Windows 11--most recently opened Explorer window keeps popping up into the foreground

Anonymous
2023-01-01T17:15:47+00:00

About a month ago Windows Explorer started the annoying habit of routinely moving its most recently opened window into the foreground. Is there a way to stop it from doing this?

For example, I'll open an Explorer window to open a file into another application, and a few minutes later, for no apparent reason, Windows Explorer will interrupt the application by popping its Explorer window into the foreground. The same thing will happen when watching a video: a minute or two into watching the video and the most recently opened Explorer window will move into the foreground interrupting the video.

The only way to stop this behavior is to close all Explorer windows while watching a video or working in another application. Annoying as heck. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Microsoft Windows 11 Home Version 10.0.22621 Build 22621

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-01-05T21:01:24+00:00

    Same issue for a couple of months now. A recently opened Explorer window that's in the background will randomly pop up into the foreground.

    Win11 Pro 22H2 22621.963

    Lenovo Legion 7-16ACHg6 - Type 82N6

    AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX

    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 16GB

    64GB G.SKILL Ripjaws

    Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210

    C: Samsung 970 PRO 512GB MZ-V7P512E

    D: WD Black 4TB SN850X

    BIOS GKCN59WW

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-01-05T08:45:59+00:00

    Hi @Diplocaulus - your issue sounds very similar to one I started having about a month ago. I was so frustrated about it that I added an entry to the Microsoft Feedback Hub - see here: https://aka.ms/AAj4p5k

    As you rightly say, the behaviour interrupts. Given the scientific evidence that interruptions can cause significant loss of productivity, this is a highly frustrating issue. See https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1518/155723408X299852 for instance.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-01-05T06:52:30+00:00

    Hi Diplocaulus,

    After the clean boot, the system can be restored to the normal startup state. May I ask whether you have referred to the related content in the above link:

    Image

    Usually, after performing the corresponding steps, your device will boot normally.

    Best regards,

    Mitchell - | Microsoft community support expert from MSFT

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-01-03T14:50:47+00:00

    Hi Mitchell,

    Thank you for your prompt reply. Unfortunately, I tried a clean boot some time ago regarding another Windows 11 issue and it messed up my system configuration to the point where my PC refused to start normally thereafter, requiring a lot of time and effort to fix. Like Windows 11's other weird bugs, I'll just learn to live with this issue until Microsoft issues a fix.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-01-02T10:04:18+00:00

    Hello Diplocaulus,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    According to your description, this situation started about a month ago, right? That means that at least initially, the File Explorer doesn't have this problem, right?

    Can you recall any operations you performed on the device when this problem occurred? For example, what applications are installed? Has the system been updated? Or have you changed any Settings? It's important to remember as much as you can, because it's likely that this question has something to do with it.

    If you can recall any changes you made or any programs you installed, try to undo the changes and uninstall the corresponding programs. But if you really can't remember anything, please follow my instructions.

    Please perform a clean boot on your device first. By performing a clean boot, this is a mode of disabling third-party services or software, which could help rule out the interference of these elements.

    Disclaimer: A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem.

    After a clean boot, please search for "CMD" in the taskbar and open Command Prompt as an administrator. Type the following two commands respectively, and press Enter to execute the command:

    sfc /scannow

    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

    These two commands are used to repair the system. After executing them, please restart your device and confirm whether the problem still exists in the File Explorer. If the problem still exists, I will provide you with some complicated repair solutions.

    If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

    Best regards,

    Mitchell - | Microsoft community support expert from MSFT

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