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
    2023-11-17T11:09:09+00:00

    Now... not wanting to get my hopes up BUT Microsoft next preview build, published November 16, 2023, say:

    Releasing Windows 11 Builds 22621.2787 and 22631.2787 to the Release Preview Channel
    https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2023/11/16/releasing-windows-11-builds-22621-2787-and-22631-2787-to-the-release-preview-channel/

    This update addresses an issue that affects File Explorer windows. When you do not expect them, they appear in the foreground.

    We have been here before, more than once I think, but I'm choosing to be optimistic and hope that FINALLY Microsoft can actually get this issue solved.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-11-16T19:38:16+00:00

    I am replying to the wrong post but earlier today was some comment that someone from Microsoft implied that customers close the Explorer Window as a normal protocol? Whomever said that should be fired.

    Obviously they are not power users.

    Maybe they never heard of people actually using the product for productive use of various files within the Explorer Window.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-13T08:40:32+00:00

    Microsoft has failed for a year now to fix this issue in one of their OS's fundamental features - the file explorer.

    The issue is both a concern for productivity, because it steals focus from the user, and a concern for privacy because the file explorer window could contain filenames or other information not intended for sharing.

    We have had users with examples of data nearly being lost due to typing at the point the explorer window steals focus.

    And it is clear from StephenBaggs' update, and others who have taken 23H2, that the issue remains in the latest version of Windows.

    I am appalled.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-11-08T12:44:56+00:00

    This!

    Sick to death of going to Windows "Support", spending hours detailing my install and the issue only for them THEN to look at their issues database and say 'ongoing issue, no direct resolution - have you tried reinstalling Windows?'

    Wow, great support there.

    Your software is not free. I can think of no other consumer product or service where if it didn't work there would be zero recourse to the customer / end user.

    Do better, Microsoft.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-11-03T22:01:07+00:00

    Dang. I'll try to put some more pressure on Microsoft, via the ancient Feedback Hub item here (might not be accessible to non-Insiders) https://aka.ms/AAjglx2

    ... But I don't know how to make them listen.

    Edit: I posted this on X, to try to help:

    https://x.com/Jacob_W_Klein/status/1720563467155816693?s=20

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