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
    2023-04-29T13:58:37+00:00

    Thanks for the info. I was beginning to think that Microsoft didn't care about its home users, but apparently they don't have much regard for their enterprise users as well. This is surprising. I would like to think that Microsoft will eventually fix this, but based upon my own past experience with other Microsoft issues, I wouldn't hold my breath.

    For example, searches have not worked properly in Outlook for over two years. About twice a year I contact Microsoft support and let them have remote access to my PC to see if they can fix it. Unfortunately, the result is always the same: support concludes that mine is a "known" issue and tells me it will be fixed "soon." Needless to say, the takeaway is that "soon"--in Microsoft speak--is a euphemism for never.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-04-25T13:35:22+00:00

    I'm wondering if this issue also affects Windows 11 Enterprise users, or just every other Windows 11 user? Any Windows 11 Enterprise people out there? Thanks.

    Yes, using Windows 11 Enterprise at work and a different edition at home (I think it's Home, rather than Pro - I can check later).

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-04-25T13:27:54+00:00

    Yes, we are using Win11 Enterprise on hundreds of PCs throughout a Global organization. This problem has caused issues when entering data. Not a good thing when your production line is using pushbutton inspection equipment just to have File Explorer pop up over their databases. Microsoft needs to get this resolved ASAP.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-04-25T13:13:06+00:00

    This issue has completely taken over our entire organization. If the file explorer window is left open in the background, it'll just randomly seize control and pup up on top of whatever you are working on. It is MASSIVELY frustrating and has caused us to accidentally delete things. PLEASE FIX THIS!

    I'm wondering if this issue also affects Windows 11 Enterprise users, or just every other Windows 11 user? Any Windows 11 Enterprise people out there? Thanks.

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