Not sure when it happened, but they added a feature to windows that keeps applications from stealing the focus while another application is running.
Now I know this is a band-aid to keep spyware, and other programs from showing popups that steal the focus - but that problem should be fixed at its core, not in this way.
The problem is many times a user will click on a shortcut, or program on the desktop and it just flashes at the bottom. Quite a few of them are confused, and think that the program is "broken"
There is a simple registry fix to get programs to launch when you click on them:
Change this value
HKCU\Control Panel\ForgroundLockTimeout = 1
To turn it back on set it to
HKCU\Control Panel\ForgroundLockTimeout = 20000
The drawback of turning this feature off is that if your system is infected with spyware, then the popups they generate will be allowed to steal the system focus, and display popups right in your face.
For those of you that are not interested in playing in the registry we have written a quick program that will make the change for you:
Forground Lock Change (As always - No Spyware or adware)
Be sure to back up your system before making any registry changes
Posted By: Steve Wiseman on Sunday, April 16, 2006
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