Mouse Hover Makes Window Active - Enable

How to Activate a Window by Hovering Over it with the Mouse Pointer​

   Information

This will allow you to Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse pointer for a second to make it easier to switch between open windows.

hello all.
I've been reading this great forum passively for a short while now, its quite the wonderful resource.
what i could not find, though, was information on how to focus on windows by simply hovering over them with the mouse.

Back in XP, you could enable this with Tweak UI, which called it X-mouse.
It was great, i didn't have to click on a window to work in it.
but how to enable this in 7?



OPTION #1
As this article points out, you can switch windows by hovering if you enable it through:
Control Panel> Ease of Access> Change How Your Mouse Works
scroll down, check box "Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse"
this method raises windows to the front when you hover over them.

OPTION #2
For a true X-mouse experience, you could use this third party software TXMouse:
True X-Mouse Gizmo for Windows
if you are familiar with Linux x-mouse behaviour, you might appreciate its other functions.




OPTION #3
If you don't need those extra functions, you can make a couple swift changes in the registry and achieve the same effect:
[Thanks to original commenter unpaidbill for this particular option]
Step #1:
Open regedit, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Edit UserPreferenceMask value to be 9F 3E 07 80 12 00 00 00
[You should only have to modify the first pair]
NOTE: Default value is 98 12 07 80 12 00 00 00.

Step #2:
Also in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Edit ActiveWndTrkTimeout, change 'Base' to Decimal and put in 150 as the 'Value Data'
NOTE: Default value is 500.

[this value is time in milliseconds that it takes for the focus to change.
to avoid some issues with the taskbar I recommended using a value like 150 or so,
but if you'd like to have a different delay before the window loses focus, set it to whatever you like.]

Step #3:
Log off and log back in

   Information

(Added by John Galt)

Here is the registry key to do that if you don't want to edit the registry yourself. View attachment Hover window select.reg

Here is the registry key to restore the default values. View attachment Default Windows hover.reg

This results in windows being active (but not being raised) when you hover over them.

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Open Items with a Single-Click or Double-Click in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Point to Select using Single-click to Open an Item
• How to Select Items with Check Boxes in Windows 7

 

[studioCJF]

I just tried it in Windows 7 Pro. I needed to set the DWORD to "ActiveWndTrkTimeout" to get that to work. I changed the DWORD back to "ActiveWndTrackTimeout" and the delay didn't occur. I checked by clicking on the uparrow thingy in the systray to see more info. Also, I can now see a small (but noticeable delay when hovering over another window.

erple2

Did you change the DWORD name when you did this? I concur that "ActiveWndTrkTimeout" is the entry that controls this delay setting... But what I'm still trying to confirm is... do we need both DWORD entries?

Thanks for your input

 

[RogerR]

? I concur that "ActiveWndTrkTimeout" is the entry that controls this delay setting... But what I'm still trying to confirm is... do we need both DWORD entries?

I have ActiveWndTrkTimeout at (150) and
ActiveWndTrackTimeout at (0) and it works for me.

 

[erple2]

I just tried it in Windows 7 Pro. I needed to set the DWORD to "ActiveWndTrkTimeout" to get that to work. I changed the DWORD back to "ActiveWndTrackTimeout" and the delay didn't occur. I checked by clicking on the uparrow thingy in the systray to see more info. Also, I can now see a small (but noticeable delay when hovering over another window.

erple2

Did you change the DWORD name when you did this? I concur that "ActiveWndTrkTimeout" is the entry that controls this delay setting... But what I'm still trying to confirm is... do we need both DWORD entries?

Thanks for your input

I'm not sure I understand your question, but here is what I did:

1. Change the DWORD named "UserPreferencesMask" to "9f 3e 07 80 12 00 00 00" (the 9e changed to 9f)
2. add a DWORD called "ActiveWndTrackTimeout", with value 150 (decimal)

Result? While focus follows mouse works, there is no delay. If I change the DWORD's name in 2 above to "ActiveWndTrkTimeout", then the delay works. I do not have a DWORD named "ActiveWndTrackTimeout" anymore. Does that answer the question?

 

[studioCJF]

If I change the DWORD's name in 2 above to "ActiveWndTrkTimeout", then the delay works. I do not have a DWORD named "ActiveWndTrackTimeout" anymore. Does that answer the question?

erple2...
Yes I believe it does. I am now assuming we can delete the "ActiveWndTrackTimeout" DWORD if we have both that and the "ActiveWndTrkTimeout" DWORD

After I re-read the original post and also googled this setting a bit I found out that the reg file you provided has a typo. Your key uses the word "Track" and it should be the letters "Trk"
(note bold text in keys below)

Your Key: "ActiveWndTrackTimeout"=dword:00000096
Correct Key: "ActiveWndTrkTimeout"=dword:00000096

So therefore I believe that the "ActiveWndTrackTimeout" DWORD was added to the registry when I merged the linked *.reg files provided by John Galt in the green information box included in the original post that has the "Track" typo

John Galt...
I just checked those files you have linked in the first post and they still have the the "ActiveWndTrackTimeout" DWORD typo... you may want to update those with the correct "ActiveWndTrkTimeout" DWORD

 

[Mystiqz]

does anyone know of any software or registry settings to get the active window to not come to the foreground but still stay active so I can scroll or type? Tweak UI does this for winxp. Is there anything equivalent like that for WIndows 7? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[fatedquest]

does anyone know of any software or registry settings to get the active window to not come to the foreground but still stay active so I can scroll or type? Tweak UI does this for winxp. Is there anything equivalent like that for WIndows 7? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Yeah, this is more practical. The setting in the control panel bring the window the the foreground, which is annoying and useless.

 

[erple2]

does anyone know of any software or registry settings to get the active window to not come to the foreground but still stay active so I can scroll or type? Tweak UI does this for winxp. Is there anything equivalent like that for WIndows 7? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Yeah, this is more practical. The setting in the control panel bring the window the the foreground, which is annoying and useless.

Option 3 of the first page tells you how to do this. Don't use or set Option 1, and you should be good to go. The delay is set so that some behavior works fine. I had an issue with selecting the "additional hidden" icons on the systray (ie, I could click on the up arrow to show the hidden items in the systray, but as soon as I started to move the mouse to one of the hidden items, the mini-window that shows the hidden items disappeared). Setting the delay to "150" (milliseconds) seemed to solve the problem for me, plus had a minimal impact on the normal behavior on the "focus follows mouse" behavior. BTW, the active window does NOT have to be the top window if you go with Option 3.

 

[Mystiqz]

thanks..option 3 is exactly what i was looking for

 

[fatedquest]

Option 3 of the first page tells you how to do this. Don't use or set Option 1, and you should be good to go. The delay is set so that some behavior works fine. I had an issue with selecting the "additional hidden" icons on the systray (ie, I could click on the up arrow to show the hidden items in the systray, but as soon as I started to move the mouse to one of the hidden items, the mini-window that shows the hidden items disappeared). Setting the delay to "150" (milliseconds) seemed to solve the problem for me, plus had a minimal impact on the normal behavior on the "focus follows mouse" behavior. BTW, the active window does NOT have to be the top window if you go with Option 3.

Thanks. Exactly what I want it to do now.

 

[thenewguy]

Just as a followup, my fresh install of Win 7 Pro x64 already had a key of ActiveWndTrackTimeout. Changing that value did nothing. I had to add a new key of ActiveWndTrkTimeout and set that one.

 

[anuarbin]

i really miss this feature as i migrate to 7.
tq very much

 

[DerickA]

The issue I'm having is that when in Explorer, I can't use the scroll wheel when moving from the folder pane to the file pane without FIRST clicking somewhere in the file pane. Years ago I had a mouse driver that allows that and haven't seen that functionality for quite a while now. If anyone knows how to get the scroll wheel to work by placing the cursor within the pane (without having to click inside of that pane), please share how it's done. I miss that functionality!

FYI, the functionality I'm looking for in Explorer does work in Thunderbird. Clicking on a folder, I can hover over the emails list pane and begin scrolling that window with the wheel without having to click somewhere within it first.

I'm using Win7 and WizMouse 1.0.0.7 gave me just what your looking for.

 

[L0stKeys]

PSA:
If OPTION #1 is already in place the delay doesn't kick in until you restart (OKAY/APPLY) the feature in EAC. I was having an annoying time trying to figure out how to get the delay to work on my laptop. With the correct registry changes in place, logging off and/or rebooting was not enough for me.

 

[rplum]

does anyone know of any software or registry settings to get the active window to not come to the foreground but still stay active so I can scroll or type? Tweak UI does this for winxp. Is there anything equivalent like that for WIndows 7? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Yeah, this is more practical. The setting in the control panel bring the window the the foreground, which is annoying and useless.

Option 3 of the first page tells you how to do this. Don't use or set Option 1, and you should be good to go. The delay is set so that some behavior works fine. I had an issue with selecting the "additional hidden" icons on the systray (ie, I could click on the up arrow to show the hidden items in the systray, but as soon as I started to move the mouse to one of the hidden items, the mini-window that shows the hidden items disappeared). Setting the delay to "150" (milliseconds) seemed to solve the problem for me, plus had a minimal impact on the normal behavior on the "focus follows mouse" behavior. BTW, the active window does NOT have to be the top window if you go with Option 3.

I'm not sure what you are referring to--first page of what? Thanks!

 

[Brink]

Hello Rplum, and welcome to Seven Forums.

They are referring to the tutorial on the first page/post in this thread. At the bottom and top right corners of this webpage, you will see a "Page # of 6" box. You would just need to click on the "First" option to go to the first page. That's all.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[KotaXor]

Thanks for this...edit the reg file item to "ActiveWndTrkTimeout" instead of "ActiveWndTrackTimeout" turn out fine. Previously, I am unable to click any thing in the "hidden" notification. I deleted the "ActiveWndTrackTimeout" from the reg. Well done and thanks.

 

[Graviton]

Updated guide for those with custom settings

The 9F 3E 07 80 12 00 00 00 code is for those that use Windows' (you have a decent enough computer system ) recommended default setting.

I've changed some of Windows' advanced settings:Type systempropertiesperformance in the start menu and hit enter.
All of these advanced settings affect the above code. For example my UserPreferenceMask value with...

no Active Window Tracking, no Z-Order Activation
94 3C 03 80 12 00 00 00

Active Window Tracking, no Z-Order Activation
95 3C 03 80 12 00 00 00

Active Window Tracking, Z-Order Activation
D5 3C 03 80 12 00 00 00

Because I've un-check-marked menu fading, shadows under windows & smooth scrolling in list boxes.

Registry edit guide/tool for advanced system settings
http://www.silisoftware.com/tools/tweakui.php

Use the above tool to generate registry codes for your preferred setting. Go to the registry key in Option #3 of the original post HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop. Change your UserPreferenceMask value to the one given by the above tool.

or

Simply set your custom advanced settings. Go to the registry key in Option #3 of the original post. Save your new default code.

• Add 1 hex to the first digit pair to get active window tracking without z-order activation.
• Add 41 to the first digit pair to get active window tracking with z-order activation.

Log Off ––> Log On and your done.


NOTE:

• Z-Order Activation does not work without Active Window Tracking. So adding 40 to the digits won't do anything.
• You will want to adjust the ActiveWndTrkTimeout value to something above zero. I use 333 ms in decimal = 0000014d in hex.

 

[Arizone]

Just wondering,

Is it possible to apply method 3 (by modifying registry) without logging off ?

I wrote little piece in C#, which can enable or disable focus window on mouse over
and I would like to improve it. Maybe there is a way to enforce Windows System to apply focus window on mouse over by, i don't know, another changes in registry or calling some system functions in C# code.

Maybe someone can help?

 

[Imposter]

Good old Option 3 is almost what I was looking for. When I go to click over to a window that's behind another, sometimes it opens and becomes foreground and active, but sometimes it becomes active without coming in front of other windows. If I click the title bar in that case, it comes to the front. I believe this ordering of windows is z-order, but I can't figure out what's actually creating that order. Is there a combination of settings that will allow this version: hovering switches control to the new window (so mouse scrolling works) but doesn't bring it to the front, AND clicking the window always brings it to front? My current settings don't achieve this. Thanks for your guidance!

 

[Dixon Butz]

Good old Option 3 is almost what I was looking for. When I go to click over to a window that's behind another, sometimes it opens and becomes foreground and active, but sometimes it becomes active without coming in front of other windows. If I click the title bar in that case, it comes to the front. I believe this ordering of windows is z-order, but I can't figure out what's actually creating that order. Is there a combination of settings that will allow this version: hovering switches control to the new window (so mouse scrolling works) but doesn't bring it to the front, AND clicking the window always brings it to front? My current settings don't achieve this. Thanks for your guidance!

Your halfway there. Use this for Win7 x64 to keep the windows from coming to the front when mousing over.
Set the raise time before unchecking Auto raise

XMouseSetting.zip - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage

You may be able to scroll the window that your mouse is over.
If not you need this to scroll the moused over window without clicking the window.
Make sure it runs on startup.

WizMouse