Improved Alt+Tab behavior with Mod+D (keep holding the Alt key until Mod key is released)

Configuration question
1

The default Mod+D binding to Alt+Tab (window switcher in Windows) only works occasionally for me, possibly because Windows sees that the Alt key is not being held long enough. Normally, I’d continue holding the Alt key as I look at the windows I’m switching to.

I’d like to have the Alt key held for a bit before the Tab key is sent, and continue to be held until the Mod key is released, possibly while other keys are sent. E.g. pressing D again should send another Tab without releasing the Alt.

Is there a clean way to do this with a macro?

2

That’s weird. The default Mod+D has always worked fine for me on a UHK60v1, v2, and UHK80. It works exactly the same as Alt+Tab. I can hold Mod & repeatedly tap the d key to switch between windows…

What version of Windows are you on?

EDIT:
I just realized that it only works when held if you have the Mod layer set to “Activate”; if you have it set to “Toggle” the layer, it only acts briefly, as you mentioned. I usually set my layer switchers to “Activate” and “Lock layer when double tapping”.

3

Search for “sticky modifiers” in the Reference Manual; I think there might be a solution with that. I’m terrible with macros, so that’s the best I can do. :sweat_smile:

4

I do have it set to “Activate”. Definitely hit and miss compared to using the standard ALT+Tab. I have the UHK60 v2.

5

Hmmm… I’m interested to see what others have to say.

You say it “only works occasionally” for you, but I don’t recall it ever missing a beat for me. Rock solid here. :man_shrugging: I hope you find a solution, because Mod+D is so much more comfortable than Alt+Tab. :face_with_diagonal_mouth:

1 Like
6

We’ve never received any reports about this, so it’s probably a host-side issue. Please test it with other computers / operating systems and connect your UHK directly to the computer. Some applications may also interfere.

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7

First thing is to try to set the keystroke delay (in Typing behavior) to 10 ms.

Then think whether you have some software installed that may intercept and modify the keys - these may very easily be confused by rapid report bursts, as they don’t expect them - like auto hot keys, macs karabiner elements, or something like that.

If all fails, then try this macro:

pressKey sLA
delayUntil 50
pressKey tab

(I haven’t tested it, and since macro-controlled sticky modifiers are a very niche thing, I am not sure if it works as it should. Let me know if you actually decide to go this way and it doesn’t seem to work as expected.)

4 Likes
8

Keystroke delay to 10ms made all the difference, thank you! I had tried that, but I was too conservative using 2ms.

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9

Glad you got it straightened out!
I was going to ask about your keystroke delay, but when I drop mine down zero, it still works fine. :man_shrugging:

I do suggest keeping the keystroke delay set to 10ms in Windows though, as some apps can’t keep up with pasting text from macros, etc.. Windows Notepad is especially bad on my system.