One of Vista’s most notable features is the Flip-3D for switching between open applications. A free program, called Shock Aero, has stepped up to offer similar functionality for Windows XP users!
Shock Aero will assign itself to the Windows+Tab hotkey (which is not customizable), and when that key combination is pressed the Vista-like Flip-3D will be initiated for your full viewing pleasure. You can then use the hotkey to flip through the windows just like with Alt+Tab, or you can use the scroll wheel on your mouse. There’s also a System Tray icon which will activate the Flip-3D when you left-click on it.
This isn’t really a configurable application, which you might see as a big downside. Really the only option that it has is switching between a Flip-3D window layout or a more Mac-like grid layout (often referred to as Exposé).
The best thing is that a portable version is offered that contains just the executable and a configuration file. You can therefor test this out without installing anything…gotta love that!
Shock Aero (for Windows 2000/2003/XP)
Source: Freeware Genius & Appaholic
Note: If Shock Aero sounds familiar that might be because we recently wrote about another free program created by the same company called Shock Desktop.
Tried it out.
Didn’t work. Didn’t do anything.
That’s weird, it worked for me without having to do a darn thing. Did you try clicking on the icon in the System Tray to launch it? Maybe the problem lies in the shortcut.
Question… I ended up with Vista Home Basic [Yeah, yeah, it sucks. I know.] and want the flip-3d functionality without having to upgrade…. are there any programs to do that?
Never mind… i tried the portable version to see if it worked and it seems to work fine.
Sweet.
This is a bad mimic of Flip3D. There’s no fit and finish and animations are ugly. Please stop recommending bad quality utilities.
Yeah, it should work well, but it doesn’t offer the Live Previews that Aero brings.
And actually Vista Home Basic isn’t all that bad. Personally I would pick Vista Home Premium, bu tif the eye candy wasn’t all that important then you might as well save the money.
Sure it’s not perfect, but it also doesn’t cost a dime. It’s one of those things that you get what you pay for.
It seems to be not working without a serial number?
Can’t find it anywhere…
It still appears to be free, you must not be using the right program?
briliant it works perfect i’d recomend it to everyone