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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-12-01T14:10:13+00:00

    What's especially concerning is the severity of detriment that this bug can cause, especially surrounding privacy issues (not to mention productivity issues).

    Imagine you're giving a presentation with PowerPoint full-screen, and all of the sudden an explorer window with thumbnails of images you would prefer not to be seen commandeers the foreground, or worse, contains patient medical information, in violation of federal law (I'm looking at you HIPAA).

    Maybe some folks in this thread don't need to imagine...

    Uggh... two steps forward and three steps back. Microsoft, please fix the "Windows" feature of Microsoft "Windows" 🙏

    This issue is ridiculous, and one imagines, wouldn't be difficult to fix...

    Step 1: What's causing the pop-over? (seems like a group policy refresh issue to a number of people in this thread)

    Step 2: Fix it...

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-11-30T09:46:01+00:00

    Fix this!

    The issue persists for at least a year now in spite of numerous reports and feedback.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-10-17T14:55:37+00:00

    The bug originally surfaced around September 2022. It is scheduled to be "mostly mitigated" in the upcoming 23H2 release, where instead of a popping up a window permanently and stealing focus, it will pop up a window for 1 frame without stealing focus.

    But as a special treat to you, here's my Twitch video clip of the problem from September 2022, where I reported the issue as a Windows Insider. Watch the whole thing. Laugh, if you can. Enjoy :) https://clips.twitch.tv/DrabBoldPizzaVoHiYo-C3prGGlpvipemTHa

    Thanks for sharing. Despite having experienced the issue many times, I think that's the first time I've seen a recording of it.

    haha great video - We all feel your pain :)

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-10-17T14:45:14+00:00

    The bug originally surfaced around September 2022. It is scheduled to be "mostly mitigated" in the upcoming 23H2 release, where instead of a popping up a window permanently and stealing focus, it will pop up a window for 1 frame without stealing focus.

    But as a special treat to you, here's my Twitch video clip of the problem from September 2022, where I reported the issue as a Windows Insider. Watch the whole thing. Laugh, if you can. Enjoy :) https://clips.twitch.tv/DrabBoldPizzaVoHiYo-C3prGGlpvipemTHa

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-10-08T13:34:28+00:00

    I just experienced a situation where two, not one, opened Explorer Windows suddenly stole focus. Evidence this issue is becoming worse, not better.

    Where, oh where has Microsoft gone?

    Oh where, oh where can it be?

    With its support cut short

    And fix times so long

    Oh where, oh where can it be?

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