OSD Window

[igvk]

I noticed that the OSD window (at least under Windows 10) is always visible when Alt-Tabbing, even it's not shown on the screen already.
Is it possible to hide it from the list of visible windows?

Besides, it breaks full screen exclusive mode of madVR video renderer - it thinks that some application draws foreground window and never switches to exclusive mode.
Perhaps, it's better to close OSD when it's not shown?
And if I close this window by hand, OSD will be never shown again.

[jitterjames]

This is done by design because a newly opened window that is brought in front is more likely to interfere with other programs and/or steal focus etc. I'm sorry if it's not completely compatible with a particular piece of software that you are using. I have never encountered any problems with any software on any version of Windows.

[igvk]

There are windows, that do not steal focus.
And, won't it be better to have an option to close it?

Is that it's present in Alt-Tab also by design? Seems a little inconvenient to me.

[jitterjames]

2.2.3.8 is now on the Downloads page.

http://voxcommando.com/home/downloads/

This new beta version closes (disposes) all types of OSD window now (recognized speech, alternates, action based OSD messages and OSD  for command confirmation) instead of hiding them.

I hope people will test this version with their setups and let me know if they encounter any problems with VoxCommando interfering with the normal operation and focus of other programs. In my testing so far everything seems fine.

Note that VoxCommando's OSD windows will still not appear in front of applications that use a true, exclusive full-screen mode like Kodi's. In the case of Kodi you can set Kodi to use "full-screen window" or you can send OSD messages to Kodi using the xJson plugin.

[igvk]

That's really great news!
Is it also possible to make OSD window hidden from task switcher (Alt-Tab)? Or is there a reason to keep it there?

[PegLegTV]

@Jitterjames, new Version is working great, will hopefully update on my main PC tomorrow.

@igvk, I don't have the OSD Window show up under Task Switcher(Alt+Tab) with the newest version 2.2.3.8 (windows 10)

[igvk]

@igvk, I don't have the OSD Window show up under Task Switcher(Alt+Tab) with the newest version 2.2.3.8 (windows 10)

You don't have it in Alt-Tab window list when OSD shown on screen (or when closed)?

[jitterjames]

While OSD windows are visible they are also in the alt-tab list.

This is necessary. It is not a choice but something that is done automatically by the Windows OS. When the OSD window disappears it closes completely and it is removed from the alt-tab collection.

[igvk]

Ok, I don't insist. Closing OSD window is good enough.
But for completeness, there is a thread at stackoverflow about this with several solutions:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/357076/best-way-to-hide-a-window-from-the-alt-tab-program-switcher

[jitterjames]

Well I am relieved that you don't insist. 

Actually I had already replied to this thread yesterday to say that I found a possible method to do this but for some reason my forum post did not register or I closed that tab in my browser by accident.

Anyway, I really don't understand why this is important but I'll include this update in the next release.

[igvk]

Ok, James, thanks!
I'm glad you found a solution.
Was I a little pushy? Didn't mean it.

The important part was closing the window.
Hiding it from task list - just for the most unintrusive OSD window.