New program window appears behind all other open windows on a Windows 2000-based, Windows XP-based, or Windows Server 2003-based computer (886217)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you start a program from another program, the new program window may appear behind all other open windows. For example, when you use Microsoft Word to open a Word attachment file in Microsoft Outlook, the new program window may appear behind all other open windows. Additionally, the new-window icon flashes on the taskbar. This symptom occurs on a Microsoft Windows 2000-based computer, on a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer, or on a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer.

RESOLUTION

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this issue, use either of the following methods.

Modify the registry

To resolve this issue, modify the value of the ForegroundLockTimeout registry entry in Registry Editor. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. In Registry Editor, locate and then click the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

  3. In the right pane, locate and then double-click ForegroundLockTimeout.
  4. Under Base, click Decimal, type 0 in the Value data box, and then click OK.

    Note The default decimal value for the ForegroundLockTimeout registry entry is set as 200000.
  5. Quit Registry Editor.
  6. Restart your computer.

Use the Tweak UI utility

To resolve this issue, use the Microsoft Tweak UI utility to change the default windows settings. To do this, follow the steps for your operating system:

Windows 2000

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Tweak UI.
  2. Click the General tab, click to clear the Prevent applications from stealing focus check box, and then click OK.
  3. Close Control Panel.

Windows XP and Windows Server 2003

  1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Powertoys for Windows XP, and then click Tweak UI.
  2. Expand General, and then click Focus.
  3. Click to clear the Prevent applications from stealing focus check box, and then click OK.

MORE INFORMATION

To download the Tweak UI utility, visit the following Microsoft Web sites:

For Windows 2000:

http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/downloads/powertoys/networking/nttweakui.asp

For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Important Microsoft does not provide support for the Tweak UI utility.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:7/8/2005
Keywords:kbtshoot KB886217 kbAudITPRO
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