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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  2. Anonymous
    2023-12-15T14:50:11+00:00

    I tested three times in a row, cannot reproduce (however, this doesn't prove the issue has been fixed). If the issue does still exist, it may not be caused/tested by gpupdate anymore...

    Notably, my group policy drive mappings disappear and reappear during the gpupdate "flash," but Explorer does not commandeer foreground from me.

    Windows 11 Enterprise 23H2 (22631.2861).

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-12-15T14:45:37+00:00

    Whoa... let's jump on this... are you sure?

    What version are you running (via winver)?

    Are you able to do the gpupdate test?

    Trying again on my pc.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-12-15T14:39:17+00:00

    The problem is back. Twice this morning for me.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-12-14T21:54:28+00:00

    This is both fitting and hilarious. Thanks.

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