Question Windows Explorer keeps popping into the foreground ?

[Diplocaulus]

I did a clean install of Windows 11 on my new PC in December 2021. Unfortunately, a year later Windows Explorer windows began to randomly start popping into the foreground. The problem happens about every 60 seconds. This is a serious productivity hurdle. Examples:

- You're typing into a Word document when suddenly Windows Explorer pops into the fore and next thing you know you're inadvertently changing a file name in Explorer;

- You're on a Zoom session when suddenly Windows Explorer pops into the foreground;

- You're watching a video when suddenly Windows Explorer pops into the foreground.

This issue has been known to Microsoft for at least six months, yet no word on when--or if--a fix is coming.

Redirecting

Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Ralston18]

Try running the built in Windows troubleshooters. The troubleshooters may find and fix something.

Corrupted files perhaps: Run "sfc /scannow" and "dism". One of them may find and fix a file problem

FYI:

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-sfc-scannow-to-repair-windows-system-files-2626161

How to use DISM command tool to repair Windows 10 image | Windows Central

More to do:

Look in Task Manager > Startup for any apps, utilities, being launched at start-up. Also look in Task Scheduler for some entry that is triggering/opening Windows Explorer.

Look in Task Manager and Resource Monitor to determine what all is running on the new PC.

Use both tools but only one tool at a time.

Look for any unexpected or unknown (and there could be a few) processes etc. that are running.

You can also use Process Explorer (Microsoft, free) to discover and find running processes and thus identify some culprit.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

Another source for information is Reliabillity History and Event Viewer. Either one or both tools may be capturing an error code, warning, or even an informational event that occurs just before or at the time the Windows Explorer popups appear. If some related event is being logged then a 60 second occurrence rate would have hundreds of entries.

Google as necessary to discover anything that is not recognized. However, do not take any immediate actions until more can be learned. Avoiid any downloads that may claim to fix some problem. Many of those products will show up no matter what problem is occurring.

 

[hotaru.hino]

While I've seen this happen, this only happens if I have an Explorer window open. It also doesn't happen that often when I do have an Explorer window somewhere.

You could also try alternatives

 

[Joseph_138]

Is there an 'Always on top' setting that isn't letting it run in background wndow?

 

[hotaru.hino]

Is there an 'Always on top' setting that isn't letting it run in background wndow?

This issue is the Explorer window randomly popping in the foreground, not it's always staying in the foreground. Also there's no option for this anyway.