Fullscreen Programs keep minimizing.

[ProPancakes]

I've been having this problem for months now and have no idea how to fix this.
As the title says my full screen applications keep minimizing when playing games or watching movies. Windowed applications also seem to lose focus almost as though I clicked on the task bar. I've been writing this for a minute and the focus has been lost 4 times already causing me to have to click on the window to get it back into focus.
So if there is anyway I can fix this I'd be grateful

 

[MilesAhead]

Windows Seven does not support full screen mode. As example, open a command prompt window. Hit Alt-Enter. It does not switch to full screen mode. It probably has something to do with the system composition/glass/alpha channel etc..

I would ask around on forums for the games you use what people do to work around it. Maybe run the game on an XP machine etc.. I'm not a gamer so I'm not sure if XPMode makes any difference in this case.

 

[ProPancakes]

Windows Seven does not support full screen mode. As example, open a command prompt window. Hit Alt-Enter. It does not switch to full screen mode. It probably has something to do with the system composition/glass/alpha channel etc..

I would ask around on forums for the games you use what people do to work around it. Maybe run the game on an XP machine etc.. I'm not a gamer so I'm not sure if XPMode makes any difference in this case.

So what you're saying is it's one of Windows 7's "Pro Features" also it happens on all games.

 

[andrew129260]

Something is defiantly wrong here....of course windows 7 can full screen programs.

Do you have an app that maybe is running by the clock that could be grabbing the attention away?

Try this:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html

If the problem no longer occurs, its an app causing it.

 

[ProPancakes]

Is this what you mean?

Also I've tried a clean startup before and it hasn't worked from what I remember

 

[andrew129260]

When did this start happening? You said a couple months ago, but do you remember doing anything different? Any new programs? Etc.

Also please fill out your system information.

What graphics card do you have? Have you checked for an updated driver?

 

[ProPancakes]

When did this start happening? You said a couple months ago, but do you remember doing anything different? Any new programs? Etc.

Also please fill out your system information.

What graphics card do you have? Have you checked for an updated driver?

As I said it just suddenly started happening around 3 months ago. I did a system restore when I found out it was happening to the most the recent restore point. It did nothing. I don't remember installing any new programs.

My graphics card is (1) NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M (2) Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 and I have not checked for an updated driver.

 

[ThrashZone]

It also depends on your definition of Full screen,
There are a few way to go into full screen,
If you ever use the Square box on the top right of open windows/ Don't.
Enlarge the screen by dragging the window to the top/ left of your screen,
Then diagonally drag the bottom/ right to fill the screen.
Then use the F11 key to activate full screen (if necessary)
Some people also go into the Properties of the program/ Shortcut section/ Run: Maximized which is not a good way either this should always be set on Normal window.

 

[MilesAhead]

Hmmm, if W7 can full screen programs then I don't understand why Alt Enter no longer makes a full screen command prompt, silver light doesn't play Netflix streams full screen, and tennis matches when switched to "full screen mode" are windowed(along with HD players like Splash.). All of the above go to full screen in Vista. Not on my (former) W7 machine.

 

[ProPancakes]

It also depends on your definition of Full screen,
There are a few way to go into full screen,
If you ever use the Square box on the top right of open windows/ Don't.
Enlarge the screen by dragging the window to the top/ left of your screen,
Then diagonally drag the bottom/ right to fill the screen.
Then use the F11 key to activate full screen (if necessary)
Some people also go into the Properties of the program/ Shortcut section/ Run: Maximized which is not a good way either this should always be set on Normal window.

Full screen as in no Taskbar or Borders and having to press the Windows key or alt tab to minimize it.

 

[MilesAhead]

It also depends on your definition of Full screen,
There are a few way to go into full screen,
If you ever use the Square box on the top right of open windows/ Don't.
Enlarge the screen by dragging the window to the top/ left of your screen,
Then diagonally drag the bottom/ right to fill the screen.
Then use the F11 key to activate full screen (if necessary)
Some people also go into the Properties of the program/ Shortcut section/ Run: Maximized which is not a good way either this should always be set on Normal window.

The definition I'm talking about is where Windows 7 surrenders control of the video hardware. It either does or doesn't. It doesn't.

 

[ProPancakes]

Also sorry for my lack of computer knowledge and thanks for the help on this. I'm just a gamer who really needs this fixed as it is a massive problem.

 

[ThrashZone]

It also depends on your definition of Full screen,
There are a few way to go into full screen,
If you ever use the Square box on the top right of open windows/ Don't.
Enlarge the screen by dragging the window to the top/ left of your screen,
Then diagonally drag the bottom/ right to fill the screen.
Then use the F11 key to activate full screen (if necessary)
Some people also go into the Properties of the program/ Shortcut section/ Run: Maximized which is not a good way either this should always be set on Normal window.

Full screen as in no Taskbar or Borders and having to press the Windows key or alt tab to minimize it.

Have you ever used the F11 key ?
Once the Normal windows is enlarged as I described the F11 key is the most reliable way to have the Taskbar, Toolbars... go bye-bye.

 

[ThrashZone]

It also depends on your definition of Full screen,
There are a few way to go into full screen,
If you ever use the Square box on the top right of open windows/ Don't.
Enlarge the screen by dragging the window to the top/ left of your screen,
Then diagonally drag the bottom/ right to fill the screen.
Then use the F11 key to activate full screen (if necessary)
Some people also go into the Properties of the program/ Shortcut section/ Run: Maximized which is not a good way either this should always be set on Normal window.

The definition I'm talking about is where Windows 7 surrenders control of the video hardware. It either does or doesn't. It doesn't.

Good point I was only attempting to describe the different way to enter into full screen.

 

[ThrashZone]

Also sorry for my lack of computer knowledge and thanks for the help on this. I'm just a gamer who really needs this fixed as it is a massive problem.

Lets start with the basics,
Right click the programs shortcut and select Properties,
Shortcut section and the Run entry is it set on normal window ?
Then right click your desktop and click on Screen resolution,
Is it set on the Recommended setting ?
Then go to the Computer manufactures website/ Help-Support sections and look for Video card driver updates.
Most will have a utility to auto search your machine for the existing drivers and check for new releases.
You can also get it from Intel directly,
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/default.aspx

 

[sf0647]

I have Windows 8 64bit. and I am having the same issues so its not related to just 7.

 

[JDobbsy1987]

If it helps anyone, a similar issue was mentioned over at the Microsoft community and an answer has been selected.

Windows lose focus, seemingly at random - Microsoft Community

Cheers,
Jamie