Powertoys: Window Walker doesn't work well with the mouse

[orangemocha]

Environment

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.18363.657]
PowerToys version: v0.16.0
PowerToy module for which you are reporting the bug (if applicable): Window Walker

Steps to reproduce

Press Ctrl+Win to launch Window Walker
Type the name of an application that's running

Click on the search result that appears in the dropdown.

Expected behavior

Window Walker is dismissed and the window corresponding to the selection is activated.

Actual behavior

The window is activated behind window walker, but window walker remains active. At that point, there is no clear way to exit window walker:

• Pressing Escape doesn't work.
• If I click on the window that is activated below window walker, window walker disappears but then the window that was originally active before launching WW is reactivated!

Also, for mouse usage, it would be nice to have an [x] to the right top corner of WW, to dismiss it.

[ZachHaber]

For me clicking gives a preview and double clicking will take me to the window. I think that makes sense to me as it was the first thing I tried in this situation. Although maybe having it take you to the window on a click on a highlighted option makes more sense than simply double clicking.
It seems like pressing escape to get out of window walker currently only works when the input has focus (rather than the options).

[betsegaw]

That is by design. The idea is that you can filter down to a set of windows, click a single time with your mouse to see the window with everything else transparent, and then when you find your window, double click it to switch to that window.

I do understand though that there is no explicit guidance as to the above. Maybe something to consider for launcher @crutkas ?

[orangemocha]

I hadn't understood the single vs double click behavior. I think it might be more intuitive to give the preview on hover and confirm on single click.

Even with the current design though, there are some issues. If I select an entry with single-click, then Enter doesn't work anymore to confirm it. Also, if I click on the window that has been previewed itself, it dismisses WW and returns to the pre-WW state. I get that clicking outside of WW means Escape, but this seems rather odd.

[crutkas]

@betsegaw, the single click doesn't seem to be working on the internal build of 0.16.1

IMO:

• mouse hover == selection in list for up/down
  
  
  
  • this would give them the same behavior
  
  
• click = switch to window

[betsegaw]

Single click doesn't make other windows transparent?

[crutkas]

Single click doesn't make other windows transparent?

nope, i get the effect but it doesn't do anything

[betsegaw]

The idea was to mirror what the keyboard enables. Quick previews of the windows as well as opening the windows. We could cut the capability to quick view the windows but not sure if the trade-off is worth it.

[crutkas]

@betsegaw, to me, that is what hover would do. For me, this is more of a context menu metaphor which is why i think onhover should do the previews and click does the opening.

[betsegaw]

Hover is a nice way to go. Anything that minimizes clicks is a win.

[orangemocha]

Another improvement I would suggest is that if the user clicks on a window while WW is open, that window should be activated (and WW dismissed).

[crutkas]

since this will be migrating into Launcher, i don't know if we should really invest time here.