Application Focus

[Cuc Tu]

Is there a way to stop program from forcing their focus (being brought to the top).

For example, if I am browsing and the website is taking a while, I go to work on a Word document, then when the web page finally loads, IE pops to the top.

I've also had problems with the alt/tab function just not working. The application gets selected on the start menu (at the bottom), but the actual window does not come to the top, so alt/tab does not change applications.

I liked it better when the start menu application would just turn orange or blink.

[mjc]

Which flavor of Windows?

[Paul Komski]

For XP/Vista you could try the Trialware XNeat (http://www.xneat.com/windows-manager/). There's also KeepOnTop (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Other-Desktop-Enhancements/Keep-On-Top.shtml)and there may well be others.

[Cuc Tu]

sorry, i was using XP Pro and IE7, other programs are office 2003 and several other Adobe apps of the same vintage.

[Paul Komski]

For XP you could try the "Virtual Desktop Manager" one of the Power Toys for XP (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx) as a different approach and do your browsing in one desktop but use other applications in other ones.