Cmd-Tab stops switching Spaces after Windows 8.1

I've seen a number of complaints about how people want Cmd-Tab to use the Aero interface in their Windows VM - this problem is different. I want Cmd-Tab to continue to use the Mac OSX task switcher, and for all my related Mac preferences to work as I configured them.

On my Mac, when I use Cmd-Tab, I should automatically move to the Space where an application has an open window, as I have it configured in Mission Control. This works fine, UNTIL I open my Windows 8.1 VM. After starting Windows 8.1, Cmd-Tab still uses the Mac task switcher, but no longer moves to the space where my desired application is open. The Mission Control system preference continues to show the preference as I've set it, but it is no longer honored until I completely log out of the host Mac.

This does not happen when I run a Windows 7 or a Linux guest.

Can anyone help me to get my Spaces working as expected?

Thanks!
Anthony

Host OS X 10.9.1 (Mavericks)
Parallels Desktop 8.0.18615
Guest Windows 8.1

 

Hi Opabecker,

Please follow the steps provided below to resolve the issue :

Enable or Disable Mac OS X System Shortcuts :

In Mac OS X the function keys on your keyboard (F1, F2, F3 and so on) control functions like activating Dashboard and Mission Control, adjusting screen brightness, and controlling the volume. By default, when a Windows application is active the function keys and other Mac system shortcut key combinations (such as pressing Cmd + Tab to switch between open applications) continue to activate Mac OS X functions.

To set whether function keys and OS X system shortcut key combinations activate functions in OS X or Windows:

1. Click System Shortcuts in the sidebar.
2. Select one of the following from the Send system shortcuts menu:

-Always: When Windows or Windows applications are active, function keys and other system shortcuts always trigger functions in Windows.
Never: Function keys and other system shortcuts always trigger functions in OS X.

-On Condition: If you're working with Windows, system shortcuts that don't function in Windows (for example, Control-Up Arrow button to display Mission Control) trigger functions in OS X. If you're using OS X as a guest OS and a guest OS or its application is active, system shortcuts that are typical only to OS X trigger functions in the guest version of OS X.

Thanks,
Abdul

 

Hi Abdul,

Thank you for the response. Unfortunately, this did not fix the problem.

The Cmd+Tab *IS* in fact being sent to OS X, and the task switcher "works" - however, after starting my Windows 8.1 guest, when I select an app on the host using task switcher, it stops respecting my Mission Control setting to switch to the space where the host app is open. My Send system shortcuts setting is "Never".

Also - and this too is unfortunate for finding a solution - the problem does not occur every time I start the 8.1 guest. I do know that *something* about starting the guest triggers it - maybe starting after the host system had been woken from sleep (I don't know, just a guess that seems to fit, but I haven't confirmed it yet).

Thanks!
Anthony

 

Just in case anyone was interested in this, I've now seen this problem when Parallels Desktop is not running, so it is clearly unrelated. Since this is obviously no longer the correct forum for this question, this thread can be closed. Thanks for your consideration.

Anthony