Abstract: Techniques for surfacing task-related applications in a heterogeneous tab environment are described. In at least some implementations, a task group is created based on an implicit association between source content from a source application and target content from a target application based on a request to launch the target application from the source application. According to various implementations, the heterogeneous tab environment presents the task group and a trigger event is defined based on the task group. Detecting the trigger event causes surfacing of the task group in the tab environment.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer storage media, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are provided for combined switching and placement of windows based on a single action. The single action may be moving an element to a hot spot or a snap portion of a display area. In response to the single action, an element is automatically launched, repositioned according to a snap portion or a hot spot that recognized the element, and opened, and a view is automatically switched to a view of at least the element.

Abstract: Techniques for exposing tabs in system task switchers are described herein. In one or more implementations, input is received to initiate a switch between different applications executed in a multi-application computing environment. In response, a system task switcher is launched to facilitate selection of and switching between the different applications. representations of the different applications are exposed via a user interface for the system task switcher. In the system task switcher configured to include functionality accessible via the system task switcher to exposed representations of individual tabs open in applications having tabbed user interfaces. Responsive to a selection of a particular application via the system task switcher, a switch occurs to the particular application in the multi-application computing environment. If a particular tab is selected, the switch occurs to expose the application UI with the selected tab being presented as the active/top tab with focus in the application UI.

Abstract: A system for modifying a user interface described herein can include a processor to detect a plurality of display screens electronically coupled to the system. The processor can also detect a first gesture corresponding to an application window displayed in one of the display screens and generate a preview panel in response to detecting the first gesture, the preview panel to be displayed proximate the application window, wherein the preview panel is to display a real-time image comprising content displayed in each of the display screens. Furthermore, the processor can detect a second gesture to move the application window to a different display screen modify the user interface to display the application window in the different display screen.

Abstract: A head-mounted display device may display a notification artifact for another display device. Using image data of a physical environment, a three dimensional model of the environment may be generated. Locations of the head-mounted display device and the other display device within the model may be determined. Notification data for the other display device may be received. Based on the location of the other display device relative to the head-mounted display device, the notification artifact for the other display device may be displayed within the physical environment.

Abstract: Techniques for a contextual new tab experience in a heterogeneous tab environment are described. In at least some implementations, relevant content associated with a user's current task is determined based on contextual information collected from tabs presented in a heterogeneous tab environment. According to various implementations, a new tab is launched displaying the relevant content in the heterogeneous tab environment. Thus, contextually relevant content can be determined from a current task and displayed in a single location via a heterogeneous tab environment.

Abstract: Techniques for surfacing task-related applications in a heterogeneous tab environment are described. In at least some implementations, a task group is created based on an implicit association between source content from a source application and target content from a target application based on a request to launch the target application from the source application. According to various implementations, the heterogeneous tab environment presents the task group and a trigger event is defined based on the task group. Detecting the trigger event causes surfacing of the task group in the tab environment.

Abstract: A head-mounted display device may display a notification artifact for another display device. Using image data of a physical environment, a three dimensional model of the environment may be generated. Locations of the head-mounted display device and the other display device within the model may be determined. Notification data for the other display device may be received. Based on the location of the other display device relative to the head-mounted display device, the notification artifact for the other display device may be displayed within the physical environment.

Abstract: A clipboard component provides a multi-item clipboard store. The clipboard component uses a technical strategy that facilitates its efficient adoption and use by end users and application developers. From an end user's standpoint, the clipboard component provides a new user experience which is easy for the users to discover, learn and use, due, in part, to the use of ergonomic control mechanisms for activating paste and copy operations. From a developer's standpoint, the clipboard component provides a way of allowing existing legacy applications to interact with a multi-item clipboard store, even though these applications were not originally created to provide that type of interaction. The clipboard component can also, upon instruction by a user, apply one or more supplemental operations to a copied content item, such as transferring the item to a target computing device.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are related to systems and methods for implementing a customizable compact overlay window in a display. In one embodiment, a computing system includes one or more processors and a storage device that stores computer executable instructions that can be executed by the processors to cause the computing system to perform the following. The system receives from an application running on the computing system customization parameters that define how the application is to be configured in a compact overlay window. The system generates the compact overlay window so that the compact overlay window is customizable according to the customization parameters. The system positions the compact overlay window in a portion of a display of the computing system.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for automatically forming groups of application windows. The techniques may be performed with a computing device executing a windowing system, the windowing system having a user interface element that can be interacted with by a user to manage applications executing on the computing device. Each application may correspond to a separate process and application window. It may be determined that an operation has occurred that will evict the application windows of target applications from the display, and in response an application group may be automatically formed. The application group may have indicia of the evicted target applications. The application group may be provided to the user interface element, and when the user interface element is interacted with by the user the user interface element displays user-selectable graphic application indicators for both the application group and applications other than the target applications.

Abstract: Techniques for exposing tabs in system task switchers are described herein. In one or more implementations, input is received to initiate a switch between different applications executed in a multi-application computing environment. In response, a system task switcher is launched to facilitate selection of and switching between the different applications. representations of the different applications are exposed via a user interface for the system task switcher. In the system task switcher configured to include functionality accessible via the system task switcher to exposed representations of individual tabs open in applications having tabbed user interfaces. Responsive to a selection of a particular application via the system task switcher, a switch occurs to the particular application in the multi-application computing environment. If a particular tab is selected, the switch occurs to expose the application UI with the selected tab being presented as the active/top tab with focus in the application UI.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for automatically forming groups of application windows. The techniques may be performed with a computing device executing a windowing system, the windowing system having a user interface element that can be interacted with by a user to manage applications executing on the computing device. Each application may correspond to a separate process and application window. It may be determined that an operation has occurred that will evict the application windows of target applications from the display, and in response an application group may be automatically formed. The application group may have indicia of the evicted target applications. The application group may be provided to the user interface element, and when the user interface element is interacted with by the user the user interface element displays user-selectable graphic application indicators for both the application group and applications other than the target applications.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of providing universal back navigation for multiple windows. Universal back navigation allows universal back functionality to transition between operating in an in-application context and a cross-application context. In the in-application context, operation of the universal back functionality is restricted to functionality of an application (e.g., a single application) to which user instructions are to be currently directed by default. In the cross-application context, operation of the universal back functionality is not restricted to functionality of the application to which user instructions are to be currently directed by default.

Abstract: Window-invoking functionality is described herein for leveraging context information to present a graphical control element (e.g., a window) of an application in a manner that most likely corresponds to the underlying intent of a user. By doing so, the window-invoking functionality improves the efficiency of the user in interacting with the application, and also reduces consumption of computing resources. In one implementation, the window-invoking functionality includes an information gathering component for collecting the context information, and an invocation component for selecting a particular virtual desktop on which to present the graphical control element, based on the context information.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for automatically forming groups of application windows. The techniques may be performed with a computing device executing a windowing system, the windowing system having a user interface element that can be interacted with by a user to manage applications executing on the computing device. Each application may correspond to a separate process and application window. It may be determined that an operation has occurred that will evict the application windows of target applications from the display, and in response an application group may be automatically formed. The application group may have indicia of the evicted target applications. The application group may be provided to the user interface element, and when the user interface element is interacted with by the user the user interface element displays user-selectable graphic application indicators for both the application group and applications other than the target applications.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling heterogeneous application tabs. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable grouping, sizing, and/or positioning of heterogeneous application tabs to provide an optimized layout of application content.

Abstract: Desktop environment differentiation in virtual desktop techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a user is logged into a corresponding single user account of an operating system of a computing device. Functionality accessible via the single user account is exposed to implement a plurality of virtual desktops associated with the single user account. Each of the plurality of virtual desktops including a user interface that is configured to have an associated collection of windows corresponding to applications and desktop environments that are differentiated, one from another.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for initiating actions via a switcher view are provided. In embodiments, a control to present in association with a window representation is determined In a switcher view including a variety of window representations, the control is presented in association with the window representation. Upon a user-selection of the control, an action corresponding with the control is initiated while the switcher view is maintained. Such an action can perform functionality in association with the application.

Abstract: Operating system virtual desktop techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a plurality of virtual desktops are implemented by a single operating system of a computing device. Each of the virtual desktops includes a user interface that is configured to have an associated collection of windows that correspond to applications. Access to the plurality of virtual desktops is managed by the operating system that is navigable by a user to interact with associated collection of representations of application and windows corresponding to the applications by switching between the plurality of virtual desktops.