Applications stealing focus - reg key no longer fixes

Anonymous
2010-04-08T18:42:59+00:00

I want to prevent any applications from stealing focus in windows 7 (and Vista).  Tweakui used to modify the below Registry key to 0.  Then there was a key that affected the number of flashes a "want to steal focus" window would make in the taskbar.

ForegroundLockTimeout

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

This reg key is apparently no longer working.  Focus stealing is a major problem, from canceling/oking window that pop-up, to getting virus's from IE windows.  Applications are still written to do this, including MS Office 2007.  If you are typing an email something can pop up and get the next key stroke.  I need to fix this.  Any ideas, or has Windows completely removed a needed feature.

tags: steal focus apps active regedit

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Apps

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Anonymous
2011-10-23T11:13:03+00:00

I solved the problem in this way:

I noticed that just before the focus was "stolen", the PC got "busy" for a second (beside the mouse appeared the small circle indicating the processor is working hard on sth).

So I started the Task Manager and gave a close look at the processes. I noticed that one process took over a relevat percentage of CPU usage exactly an instant before the focus was stolen from the task manager window.

Since it was a process that I don't need to be active all the time (sth about Vodafone Mobile connection, which I rarely use) I just stopped the process and then didn't allow the process to be started every time I turn on the PC. I did this last step using Piriform's free software  "CCleaner", but I'm sure you can find different tools for this...

This was enough to fix it ...

Hope this helped!

Bye!

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-10-13T22:20:49+00:00

    All or any download, stop.  Among all the other errors of Windows 7, it's been a headach and costly.  and I still get page errors, Adobe Flash does not work.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-10-15T14:46:06+00:00

    It's NOT against the law.  That was a MS apologist speculating poorly on why this would continue happening after years and years of people complaining about it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-10-16T12:05:43+00:00

    Hmmm. Yes comparing KDE 4 and Windows 7 Desktops...

    • Window previews including minimized:

    both

    • Superbar docks:

    both (KDE4=smoothtasks)

    • Close window from preview:

    both (KDE4=smoothtasks)

    • Dual Monitor setup, Auto-snap to left-hand side of RH monitor:

    Windows 7 = fail

    KDE4 = yes (top-left, bottom-left or maximized vertically!!)

    • AND FINALLY, STEALING FOCUS:

    Windows 7 = FAIL

    KDE4 = configurable to the 'nth' degree

    Windows 7 SP1 has been installed and still no fix.

    Pull the finger out MS and get this pain-in-*88** fixed!!

    Currently migrating my iTunes library and every new file that gets moved steals focus from active window... ARRGGHGHHHH!!! This 'feature' could be disabled in Windows XP with a simple registry tweak...

    Disgruntled Windows 7 Professional User...

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