This is a technical findings response to the request for a way to switch apps
from a JAWS script.
I have played often with this concept, but we as scripters are a bit hampered
by lack of access to Windows
functions intended for this action. Here are the things I've tried and their
results, off the top of my head.
This list is certain not to be complete.
SetFocus() to set focus to an app's top-level window: Works in many cases but
can fail to set focus and can
also cause focus to be lost if the new app is currently minimized.
Using MSAA to focus the window's Window or Client object: May work more often
but is still subject to the
above caveat.
Using SendMessage or PostMessage messages to activate the window and deactivate
the previous one: I've tried
several such sequences, but none worked every time and all are still subject to
the minimized-destination-app
issue.
The JAWS SwitchToPreviousApp() function to switch to an app, the count for
which would have to be derived from
something like the order of Taskbar icons perhaps: Seems not to work at all, at
least in JAWS 17/18 and
Windows 8.1.
I also tried finding a way via various COM shell objects commonly available in
Windows but found nothing
sufficient to do better than all of the above approaches.
I believe I even recently tried programmatic activation of the Alt+Tab task
list so I could activate a task by
acting on an element in that list; but I seem to recall that failing also,
though details currently elude me.
On Sun, Nov 13, 2016 at 02:52:56PM -0500, Jonathan Cohn wrote:
Definitely try above suggestion, but certainly you could create a script in the
default.jss that gets a list of top level windows and searches through them.
A couple of places I have thought of doing this, but did not:
1. JAWS Window List is an application but insert-F10 will not SetFocus/Activate
that window if it is already open.
2. Using the windows-2 to open Outlook 2013 always opens a new instance of
Inbox instead of activating the existing Outlook window.
Also, on the Windows shortcut front windows-alt-number should bring up a menu
in most cases.
Best wishes,
Jonathan
On Nov 13, 2016, at 11:33 AM, Jeremy Richards <jeremy.richards7@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Pin the item or file to the Windows taskbar then use Windows+1, Windows +2,
Windows+3 etc. to launch a new instance of that file or simply switch focus
to it.
Right now, press Windows key +T to place focus on the taskbar. Use your right
arrow key to find something of interest such as File explorer. Track how many
times you had to press the right arrow key, then press the Windows key with
the numbered item. If you had to right arrow twice, then press windows key+2.
If you had to arrow 3 times, press windows key+3.
To pin items to the taskbar simply search for the item using the Start menu
search box then right-click and press enter on "pin to taskbar."
You can also move items around on the taskbar so they are in a more desirable
order.
JR
-----Original Message-----
From: jawsscripts-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:jawsscripts-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of AccessibleTech ;.
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2016 8:25 AM
To: jawsscripts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [jawsscripts] Moving to window with a Hot key?
Hello Folks,
Is there any script that would activate a minimized window with a hot key?
For example, If I am working on Internet explorer, and a notepad window is
open in the background, then pressing ctrl+1 would move focus to that Notepad
window.
I need this script for my work purposes, and I'm not allowed to install any
third party software onto my work PC. However, I'm allowed to write scripts
in Jaws script manager only.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
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