Microsoft

Slideshow: How to add Flip3D to the Taskbar

By // April 22, 2011, 12:43 AM PST // markwkaelin

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  • Create a shortcut on the Windows Desktop

    Windows Vista had a graphical feature for switching between open applications called Flip3D, which was located on the Taskbar. However, for some reason that feature is absent from the Windows 7 Taskbar. If you like to get it back, all you have to do is create a desktop shortcut with a specific command and pin it to the Taskbar.

    Note: Flip3D is still part of the Windows 7 interface via a keyboard shortcut: [Windows key] + [Tab]. But by pinning a shortcut to the Taskbar, you will be able to get the feature with the mouse, which can come in handy if you aren't in a good position to get two hands on the keyboard.

    Create the shortcut

    To start, right-click on an empty part of the Windows Desktop, navigate to New | Shortcut as shown.

  • Type this command: RunDll32 DwmApi #105

    In the location box of the shortcut, type in this command:

    RunDll32 DwmApi #105

  • Name the shortcut Flip3D

    Click the Next button and give your new shortcut the name Flip3D, and click Finish.

  • Shortcut Properties screen

    Your new shortcut has a generic icon, so it is a good idea to give it an icon that has some meaning. Right-click the shortcut and navigate to the Properties configuration screen, as shown in. Click the Change Icon button.

  • Choose an icon for your Flip3D shortcut

    On the Change Icon configuration screen, browse to the Windows directory and select explorer.exe as your icon source. I used the Flip3D icon, but you can use any icon you wish. After you choose your icon click OK twice to close the Properties screen.

  • Flip3D a single-click away in Windows 7

    You should have a shortcut on your Windows Desktop that loads the Flip3D feature. To make the feature more useful, drag the shortcut to the Windows 7 Taskbar and pin it there as shown.

    Now, when you click your new Flip3D icon from the Windows Taskbar your open applications will fly up into a three dimensional flip book. Using the mouse wheel you can scroll through them and pick the one you would like to make active.

Create a shortcut on the Windows Desktop

Windows Vista had a graphical feature for switching between open applications called Flip3D, which was located on the Taskbar. However, for some reason that feature is absent from the Windows 7 Taskbar. If you like to get it back, all you have to do is create a desktop shortcut with a specific command and pin it to the Taskbar.

Note: Flip3D is still part of the Windows 7 interface via a keyboard shortcut: [Windows key] + [Tab]. But by pinning a shortcut to the Taskbar, you will be able to get the feature with the mouse, which can come in handy if you aren't in a good position to get two hands on the keyboard.

Create the shortcut

To start, right-click on an empty part of the Windows Desktop, navigate to New | Shortcut as shown.

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By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.