Bug 329696

Summary:	Please allow forcing the tabbox to a specific screen (or to show it on all screens) to ensure it's in sight
Product:	[Plasma] kwin	Reporter:	LTHR <lanthruster>
Component:	tabbox	Assignee:	KWin default assignee <kwin-bugs-null>
Status:	REPORTED ---
Severity:	wishlist	CC:	bnerickson87, cameronsmith002, rene, shibisjm, superdash993, tobiasz.cudnik, unicoded
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	4.11.3
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Gentoo Packages
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description LTHR 2014-01-07 20:59:22 UTC

In multi-display environment it happens that the second or other display is not within the reach of an eye. The new KDE task switcher follows either application or mouse focus. If application is run on the second display not visible to an operator the task switcher is displayed on the second display and disappears from the control display.  Follow the mouse switch not always work since the cursor of the mouse is not always at the same display the work is done. 

I suggest to keep the new behavior but add the ability to bind the task switcher to the display a user can choose. 


Reproducible: Always

Comment 1 tobiasz.cudnik 2020-09-24 12:36:14 UTC

I cant believe this is an 6yo bug. I expect the task switcher to be on all screens by default.

Use case:
- alt+tab through windows
- pick a wrong window on a different screen
- start alt+tabbing again

Result: Task Switcher moved to another screen
Expected: I can continue my flow looking at one screen only

Comment 2 LTHR 2020-12-19 03:19:42 UTC

Yes both displays are sometimes good but if you have one display you work and other display is to demonstrate say a control board for others the task switcher appearing on all screens would be an annoying experience. But in some cases all display task switcher is good. 

So it looks like we have two new options: 

1. fixed: let a user to choose display for the switcher 
2. general: all display task switcher 

(In reply to tobiasz.cudnik from comment #1)
> I cant believe this is an 6yo bug. I expect the task switcher to be on all
> screens by default.
> 
> Use case:
> - alt+tab through windows
> - pick a wrong window on a different screen
> - start alt+tabbing again
> 
> Result: Task Switcher moved to another screen
> Expected: I can continue my flow looking at one screen only

Comment 3 Cameron Smith 2025-11-17 08:05:45 UTC

I would agree with the original post that adding the ability to bind the task switcher to a chosen display/main display would be extremely useful.

Task switcher appearing on whatever monitor is active is not a bug, but I do prefer to have it on my main monitor.