Windows 7 -- deselecting windows or programs

Hi, I've been having this problem for quite a while now. I'm not sure quite how to call it, I think it's something like window overriding or something. Anyway, here's what's happening. As I'm typing in any window, whether it be internet explorer, chrome, microsoft word, etc..a couple of seconds later I hear DING DING DING...

The flashing typing bar is no longer there and the top of the window is brighter. The program is no longer selected and I'm now just typing in windows explorer, making the ding sounds. I would have to click on the window again and the top of the window now darkens and I can begin typing, until a couple of seconds or minutes later DING DING DING.

This happens to every program that's in a window and does not happen to any full screen applications such as games, although this does happen in games that are in windowed mode. This really gets annoying especially if you're typing in a report, I can no longer have a smooth typing experience because every other minute or so I would have to click on the window again to begin typing.

I remember I googled this once a while ago...I forget what it was called but I remember something like the window overriding. Apparently I don't think it's exactly called that because google shows no relevant results. Windows XP had a program you can download from Microsoft to stop windows from overriding each other, Windows 7 doesn't have that. Anyone know how to fix this?

I've done several virus scans with Mcafee, nothing looks fishy.

I don't see anything fishy running. This is on my laptop so the only programs I usually don't see are from my Cypress Touchpad, Intel Rapid Store Technology, and some other Intel software.

I'll try the malware and run it when I get the chance.

Thank you for your assistance so far