How to disable Eclipse's behavior of maximizing editor when double clicking a tab?

Question

I recently updated my Eclipse (now running 20100218-1602), and I've found whenever I click around quickly between tabs on the tab bar, it will sometimes maximize the editor and hide the PHP Explorer to the left. After researching a little, this appears to be a feature of double clicking a tab. So I guess it's my fault, I'm sure I'm clicking around too fast and mistakenly double clicking a tab, but it happens often enough on what I'd consider a normal editing session that I've come to absolutely loathe it, and even after the usual googling due diligence cannot figure out how to turn it off.

From this post someone mentions the Window.AutoHideAll shortcut, however that seems to only be for assigning keyboard shortcuts--this is a mouse click thing. But maybe it's a clue.

I can't find anything relevant under Eclipse -> Preferences -> PHP. I don't think it's specific to PHP because if I switch to the Java perspective, double clicking a tab hides the Package Explorer.

Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks!

Wheelock

This feature drives me nuts. I don't need the tab-maximize because I have huge multi-monitors but the slightest double click makes me have to reposition windows all the time. Almost makes me want to switch to IntelliJ. – Sensitometer

Answer 1

You could settle for a simpler solution than some arcane settings or shortcut:

1. resize your Eclipse main windows a bit smaller
2. drag the views you do not want to be covered after a "tab double-click" outside the main Eclipse window
3. there is no 3.

When you double-click, the Editor will cover only the main Eclipse window, while the other views will still be visible just beside that window.

Verada

Neat idea. I was concerned this wouldn't work well with Expose (i.e. picking the big eclipse window wouldn't foreground them both) but in fact it does. – Wheelock

Answer 2

I have the same issue. I kind of found a work-around.

When you click on a tab...keep mouse pressed down whole time until tab switches...it doesn't maximize then

Pettifogger