It seems that in the Linux and Mac communities, Windows is often being bashed for what it doesn’t do while being criticized for having too much bloat.  While I won’t get into the latter claim, I will address the first.  There are, unfortunately, numerous areas where Windows is lacking.  Out of the box, at least.  KDE’s Dolphin file manager allows Linux users to enjoy a tabbed browsing experience within the filesystem for example, and Windows Explorer is lacking that feature.  The old Alt-Tab application switcher does not measure up to OS X’s Exposé, and Flip-3D isn’t much better.  Windows for some reason doesn’t support multiple/virtual desktops (AKA “workspaces”).

Fortunately, there are some quality third-party applications to fill those gaps (and some others) in the Windows user interface.  Best of all, they’re free.  No trials, no ads for “Pro” versions.  Free.

Application Switcher: Switcher

Tired of having to keep holding that Alt key while you tap on Tab until you find your application?  Flip-3D is nicer, but it’s form over function, let’s be honest.  It’s nothing more than a glorified Alt-Tab.  Plenty of eye-candy, and one new functional feature:  the ability to select a window by clicking it.  Wow.

Switcher assigns a number to each open window and allows the user to view windows contents (something Flip-3D attempts), but instead of having to cycle through or use the mouse to select a window, all the user needs to do is type the number of the desired window, and Switcher will bring it to the front.  Of course, one can cycle through if they so desire, but the added functions and hotkeys make it unnecessary more often than not.