Programs won't have focus when opened

Whenever I open any program on my laptop, the program opens up without focus. I have to click the program window in order to gain focus. If I have another window open already, the new window will open behind the existing one. This happens with every program that I've tried, whether or not I have anything else open at the time.

Some programs that this happens with:

Chrome
Firefox
Notepad++
Pidgin
Full-screen video games

The only time I don't see this problem is when I open up a Windows folder. Those open up with focus just fine. How can I make it so all programs automatically get focus when I open them?

I'm running Windows 7 Professional 32-bit. The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 1501.

DuckTapeAl

Posted 2015-01-21T00:27:30.273

Reputation: 119

did you try fixing your Aero? here: Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Troubleshooting\Appearance and Personalization – dippas – 2015-01-21T00:30:29.097

I have now. It didn't seem to do anything. The problem is still occurring. – DuckTapeAl – 2015-01-21T00:34:02.683

which laptop you are using? – akash ujjwal – 2015-01-21T00:43:12.427

look at this question: http://superuser.com/questions/18383/preventing-applications-from-stealing-focus

– dippas – 2015-01-21T00:48:48.493

You may get some help from this link http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_programs/applications-stealing-focus-reg-key-no-longer/4ee5be7d-31ef-493b-b092-f6f6139f99cd

– akash ujjwal – 2015-01-21T00:49:16.347

I've looked at those links, and neither helps me. The answers to the SE question either don't work in Windows 7 (TweakUI) or involve changing my computer in ways that I really don't want (focus follows mouse). The Microsoft Answers link doesn't help either; there doesn't seem to be a particular process that's ramping up usage when the bug occurs. – DuckTapeAl – 2015-01-21T11:21:41.690

Programs won't have focus when opened

No answers