Weird issue with Alt-Tab on primary computer after installing Multiplicity

from Stardock Forums

Hey all, 

I did a quick search in the forum for "alt tab" but found nothing relating to my specific issue.

Before installing Multiplicity, I can alt-tab between windows on my primary machine with no problem.  They go right back to where they were when I tabbed away.  For example, I have a spreadsheet open in Microsoft Excel and a webpage open in Microsoft Edge.  When I alt-tab to the Excel sheet, it puts me right back on where I left off, alt-tabbing to Edge brings me right back to the webpage and I an continue scrolling on either.

After installing Multiplicity, whenever I alt-tab between applications (again, using Excel and Edge as my examples) it activates the the ALT key as if I'm accessing the menu.  When I alt-tab back to Excel, I get the letter shortcuts for the menu options and have to hit ALT again to clear it.  When I alt-tab to Edge, it highlights the 3 vertical dots menu on the upper right.  I have to click back on the webpage to get it back to normal.

Is there any option or setting to turn this off, or is it a built-in function of Multiplicity?  I'd really love to use it to control the other computers on my network, but the alt-tab issue is a hassle when I'm logged into work taking calls and tabbing between windows, having to clear the ALT each time.

Thanks!

multiplicity
7,903 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having issues.

What's the Full Numbered version of Windows ?

Version of Multiplicity ?

How many Monitors ?

 


AzDude
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Hey AzDude,

 

WIndows 11, Version 21H2, OS Build 22000.778, Experience - Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22000.778.0

Multiplicity Version:  Version 3.57 Build 00103.km

# of Monitors:  3  (laptop screen, 1x Acer 27" connected via USB-C to HDMI, 1x 40" TV connected via HDMI.

I had it uninstalled due to the issue, but reinstalled so I could get the version number.  Now it seems to be intermittent with Edge, but always activates when I alt-tab to any Office 365 application (Noticed in Excel, but also just tried and it does the same thing in Word).

Here's a screenshot - https://photos.app.goo.gl/hkeXoHTsL4mQJa8q9

You'll see the letter shortcuts in yellow that is a clear indication ALT was activated.  Yet the only thing I did was ALT-Tab over to Excel.  It's like it put an extra ALT keystroke in there.

The only reason I know it's tied to Multiplicity is that when I uninstall Multiplicity the problem goes away.

Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

I have forwarded your report to the Stardock support team for their review and recommendations.

Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates.

We really do appreciate your feedback, thanks.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

After installing Multiplicity, whenever I alt-tab between applications (again, using Excel and Edge as my examples) it activates the the ALT key as if I'm accessing the menu.  When I alt-tab back to Excel, I get the letter shortcuts for the menu options and have to hit ALT again to clear it.  When I alt-tab to Edge, it highlights the 3 vertical dots menu on the upper right.  I have to click back on the webpage to get it back to normal.
End of quote

Does this last past a reboot of each PC?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

sdRohan,

First, love the userpic!  I'm a Star Trek aficionado myself.  :)

And yes, it does last past a reboot of the PC.  Right now, I've not configured or used Multiplicity to connect to another PC.  Haven't gotten that far yet.  Stopped when I noticed this issue. 

Here's a link to a screen record of it.  Hoping it helps. 

https://youtu.be/JwEe8tmxfW4

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting ke4peo, reply 5

First, love the userpic!  I'm a Star Trek aficionado myself. 
End of ke4peo's quote

As am I 😉(view from my office window):

Quoting ke4peo, reply 5

And yes, it does last past a reboot of the PC.  Right now, I've not configured or used Multiplicity to connect to another PC.  Haven't gotten that far yet.  Stopped when I noticed this issue. 
End of ke4peo's quote

If you 'unload' MP, does the issue cease?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

That is a nice view.  :)

And yes, that was something I just tried.  I thought to myself  "But, I don't even have Multiplicity open..." and then I thought to check the system tray.  Found it, unloaded it and the problem went away.  

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting ke4peo, reply 7

That is a nice view. 

And yes, that was something I just tried.  I thought to myself  "But, I don't even have Multiplicity open..." and then I thought to check the system tray.  Found it, unloaded it and the problem went away.  
End of ke4peo's quote

Does this happen if the PC is in a clean boot state?

https://forums.stardock.com/486104/multiplicity-support-faq#cleanboot

It's an effort, under a new Admin account, to see straight away if there are settings \ app conflicts that could be causing the issue.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

I'm currently working (work from home) but I'm off the clock in about 1.5 hours.  I'll try the clean boot then and report back.

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Created new account per instructions, named Clean Boot Account.  Restarted the system.  Logged in under the Clean Boot Account.  Confirmed it still occurs under a 'clean boot'.