I like to use windows hotkeys to switch between programs that are
currently running on my Windows XP machine. I do this successfully
with Putty, MS office apps, UltraEdit and DOS prompts. But others,
including Mozilla, IE, The Bat! and Trillian, hotkeys only seem to
work to launch the program. How can I switch to them with a predefined
key combo?

Dear Hindered-ga:

Thank you for alerting me to the fact that my suggestion worked. I was
fairly confident that it would. In order to officially close your
question I will memrely repost my comment here for fromality purposes:

Like you, I enjoy using hotkey shortcuts too. I use "EZ Macros", a
macro program that allows me to hotkey anything and everything. You
just program your own key combo in for whatever action you desire and
'viola', hotkey. It makes quick maneuvering between programs and lots
of other tasks much faster.

E Z MACROS
http://www.americansys.com/ezmacros.htm

Look around. There are some free older versions of this program out
there for download too and they work just as well. The program works
on just about any software you can install on your computer so you
don't have to worry about compatibility, etc.

Alteratively, you might try holding down your ALT key and tapping your
TAB key and see if they navigates you through your open programs.

I look forward to your final rating and comments and I also look
forward to helping you again in the near future.

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

Like you, I enjoy using hotkey shortcuts too. I use "EZ Macros", a
macro program that allows me to hotkey anything and everything. You
just program your own key combo in for whatever action you desire and
'viola', hotkey. It makes quick maneuvering between programs and lots
of other tasks much faster.

E Z MACROS
http://www.americansys.com/ezmacros.htm

Look around. There are some free older versions of this program out
there for download too and they work just as well. The program works
on just about any software you can install on your computer so you
don't have to worry about compatibility, etc.

Alteratively, you might try holding down your ALT key and tapping your
TAB key and see if they navigates you through your open programs.

Let me know if this provides the best solution and answers your question.

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

Is there a reason to use macros and hotkeys instead of the good-old ALT-TAB method?

Good question.

A person would greatly benefit from a Macro program if he has an
application that needs to be logged in each time it is used, for
example. The ALT + TAB method would certainly work in a normal
situation but an assigned hotkey method would also do this AND log you
in each time with the same a one-touch assigned action, not only
making it available faster but also ready to use much faster.

tutuzdad-ga

Thanks, tutuzdad. That's worked. Now, how do I pay you? :)