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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

575 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2023-12-05T09:49:26+00:00

    I can quite happily confirm, the latest Preview patch fixes the gpupdate issue bringing new Explorer windows to the front/taking focus.

    December 4, 2023—KB5032288 (OS Builds 22621.2792 and 22631.2792) Preview - Microsoft Support

    To grab the update you can get this via Windows Settings - Windows Update.

    Or directly from Windows Update Catalog:

    Microsoft Update Catalog

    The update with this fix should automatically apply to all users after Tuesday December 12th.

    This took 1 year and 1 month to fix... has to be a record no?

    This is great news, thank you for the confirmation @AllanKChambers!

    Despite the frustrating issue that brought us here, it has been a pleasure to converse with many people on this thread over the past year.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-12-05T14:37:07+00:00

    I also installed KB5032288.

    After about five back-to-back "gpupdate /force" tests, I cannot reproduce the issue.

    This does currently appear to be fixed!

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-12-05T14:49:51+00:00

    I also installed KB5032288.

    Image

    After about five back-to-back "gpupdate /force" tests, I cannot reproduce the issue.

    This does currently appear to be fixed!

    @Bill Moller, thanks for the additional confirmation.

    I can't install this update at work until it's released out of preview, but I'll be installing it at home later!

    As an aside, I have posted an update on the MS Feedback Hub entry here to let people know there: https://aka.ms/AAjevpi

    There were still people struggling with this issue as recently as Sunday. So glad it looks like it has finally been fixed.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-12-05T15:07:12+00:00

    I'm conflicted... After a year or so on this thread complaining about this bug, I feel like we've grown as a family. Children have been born, loved ones passed away. Ups and Downs. Sunrise Sunset. Ima miss you guys!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2023-12-05T15:40:59+00:00

    Ha! Bring it in, time for a familial group hug...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments