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Daniel Snarr
5 discussion posts
Hello,

I'm having an issue when trying to switch between programs in Windows 10. The problem is that I'll have multiple windows on a monitor and when switching between them, the window isn't always brought to the front and will stay behind the previously focused window.

An example of this is I will have Skype focused. I go to the task bar and click on Chrome. Chrome will indicate that it has focus by having the opaque bar beneath the program on the task bar. But, Chrome will stay behind Skype and it will not bring it to the front.

It is even worse with Windows Explorer. It rarely will let other programs come to the front. But, Skype will sometimes let it happen.

Here's what I've noticed in trying to reproduce this issue:
- Non-Microsoft programs tend to have the biggest problem with staying behind other programs even after being given focus.
- Microsoft programs rarely get stuck behind other programs (Windows Explorer, Skype, etc.)
- The same program can get stuck behind itself (i.e. a program that has a separate settings window that doesn't force focus from the main program)
- If your current focus on a program is a text box, it seems to work better when trying to come to the front (i.e. when submitting this thread, I was able to successfully go back and forth between Chrome and Skype 95% of the time).
- The speed of window switching does not effect the outcome (clicking on the task bar item immediately vs hovering over it for 5+ seconds)
- Once the window has focus, you can move it around using WIN+Arrow Keys and it stays behind the other window. It can even be moved to a separate monitor and then back to the previous one and still be behind it.
- Hovering over the task bar item and selecting the window from the preview pane has the same results. You can hover over the preview to show the window. But, as soon as you click it, the previous window stays on top.
- This happens on ALL monitors and ALL task bars.
- It has the same result when selecting a window from one monitor and moving it to another monitor using WIN + Arrow Keys.
- Restarting DisplayFusion fixes the issues mentioned above. But, only for a short period of time.
- Sometimes you can click back and forth to get the other window to come to the front (if it works, it would only have to be done a few times, 2 max).

I'm on the very latest Beta build.
Jan 12, 2016 (modified Jan 12, 2016)  • #1
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Do you have your taskbars on the left or right side? If so, this is a known issue, and at the moment, there are a couple of workarounds:
  • Enable the two Advanced Settings shown in the attached screenshot and restart DisplayFusion, or,
  • Set the taskbars to be on the bottom.

This seems to be a bug in Windows 10 when frequently setting windows as TOPMOST, which DisplayFusion has to do for the taskbar previews, tooltips, etc. Another third-party application (Synergy) triggered this same issue in Windows 10, and they were forced to disable all TOPMOST calls in their code to work around it as well.

We have this on our list, so if/when we're able to find a permanent fix, we'll be sure to let you know!

Thanks!
• Attachment: SetWindowPos-Settings.png [63,335 bytes]
SetWindowPos-Settings.png
SetWindowPos-Settings.png
Jan 14, 2016 (modified Jan 14, 2016)  • #2
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Luis D.
3 discussion posts
Quote:
Do you have your taskbars on the left or right side? If so, this is a known issue, and at the moment, there are a couple of workarounds:
  • Enable the two Advanced Settings shown in the attached screenshot and restart DisplayFusion, or,
  • Set the taskbars to be on the bottom.

This seems to be a bug in Windows 10 when frequently setting windows as TOPMOST, which DisplayFusion has to do for the taskbar previews, tooltips, etc. Another third-party application (Synergy) triggered this same issue in Windows 10, and they were forced to disable all TOPMOST calls in their code to work around it as well.

We have this on our list, so if/when we're able to find a permanent fix, we'll be sure to let you know!

Thanks!


I was going to post about this problem too. I have updated to the beta, and have enabled both settings, hopefully it works, will report back with the results. Thank you.
Mar 31, 2016  • #3
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Jack129
3 discussion posts
Hello,

I'm still having this same issue. For example, I have two windows on my secondary monitor. When I alt+tab, I see it switch on the taskbar, but the window doesn't actually change. Sometimes I even have to minimize the window to see anything.

I do have the two changes mentioned earlier and I'm on Steam's V. 9.2.4. Would running DisplayFushion as Administrator help?

Thanks!
Jun 26, 2018  • #4
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
@Jack: Running as administrator shouldn't make any difference, no. Are your taskbars on the side?
Jun 26, 2018  • #5
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Jack129
3 discussion posts
Indeed (which fits better for widescreen). But sadly the fix from earlier doesn't help. Is there another method now?

Thanks for the response!
Jun 26, 2018  • #6
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
There isn't another method, no. I'll move my taskbars to the side and see if I can reproduce this issue again.
Jun 30, 2018  • #7
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
I haven't been able to reproduce this so far. Could everyone in this thread attach a copy of their Troubleshooting info?

  • Open the Settings > Troubleshooting tab
  • Click the "Export Info to File" button
  • Reply with the file attached

Thanks!
Jul 4, 2018  • #8
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AlainCh2
90 discussion posts
I don't know if I can help it here Keith.

Main screen right: W taskbar -> Right vertical
Secondary Left: DF taskbar -> Left vertical
(so I have no taskars on the monitor junction sides)

Sometime a window stay back even if active...
... I take it from secondary and slide it on main ...
... just to get a surprizing movement behind existing windows in main monitor.
It's fun and don't happens frequently...

B U T

there is no way to bring it in front. Even tried Taskmanager "bring to front option"

(WORKAROUND: you click twice on the taskbar's program icon - one to minimize, the other bring to front)

Alain

Ps: to move between monitor I usually drag them or use DF button, discovered last week Double Central Click on titlebar.
It happened to stay back in : dragging, DF button ... not yet got it on DCC
• Attachment: DisplayFusionDebugInfo.zip [23,856 bytes]
Jul 8, 2018 (modified Jul 8, 2018)  • #9
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AlainCh2
90 discussion posts
And... here we go.
It just happened again and got it with the phone.

Sorry for video bad quality ... if not clear enough what actions I did, just ask.

BTW: Double Central Click doesn't change the situation, as dragging or using button.

Regards

Alain
• Attachment: VID_20180709_075207.mp4 [11,245,694 bytes]
Jul 9, 2018  • #10
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Ok, thanks! I'll keep testing here to see if I can get it to happen again.
Jul 9, 2018  • #11
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
I've been running my taskbars on the side for a while now, but haven't run into any issues yet. How long does it usually take before it happens on your system? And is there anything in particular that seems to trigger it?
Aug 1, 2018  • #12
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Jack129
3 discussion posts
Not sure. Next time it happens, I'll try to get a recording.
Aug 1, 2018  • #13
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Sounds good, thanks!
Aug 1, 2018  • #14
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AlainCh2
90 discussion posts
it can happen 3 time in a day or once in a week.....
.... and is not a foreseeable consequence of actions or of a situation.

I just call back a window to main, and it stay in the back.

Today, for the first time,
---> I got one on main monitor staying "last under" calling it back from minimized.
No way to make it top :-)) ... Had to move all windows staying in front of it to secondary...

... you never realize how many windows you have active... unless you have to move all of them!
( only >>> 8 multitab browser's + 2 monitoring + 1 explorer + a dialog )
I was in need of the information, located in that minimized window, to fill in the dialog !!

Murphy laws

Alain
Aug 2, 2018  • #15
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
I can't seem to reproduce this here no matter what. It is possible that another application could be contributing to the problem (check out this thread for some examples: https://superuser.com/questions/877533/windows-are-acting-as-if-they-are-always-on-top).

Do you guys have any other applications that set windows as topmost?
Aug 2, 2018  • #16
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AlainCh2
90 discussion posts
OK, thanks for the leed.

I got a sensible suggestion in one of the forums:
"When the situation with windows on top arises again ,,,....,,, start quitting/killing all tools. Be sensitive when it will STOP happening. This way I've caught Remote Desktop and Team Viewer when they were doing their strange side effects."

I will do just that.

Lot of small utilities running around:
Some I remember, some not and some are not even present in TaskManager because they run as service.
I post some that will help me and hopefully we can check if there is a match!

Shortlist:
---------------------
Utilities starting without any control

. TaskbarActivate (avoid Taskbars gettting stuck - 11 years) [behind W taskbar]
. Windows Borderless Gaming (recent - after noticing issue - 6 weeks)
. FB-Traffic (FritzBox routers monitoring - from May) [Window visible 2nd monitor]
. FoxitReader ( PDF - 8 years)
- Discord ( not always running)
. GetRight (downloader - 2001).
. Bluetooth monitor - NoName (2 months)
- Netgear Genie (Net/router monitor - end May)
. WarGaming Update (updater - 1 year)
. FBackup7 (automatic backup system - 1 year)
- NetBalancer 9. (connection monitor - 3 months) [Window visible 2nd monitor]
. WinPatrol Plus (System safety control - 2004)
. EarTrumpet (volume manager - 3 years)
. Extreme Copy (Filexplorer add-on - 8 years)
, Classic Shell (many years)
. DF
. DropBox
. HuaweiSuite
-- TeamViewer Service
. IOBitUninstaller

--------
Active programs (allways running)

PingPlotter (Netcheck grapher - 12 years)
ThunderBird (mails manager - 10 years)
PaleMoon (FF like browser - 12 years)
OSK.exe (virtual KB - managed by WBG #2 - few months)

Alain
Aug 2, 2018 (modified Aug 2, 2018)  • #17
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AlainCh2
90 discussion posts
OOoooooohhhh !

TeamViewer Service !!! (as was noted by mentioned user !)

I'll stop that right now and report back if nothing happens in ONE WEEK.

Alain
Aug 2, 2018  • #18
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Sounds good, thanks Alain!
Aug 3, 2018  • #19
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AlainCh2
90 discussion posts
Sorry to be late...
... building a new PC after 10 years..
As the previous was at that time,
and it that lasted till now, still giving silent good performance,
it will be a monster. (i7-8700k, gtx1080, liquid cooler .... and a "Ferrari" case)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/btbz32d5i1bqori/IMG-20180810-WA0021.jpeg?dl=0

Reporting back :
>>> No more active windows under.
_______________________________________________
Keith BTW: may I re-activate DF on my new pc?

!!! it will use the same monitors !!!

;-)

Alain
Aug 11, 2018  • #20
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Kevin F.
456 discussion posts
Oh an actual fix for this issue finally?!

I mentioned this months ago and got nowhere...

Licenses are per user, not per computer, says so right on the pro purchase page~!
Aug 13, 2018  • #21
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AlainCh2
90 discussion posts
hmmm....
Display Fusion works on monitors.....

...... and the monitors will be the same !

:laugh:

Alain
Aug 14, 2018  • #22
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
You can re-use your license on the new computer, yep! Pro Standard licenses are per-computer, but if the old computer is replaced, you can use it on the new one :)
Aug 14, 2018  • #23
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V@no
97 discussion posts
I also use TeamViewer, but this issue didn't start until vertical DF taskbar was made top-most
I also have NetMeter window staying always top-most and whenever I play a video in PotPlayer, it's window also stays top-most.

Why vertical taskbars act differently then horizontal?
I mean the horizontal taskbar is top-most, but it seems people started having issue after vertical taskbar got top-most treatment...
Aug 24, 2018 (modified Aug 27, 2018)  • #24
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
The topmost code for vertical vs. horizontal taskbars isn't any different in DF. It appears to be a Windows 10 bug related to the desktop work area, which is different when the taskbar is vertical :(
Aug 29, 2018  • #25
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Oliver Kopp
12 discussion posts
Same issue here. Display fusion 10 beta 7. Windows 10. Taskbar screen 1: left. Screen 2 is the main screen with Windows task bar. As tools, there is Chrome, Firefox, IntelliJ, and Skype opened.
Nov 17, 2021  • #26
Owen Muhlethaler (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Hi Oliver,

Do the advanced settings Keith mentioned in post #2 fix it up for you?

Thanks!
Nov 17, 2021  • #27
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Oliver Kopp
12 discussion posts
Quote:
Do the advanced settings Keith mentioned in post #2 fix it up for you?


Partially. Mostly it works. I just had the issue with Microsoft Teams. Not that well reproducible though.
Nov 26, 2021  • #28
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Oliver Kopp
12 discussion posts
Directly after activating the multi-monitor-taskbar, it did not work. I had to open DisplayFusion settings, check the above two settings (which were set as proposed), close the settings and then it worked.
Jan 4, 2022  • #29
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Oliver Kopp
12 discussion posts
Note that is a known issue as described at https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/windows-10-known-issues/?ID=e71e1f5e-9e07-4f7d-b179-22253db2c30f.
Proposal: DisplayFusion should set the "SetWindowPos: Disallow TopMost Calls" option in Settings when starting the first time and seeing it runs on Windows 10.
Jan 4, 2022 (modified Jan 4, 2022)  • #30
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V@no
97 discussion posts
https://www.displayfusion.com/Discussions/View/windows-10-known-issues/?ID=e71e1f5e-9e07-4f7d-b179-22253db2c30f
Quote:

Can't Fix: Windows not coming to front when clicked (this is a Windows 10 bug triggered by any program that uses TOPMOST on its windows). Workaround: Enable the "SetWindowPos: Disallow TopMost Calls" option in Settings > Advanced Settings.

This workaround is confusing. Which option do we "enable":
    TopMost will be allowed if requested
    TopMost will never be allowed
Feb 10, 2024 (modified Feb 10, 2024)  • #31
Owen Muhlethaler (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
You'll set it to "TopMost will never be allowed"
Feb 12, 2024  • #32
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