A question please.

[TransitJohn]

So I'm not a noob, and in fact pretty much help everyone else I know out with hardware, software, and firmware issues. However, I have a question which I can't find the answer for, and thought I'd post here at the "meeting of the minds" :P
For my job, we have to vpn through IE to check email...don't ask, it's just a requirement. However, I like to leave that window open when I'm at home to alt-tab to throughout the day to check email. What I don't like is IE's extremely annoying habit of "stealing" focus, and coming to the foreground whenever it wants, over all other open windows and even the desktop. Is there any way to prevent IE from "stealing" focus as a window?

[EvolveOrConvolve]

1. I don't think you can stop IE from doing that

But, it's a problem that's not limited to Internet Explorer. I've found that it happens sometimes with other applications as well, and as a software developer, I've added this "feature" into several of my applications so that the user becomes immediately aware of something that requires their attention.

But, here's a link that may include a workaround: http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/win98/t1024045414

Be aware that it requires you to either download TweakUI or make a change to your registry. If you're comfortable working with the Windows registry, then it looks like an easy thing to do, and rather than forcing focus to the Internet Explorer window, it simply flashes on the task bar.

[charlie]

3. The registry tweak doesn't work past Win9x

It'll have to be TweakUI, I'm afraid.

[charlie]

2. I hate apps that steal focus

It's really annoying and there's no good reason for it.

I don't know of a native way to prevent it, but it can be toggled in Microsoft's TweakUI XP Powertoy.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windowsxp/ht/stealingfocus01.htm

There is currently no official TweakUI for Vista yet (MS sometimes takes years to update their Powertoys after an OS upgrade). For now, only unofficial workalikes exist:

http://www.google.com/search?num=20&q=tweakui%20vista

Also, if you're using IE8, even TweakUI may not work. Since the PowerToys are low priority, features that break on newer versions of MS software are sometimes neglected.

[TransitJohn]

4. Thanks guys.

I've got the TweakUI "Powertoy", and will see if it helps.