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
    2023-12-22T15:37:14+00:00

    I would not say this issue is gone. While it does not always happen, and certainly a bit less than before, I have had this happen at least six-times this week (I would say 25% of the time). When the Explorer window pops up, it is not delayed like it used to be. I click on an XLSX file, Excell opens and in less than one second the Explorer window pops open.

    That is annoying but at least that window is not at a random time where I could be typing and then find I was typing in that window.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-12-22T14:20:03+00:00

    ITs not fixed i still have the issue.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-12-05T15:54:26+00:00

    Wait! File Explorer just popped up between us and I can't see you!!!

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-01-06T08:34:25+00:00

    Just for the records, mine is:

    OS: Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise 10.0.22621 Build 22621 (22H2 22621.963)

    System Model: Dell XPS 15 9500

    Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10750H CPU @ 2.60GHz, 2592 Mhz, 6 Core(s), 12 Logical Processor(s)

    Storage: Micron 2200S NVMe 1024GB

    Render device: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti

    Memory: Micron MTA8ATF1G64HZ-3G2J1 8GB 3200Mhz SODIMM x2 (16GB total)

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-01-02T10:04:18+00:00

    Hello Diplocaulus,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    According to your description, this situation started about a month ago, right? That means that at least initially, the File Explorer doesn't have this problem, right?

    Can you recall any operations you performed on the device when this problem occurred? For example, what applications are installed? Has the system been updated? Or have you changed any Settings? It's important to remember as much as you can, because it's likely that this question has something to do with it.

    If you can recall any changes you made or any programs you installed, try to undo the changes and uninstall the corresponding programs. But if you really can't remember anything, please follow my instructions.

    Please perform a clean boot on your device first. By performing a clean boot, this is a mode of disabling third-party services or software, which could help rule out the interference of these elements.

    Disclaimer: A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem.

    After a clean boot, please search for "CMD" in the taskbar and open Command Prompt as an administrator. Type the following two commands respectively, and press Enter to execute the command:

    sfc /scannow

    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

    These two commands are used to repair the system. After executing them, please restart your device and confirm whether the problem still exists in the File Explorer. If the problem still exists, I will provide you with some complicated repair solutions.

    If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

    Best regards,

    Mitchell - | Microsoft community support expert from MSFT

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