STimer-appLauncher’nProcWndListTweak: Troubleshooting & Best Practices

STimer-appLauncher’nProcWndListTweak: Troubleshooting & Best Practices

What it does

STimer-appLauncher’nProcWndListTweak combines a lightweight app launcher (STimer-appLauncher) with a process/window list tweak (nProcWndListTweak) to speed app switching and manage active processes/windows more efficiently. Typical features:

• Quick-launch shortcuts and hotkeys
• Filtered process/window list for faster selection
• Optional auto-focus or cycle behavior
• Persistent profiles and simple config file

Common problems & fixes

• Launcher hotkeys not responding

  • Ensure the config file defines the hotkey and there are no global hotkey conflicts (check OS hotkey settings and other apps like clipboard managers).
  • Run the launcher with elevated privileges if it must intercept system-wide shortcuts.

• Process/window list missing items

  • Check permissions: some processes/windows (e.g., elevated or system services) may be hidden unless the launcher runs with higher privileges.
  • Verify the filter settings — overly broad filters can exclude windows; reset filters to defaults.

• Focus/cycle behavior skips windows

  • Reduce debounce/delay settings in the tweak if present.
  • Disable any “minimized skip” option if you want minimized windows included.

• High CPU or memory usage

  • Increase the refresh interval for the process list (lower polling frequency).
  • Disable visual effects or thumbnails in the list.

• Settings not saving

  • Confirm write permissions on the config directory/file.
  • Check for multiple config files (portable vs. installed) — edits may be applied to the wrong one.

• Conflicts with window managers or virtual desktops

  • Enable “respect virtual desktop” or similar toggle if available.
  • Test behavior with window manager compositing turned off.

Best practices

• Use descriptive profiles: create profiles per workflow (coding, meetings, media) with tailored hotkeys and filters.
• Assign app-specific hotkeys for the handful of apps you open most often rather than relying on the full list.
• Keep refresh interval reasonable (e.g., 500–1500 ms) to balance responsiveness and CPU use.
• Run with appropriate privileges only when necessary; prefer least privilege for security.
• Backup configs before making major tweaks; use versioned filenames or a dotfile manager.
• Combine with window rules (if supported) to auto-group or pin frequently used windows.
• Document custom filters so you or teammates can reproduce setups.

Quick troubleshooting checklist

1. Restart the launcher.
2. Check hotkey conflicts and OS permissions.
3. Run as administrator if needed.
4. Reset filters to default.
5. Increase refresh interval.
6. Verify config file path and write permissions.
7. Test with other window manager settings disabled.

If you want, I can provide sample config snippets for hotkeys, filters, or a profile tuned for low CPU usage.