how do I get the top-most window to always grab focus?

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

  1. Posts : 10,485
    W7 Pro SP1 64bit
       #11

    No problem. Glad it is working more to your liking now.

    Thanks for posting back with our findings.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #12

    This issue is still creating problems for me.

    The issue has improved somewhat since making the Registry setting change, but it hasn't gone away.

    Is it possible to file a bug-report with Microsoft about this issue? Doesn't this bother other users? This issue is so bad I find using Windows a major pain because I'm constantly having to get the window to have focus before I can do anything with it.

    Any advice you have I'd be thankful for :)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1
    7 x64 Ultimate
       #13

    UsernameIssues said:
    swinchester4 said:
    .....You can prove it: open Notepad and type a few letters. Then open Internet Explorer. Now close Internet Explorer. The focus does not return to Notepad......

    open Notepad
    okay, I did that via the start menu


    type a few letters
    okay, I typed a few letters into the notepad editor


    Then open Internet Explorer
    okay, but to do that I clicked on the IE shortcut that is pinned to the taskbar and therein lies the problem: I have now made an entry in the window Z order stack for the taskbar.


    Now close Internet Explorer
    okay, I've closed IE and the focus reverts to the last item that was in focus - the taskbar.


    To prove this z-order to yourself:
    open notepad
    open IE
    click on notepad to bring it into focus
    click in IE to bring it into focus
    close IE
    notepad should now be in focus

    I do not know if this is behavior can be changed based on the theme settings, but my quick testing indicates that the taskbar (or quick launch area) is a part of the window z-order stack for W7, XP, W2k. My testing in Vista and W98 seemed to show that the taskbar never enters the window z-order stack.

    I realise this is an old thread, however a search reveals no other threads about this exact issue (although, there are plenty of threads related to similar issues regarding stealing of focus - but not this exact issue).

    So the problem is exactly as UsernameIssues above has explained it - when clicking in the taskbar to launch an application, the taskbar becomes the last thing to have focus, and therefore when closing the window that was opened from the taskbar, the taskbar grabs focus, since the taskbar is the last thing to have focus.

    The taskbar should not be grabbing focus, there is literally no reason why the taskbar needs to have focus. Focus should be handed to the last window that had focus!.

    So, is there any way to completely obliterate the stupid taskbar from having focus? Perhaps some registry setting that disables the taskbar from ever getting focus?
      My Computer


 
Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:38.
Find Us