# Aps not getting focus from taskbar **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 27, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aps-not-getting-focus-from-taskbar/461464 "2008-08-27T20:14:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aps-not-getting-focus-from-taskbar/461464/1 "2008-08-27T20:14:28Z")
This is driving me nuts. Win XP (w/Tweak UI), Office 2K, FF 3, all with the same issue. I haven’t been able to find a pattern as to when things start going squirrely, but I end up not being able to use the taskbar to switch between aps. If I’ve got Firefox open/maximized, then click on an office button on the taskbar, it flashes three times and that’s it. I can alt-tab to it without a problem, and if I minimize whatever window is visible I can eventually get to it, but programs just stop switching. Kind of like some other app has an “always on top” option checked. It’s driving me [Crazy Eddie]INSANE[/CE]. Any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aps-not-getting-focus-from-taskbar/461464/2 "2008-08-27T20:20:31Z")
Happens to me occasionally. I just kill explorer.exe and restart it, in Task Manager. I should say that the hidden but recommended way of cleanly shutting down explorer.exe is to click Start -\> Shut Down, then Ctrl+Alt+Shift and click on Cancel. Then Ctrl+Alt+Del, Task Manager, File, New Task, explorer. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aps-not-getting-focus-from-taskbar/461464/3 "2008-08-27T20:28:57Z")
Shoot … no luck. I tried both methods, the “clean” way first. Turned the taskbar b&w for a moment, then it was blank (no app buttons). I went to task manager, selected New Task, and ran “explorer,” and the app buttons reappeared, but I still had the focus problem. Then I went to Task Manager and killed explorer.exe via the processes tab. Taskbar vanished entirely, I started it up again via new task, it came back with apps, but still no focus switching. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aps-not-getting-focus-from-taskbar/461464/4 "2008-08-27T20:33:37Z")
(missed edit) Click one sets a button blinking Click two and I can see the minimization animation (the window getting smaller and collapsing into the button) of the non-focused app Click three and I can see the maximization animation of the non-focused app Sometimes – but not always – the third click actually brings an app to focus RRREEeerrreaarRRR!