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
    2023-02-24T08:02:00+00:00

    Same issue here which started a few days ago after the recent W11 update had been rolled out in our company.

    If an Explorer window is open, after a while it is moved into the foreground on top of all other windows for no apparent reason.

    Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise, Version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.1265) on a Dell Precision 5570 Laptop (Intel i9-12900H)

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-02-25T21:04:57+00:00

    I have the same problem and it has been occurring since early December 2022!! It is such a nuisance!

    System:

    AMD Ryzen9 5950X Processor

    Asus Rog Strix x570-E Motherboard

    128 GB Corsair Vengence DDR 4 3200 Ram

    2 - 1TB Samsung 980 Pro SSD NVME Gen 4 Hard Drives (Internal)

    2-1TB WD Black SN770 Hard Drives (Internal)

    Asus Nvidia Geforce RTX 3070 Graphic Card

    Windows 11 Pro with 22H2 Update

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    PS: I have already tried everything mentioned without success. Would a return to Windows 10 help?

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-03-01T17:52:28+00:00

    Same problem here. Started when I first installed win11.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-03-01T18:33:34+00:00

    Same here with two machine. Details from one below. Both are Pro 11

    Edition Windows 11 Pro
    Version 22H2
    Installed on ‎21/‎09/‎2022
    OS build 22621.1265
    Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22638.1000.0

    First noticed about a week ago.

    Close Explorer/install 3rd party file manager seem to be workarounds but very annoying.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-03-05T07:06:55+00:00

    Same here, it started happening exactly after updating to 22H2.
    Happens even while I'm watching videos in fullscreen.

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