Windows 7: Window focus is stolen but doesn't go anywhere

Hi I'm having a problem with my windows randomly unfocusing. It's extremely annoying while typing because every few seconds I have to re-click on the window to continue typing. It's like an application is stealing the windows focus but no new window pops up and no window has focus. The problem seems to come and go. For about an hour it won't do it then the next it will happen every few seconds.

I've tried both avast and malwarebytes and neither come up with any infections. My Windows 7 OS is up to date.



Please help, this is especially troublesome considering I have multiple papers to write this week. Thanks

Having the exact same problem.

Unplugged mouse/keyboard, closed a lot of programs, but the issue remains.

Welcome to Seven Forums tmoorman92 and Yannick.

This sounds like you have some program doing an automatic update in the background. Possibly a virus scan may be starting too.

Hi, thanks. Automatic updates might be possible. But it seems to happen randomly. I'll try to remove the McAffee security center. Since I disabled every other program, I hope that will solve it.


edit: Uninstalling McAfee didn't solve the issue. any idea what might be causing this?

Don't leave yourself unprotected, there's a link to MS Security Essentials in my signature. You can use it instead of McAfee. McAfee has been the culprit for some odd issues in the past.
You might stay aware of where your cursor gets parked so it's not on the task bar and accidentally selecting another window.
You can try running SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker to find/correct files if any are corrupted.

Have run latest updates and installed MS security essentials. Problem still doesn't go away. Strange thing is that in the afternoon it gets worse.
Driver issues? (Dell XPS 15z, perhaps dell software)?

Did you try the sfc scan? If this is a laptop it could be overheating if on your lap, bed, or cushion.

Hi. Tried the scan, no issues found. It is indeed a laptop. I've tested it on an open laptop stand, but no improvement.

Perhaps it would help to know exactly where this effect keeps happening? Is it related to a single piece of software like Word or your web browser (whichever that may be) or does it happen every time you type something anywhere?

Also, if the laptop is from Dell, you should check their website for driver updates. If it's not the driver, and not a program running in your systray or background that's causing this, then you should definitely contant Dell support and see what's up.

I've had the same issue with my XPS 15z since I opened the box. I never had McAfee and hadn't loaded any Security SW when I first began to experience the issue. I initially though it was a driver issues (based on some other forums) with my Cypress touchpad but after changing multiple driver versions I've had no luck.

Symptoms sound similar...active window loses focus and doesn't seem to go anywhere. It doesn't matter what my active program is (Chrome, Word, Pinnacle Studio, etc.) even with a blank desktop I'll notice that the active highlighted desktop icon will lose focus.

This occurs when I'm using the computer, and ALSO occurs when I'm not touching or interacting with the computer in any way.

No background apps being updated, not AV scans running, just Poltergeist behavior.