, full-screen apps and minimized windows - all in one list.
Type to search
Start typing to filter by app name or window title - great when you have a lot open.
Live previews (optional)
Turn on thumbnails to see each window's contents, not just its icon.
Mouse or keyboard
Hover and click to pick a window, or switch straight from the menu bar list - no keyboard needed.
Your shortcut
Keep ⌥Tab or rebind it to any ⌘/⌥/⌃ combination.
Native glass
A frosted panel and Settings window that look and feel like part of macOS.
Filters & layout
Choose all Spaces or just the current one, show or hide minimized windows, and cap the grid width.
Private by design
No network, no accounts, no tracking - everything happens on your Mac.
Setting it up
- Download & install. Open the DMG and drag Window Switcher into your Applications folder, then launch it. Its icon appears in the menu bar.
- Grant Accessibility. macOS asks to allow Window Switcher in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility. This is required so it can capture your shortcut and bring windows to the front. The menu shows the current permission status.
- Press your shortcut. Hold ⌥ and press Tab to open the switcher; keep holding and tap Tab to move, then release to switch. Change the shortcut any time from the menu or Settings.
- Turn on previews (optional). Want live thumbnails? Enable Window Thumbnails in the menu or Settings and allow Screen Recording when prompted. It’s entirely optional - switching works without it.
Window Switcher uses a system-wide keyboard shortcut and reads the window list through macOS Accessibility - capabilities that aren’t available to Mac App Store (sandboxed) apps. That’s why it’s distributed here as a free, Apple-notarized download rather than on the App Store.
Need help?
Questions, bugs, or ideas — I read every message.
rons.apps26@gmail.comFrequently asked questions
How is this different from Cmd-Tab?
macOS’s ⌘ Tab switches between apps. Window Switcher switches between individual windows - so you can jump straight to a specific Chrome window or document without cycling through an app first.
How do I switch windows?
Hold ⌥ (Option) and press Tab to open the switcher. Keep holding Option and tap Tab to move forward (⇧ for backward), then release Option to switch. You can also use the arrow keys, or hover and click with the mouse.
Can I change the shortcut?
Yes. Open the menu bar icon → Change Shortcut… (or Settings) and press a new combination using ⌘, ⌥ and/or ⌃ plus a key. Reset to Default restores ⌥Tab.
It doesn't respond to my shortcut.
Window Switcher needs Accessibility permission. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility and make sure Window Switcher is turned on. The menu shows whether permission has been granted.
How do I get live previews of windows?
Turn on Window Thumbnails in the menu or Settings. The first time, macOS asks for Screen Recording permission (used only to draw the small previews, on your Mac). It is optional and off by default - switching works fine without it.
Does it show windows on other desktops and full-screen apps?
Yes. With All Spaces on (the default), the switcher lists windows from other desktops and full-screen apps, and switching to one takes you to its Space. You can limit it to the current Space, and show or hide minimized windows, in Settings.
Can I switch with just the mouse?
Yes. The menu bar menu lists your open windows - click one to switch to it. Inside the switcher panel you can also hover to highlight and click to pick.
Does Window Switcher collect any data?
No. It has no network access at all - no analytics, no accounts, no tracking. See the Privacy Policy.