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
    2011-01-27T17:54:31+00:00

    My problem is that on occcasion, when Outlook 2010 is running in Win 7 Professional, and it is maximized, I cann swtich to another program. I try to put the mouse over the (running) program on the taskbar and click on it, or ALT + TAB to the program, no matter, the program appear on screen and is immediately replace by Outlook. Even if I try to compose an email in Outlook, the new window opens up, but the main Outlook window replaces it. My only option is to minimize the Outlook main window and click on the desired program.

    Strangely enough, if I close and reopen Outlook, this behavior does not resume.

    Windows 7 Professional RTM 2 GB memory 160 HD Networked (wired and wireless)Gateway Laptop Epson Artisan 810 All-in One Printer - Wiried and WiFi Verizon FIOS Internet Connection Samsung Intrepid SPH-i350 Windows phone Windows 6.5

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-01-23T21:38:03+00:00

    Right behaviour would be; DISPLAY the window which tries to steal the focus foreground, but do not steal the focus.

    I don't think it should even display. Flashing taskbar icon would be sufficient. If you are typing in a text window, why should another program suddenly come up on top? It should only when you want it to, not when it thinks it should.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-01-22T22:46:26+00:00

    Noone showed an easy way to reproduce:

    Start -> execute -> cmd.exe -> OK

    type:

    ping -n 60 127.0.0.1 && notepad

    Now, in exactely 60 seconds notepad will steal the focus, you cannot prevent this behaviour.

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