Window focus is stolen but doesn't go anywhere

tmoorman92 · Sep 12, 2011

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

Yannick · Sep 21, 2011

Having the exact same problem.

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

Britton30 · Sep 21, 2011

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.

Yannick · Sep 22, 2011

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?

Britton30 · Sep 23, 2011

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 http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html#post14392 to find/correct files if any are corrupted.

Yannick · Oct 1, 2011

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)?

Britton30 · Oct 1, 2011

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

Yannick · Oct 4, 2011

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

Gornot · Oct 4, 2011

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.

JAC73 · Oct 8, 2011

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.

JAC73 · Oct 9, 2011

Just found this on the Dell forum. The link takes you to page 6 which includes a couple different options to try that have shown some success:

XPS 15Z trackpad never really shut down when using usb mouse - Laptop General Hardware Forum - Laptop - Dell Community

UPDATED: Based on the recommendations provide at the link above I uninstalled Dell Quickset. I rebooted just to make sure everything was removed and have NOT experienced the problem since.

Yannick · Oct 11, 2011

uninstalled Quickset & Stage software.
I still see the window flickering, but the focus remains on the active one.

JAC73 · Oct 11, 2011

Yannick said:
uninstalled Quickset & Stage software.
I still see the window flickering, but the focus remains on the active one.

Cross referencing the Dell forum
XPS 15Z trackpad never really shut down when using usb mouse - Laptop General Hardware Forum - Laptop - Dell Community

There is another bug users are seeing that seems to be tied to the Cypress touchpad.

trs · Feb 10, 2012

Windows Focus Stolen

Thank you Jac73 for erasing many weeks of frustration with this focus stolen problem and thank the person who articulated the problem in such a way that I could find it. I was really struggling with how to explain it. Removing the Dell Quickset worked!! You're the best!

djgeel · Mar 4, 2015

Have the same problem

windows 7 have updated yesterday night and firefox. Since this morning, i have to click on everything after a few seconds cos it looks like it's become inactive. From firefox to a single windows explore folder....
Tried many solutions but nothing help. Is someone here who can give advice or help fixing this ?

Thx everyone.

Layback Bear · Mar 4, 2015

Welcome to our forum djgeel.
If it was my computer I would do thins in this order.

1. Reboot a couple times.
2. Run sfc /scannow as per this tutorial.

By Brink:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

Let us know the results.

djgeel · Mar 8, 2015

Problem solve

First thx to reply,
my problem seems to be an usb key, i take it out, re-boot and the problem was gone..

Thx anyway

Layback Bear · Mar 8, 2015

Could you explain what you mean by (usb key)?

djgeel · Mar 9, 2015

well, i realise it start about the same time i start watching some pics family send me on a usb key/cruze or whatever, so i take out the usb from the pc, re-boot him and the windows focus was back, so it looks like my problem was coming from there. Why ? I have no ideas.... maybe it have nothing to do with, but the focus was back when i take out the usb key and i try a lot of others things before i try the usb out.

ah yes, it was about the usb key and it's meaning no ?
you know the little thing with a lot of different shapes or color, you can put date inside (whatever you want, from movie to music, text....), it come with a size storage 2gb to 32 gb for bigger (they could be even bigger but i'm not shure so better check before.)

Layback Bear · Mar 9, 2015

I see but I never heard them called a key.

You could just have a bad install on the USB flash memory stick or your system might not be able to read the format the data was installed.

Window focus is stolen but doesn't go anywhere

New member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

New member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

R.I.P. 7/09/2014

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

New member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

R.I.P. 7/09/2014

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

New member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

R.I.P. 7/09/2014

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

New member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Professional Slacker

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

New member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

New member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

New member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

New member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

New member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

New member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

3 Brain Cells

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

New member

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

3 Brain Cells

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

New member

Attachments

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

3 Brain Cells

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Similar threads

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer

My Computer