Re: Windows XP Taskbar Silliness

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

Has been a bug for great while. It has to do with Focus.

TweakUI/General/Focus
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Prevent Programs from Stealing Focus - Undo (Line 66)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

When a window that does not have focus is updated by its program, the
default setting prevents it from becoming the foremost (top) window,
instead, it flashes in the taskbar.

HeldUp is the easiest way to stop windows from disappearing behind other
programs. http://www.johnmacintyre.ca/HeldUp.asp

Programs May Start, Quit, Lose, and Gain Focus Randomly
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313176&Product=winxp

Customize Auto Hide Taskbar Settings (Line 190) Right hand side
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Tip:

Tool Tips Hidden Behind Taskbar (Line 321)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm


"Aaron Kelley" <a_kelley@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:uCSp5I9uGHA.4512@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Alright, so, for a long time, I've had this problem in Windows XP. I know
a
few other people who this happens to, but I don't have a solution, so I'm
posting here in the hopes that some of you have seen it before too!

So, the problem is, I'm sitting here using my computer, and I have lots of
windows open. When I click on one of the taskbar buttons to switch
windows,
what happens is, *another* window (seemingly random) pops to the front
when
I click down on the mouse button, and the one I clicked on pops to the
front
when I release it. (When clicking fast, it pretty much appears that both
windows popped to the front at the same time, and the one I requested is
always on top.)

This is annoying for a couple of reasons. First of all, it's visually
distracting. And also, sometimes I want to get two particular windows up
so
that I can drag a file or something between them, and this issue gets in
the
way, particularly when a maximized window pops up when I click my second
button, covering the first window.

If I'm not describing this in a way that makes it easy for you to
understand
what I'm talking about, I'll try to elaborate or post a video. (It may
sound wierd if you've never seen this happen.)

I've tried to search for information on this, but it is difficult to
construct a search about this without just getting tons of pointless
results. This is my first time posting about it.

Has anyone seen this? Is this a Windows bug that just happens, or
something
that only seems to affect my systems? On the chance that anyone else has
seen this, do you know any way to fix it?

Additional notes that might be relevant:
- I am experiencing this behavior on my desktop and on my laptop both. My
desktop is running Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, and my laptop is
running regular x86 Windows XP Professional.
- If I reboot, then it doesn't happen for a while. Once it starts
happening, it doesn't happen on every taskbar click but is pretty easy to
produce by just clicking a few times.
- I occasionally reinstall Windows clean, and I try to keep my systems as
clean as I can, so I have no idea what I might be installing or running
that
may be causing this. I've been seeing it as far back as since before
Windows XP SP2 was relased, I don't remember when it first started.
Generally, the applications I have open are just Windows Explorer,
Outlook,
Firefox, and Trillian Pro, however, I have experienced this behavior which
each one of those not running.
- Doesn't usually happen when I don't have many windows open, however, I
usually have at least 10.

Thanks for any input!

- Aaron



.

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