What Is Focus Stealing in Windows?
Focus stealing is sometimes due to malicious programming by thesoftwaredeveloper that’s doing it.
Can You Stop Programs From Stealing Focus?
However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have options.
If you don’t already know what program is to blame, a free tool calledWindow Focus Loggercan help.
Uninstall the offending program.
Free programs likeCCleaneralso provide easy ways todisable programs that start automatically with Windows.
Reinstall the software programthat’s to blame.
If there’s a newer version of the program available, download that version to reinstall.
Check the program’s options for tweaks that may be causing the focus stealing, and disable them.
get in touch with the software maker and let them know that their program is stealing focus.
Read through ourHow to Talk to Tech Supportfor help properly communicating the problem.
Changes to the Windows Registry are made in these steps.
Take great care in making only the changes described below.
It’s recommended that youback up the registry keys you’re modifyingin these steps as an extra precaution.
Continue to expand folders until you reach theHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panelregistry key.
Select theDesktopkey underControl Panel.
On the right-hand side of the editor, locate and double-click theForegroundLockTimeoutDWORD.
In theEdit DWORD Valuewindow that appears, set theValue datafield to30d40.
confirm the option to the right is set toHexadecimal.
cycle your computerso the changes you made can take effect.
Once installed, head toFocusunder theGeneralarea, and check the box toPrevent applications from stealing focus.
Honestly, though, if you’re careful, the registry-based process explained above is perfectly safe and effective.
you’re free to alwaysuse the backup you made to restore the registryif things don’t work out.
