Alt-Tab problem

[Juandachu]

I don't know if anyone's mentioned this problem in another thread. I've looked around but didn't see it. I'm running Windows 7 x64 and the game itself runs fine (I might have had a crash or two) but sometimes, if I Alt-Tab out of the game, the game will stay minimized and won't show again unless I close it and start it up again.

It has kind of made me into a save freak just in case, hahah.

[Oldgayracist]

Originally posted by BenWah:

On some computers, setting fallout3.exe compatibility mode to xp3 can eliminate these crashes. Unfortunately on some computers doing this stops alt tabbing from working at all. But worth a try.

thank you. worked for me

[freshyq314]

major necro, but this thread still comes up in searches. Here is a MUCH more robust solution that fixes all kinds of issues that stem from gamebryo engine choking on multicore processors. Simple change to a config file, too.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Fallout/comments/1iaj6s/crashbug_fixes_for_every_fallout_game_for/

[The_Feet]

Originally posted by Nolie:

I know this is an old post but i have a solution. click properties on FOSE (Fallout script extender) or if you do not have FOSE then just click properties on Fallout 3, navigate to shortcut and where it says run: normal window, change that to maximized and it goes full screen and allows you to alt tab as much as you want and not crash :)

WORKED HERE! Win7 64bit Ultimate

[sjcomix]

Must run game in Vista service pack 2 compatibility mode.

Bethesda website:

https://help.bethesda.net/app/answers/detail/a_id/30649/~/what-do-i-do-if-i-am-having-a-problem-running-fallout-3-on-windows-10%3F

[Yoda]

HERE'S A MOD :
Fallout originally doesn't allow Alt tab but this fix will allow it. I hope it has fixed your problem <3
Fake Fullscreen Mode Windowed - Alt Tab Fix: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout3/mods/16001

[d1m4e]

i found a solution i think if you alt tab without pausing your game it would not freez and it will pause itself

[Plongus]

go to the Fallout config settings in documents>my games>fallout 3 scroll down to display and look for ilocation x and y. Switch it from 5 to 1.

[eclipse]

Originally posted by DZMaven:

Yeah, stay on quicksaves and make hardsaves every couple hours. Get good with alt-tab. Crashes with this game sometimes cause your mouse pointer to turn invisible preventing you from closing the game. ;)

Id say make hardsave every 30min or so. You can get screwed over by relying on auto and quicksaves tho rarely. If i had to rollback Hours of play id likely /uninstall depending how much i did in that time, which is usually a ton.

[Roo11ync]

Originally posted by Duc Tan Ngo LegendofHeroDesigner:

Originally posted by iNf.chaz:

I've run into this problem with various games that use the Gamebryo engine. You actually have to alt+tab twice to get back to fullscreen.

I tried pressing the Alt+Tab keys twice, but it did not solve the issue on Windows 7 64-bit.

The solution that solved Alt+Tab making the Fallout 3 window unable to be seen later in Windows 7 64-bit, was to set Fallout3.exe to run in Windows XP (Service Pack 3) compatibility mode. After doing so, Fallout 3 can be Alt+Tab'd successfully.

I tried but it didnt work

[d3adf1sh]

Originally posted by Duc Tan Ngo LegendofHeroDesigner:

The solution that solved Alt+Tab making the Fallout 3 window unable to be seen later in Windows 7 64-bit, was to set Fallout3.exe to run in Windows XP (Service Pack 3) compatibility mode. After doing so, Fallout 3 can be Alt+Tab'd successfully.

this seems to have fixed it for me too. thanks!

windows 10 enterprise
ryzen 3800x / 980ti

edit: nevermind, it was working for a while now it's back to not working

[Nixes[EST]]

Originally posted by GoodVrGames:

"On some computers, setting fallout3.exe compatibility mode to xp3 can eliminate these crashes. Unfortunately on some computers doing this stops alt tabbing from working at all. But worth a try."
WORKED.
Win 7 Ult x64. i5 3470.

This worked for me. Thank you. I am using Windows 10.

[Mr. No_Effs_Given]

Originally posted by GoodVrGames:

"On some computers, setting fallout3.exe compatibility mode to xp3 can eliminate these crashes. Unfortunately on some computers doing this stops alt tabbing from working at all. But worth a try."
WORKED.
Win 7 Ult x64. i5 3470.

Bruh, almost a 10 year old post, time flies. Just passing by to say that this works on Win 11. Thanks for the tip!

[Grompy]

Originally posted by Mr. No_Effs_Given:

Originally posted by GoodVrGames:

"On some computers, setting fallout3.exe compatibility mode to xp3 can eliminate these crashes. Unfortunately on some computers doing this stops alt tabbing from working at all. But worth a try."
WORKED.
Win 7 Ult x64. i5 3470.

Bruh, almost a 10 year old post, time flies:lunar2020horrifiedrat:. Just passing by to say that this works on Win 11. Thanks for the tip!

I'm also on 11. I set mine to xp3, but it still wasn't working. However it started working when I set my taskbar to auto hide. Annoying!

[D'Ther]

Play in windowed mode and use "borderless gaming 10.0" to make it fullscreen
no more problem with alt-tab

[Grompy]

Originally posted by D'Ther:

Play in windowed mode and use "borderless gaming 10.0" to make it fullscreen
no more problem with alt-tab

Thanks for the suggestion! I've run it for a week and it is perfect! No more annoying auto-hidden taskbar YAY! It looked like 10 was paid so I used 9.5.6.