Hi My whole desktop loses focus at random. Not just the active window... TaskBar, Quick Launch, Start button, - everything becomes inactive. I have to run Task Manager and simply "click around" in it and then, when I close Task Manager, everything is back to normal. It happens randomly - I can be in any application, doing anything, or it can happen when the PC is not being used. I have Win XP, SP3, McAfee Security Centre (firewall and antivirus) everything fully update and patched etc. I THINK it started after my last clean install several months ago but I have nothing new installed that wasn't there before. I can't face doing another clean install (it's too traumatic!) I have read stuff about processes/applications running in the background updating themselves but all that seems to do is take focus off the current active window... I can't find any information about the whole of the desktop becoming inactive. Please help, this is driving me nuts!2 people need an answerI do too

After you did your clean install, did you then install drivers for all your hardware? If not, that's your next step. See below for general information about drivers. You can also check in Event Viewer for clues to help you identify what is causing the issue. Start>Run>eventvwr.msc [OK] Another thing to do in your troubleshooting is to do a clean-boot to see if something running in the background is the culprit: Clean boot in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353 Clean-boot advanced troubleshooting in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434 And finally, it won't hurt to do a bit of hardware troubleshooting - at least testing the hard drive and the RAM: http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot Never get drivers from Windows Update. Get them from: 1. The device mftr.'s website; OR 2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR 3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM computer (HP, Dell, Sony, etc.). Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the drivers. To find out what hardware is in your computer: 1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer. 2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific model machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers anyway) 3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc Advisor or System Information for Windows. http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor http://www.gtopala.com/ - System Information for WindowsMS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

Thanks Malkeleah Yes, I installed all the current drivers following my clean install. Hardware all OK. Done malware scans - nothing. I haven't tried the clean boot as it looks a bit complicated...! I looked at the event viewer but I just don't understand it all! I still have the problem but have found that I can also stop it by doing ALT + TAB twice - then I get control again! Does this mean that there IS something running in the background that takes control/focus from the desktop/mouse? I have looked in Task Manager to see if anything is using CPU but I'm sure that as soon as I do CtrlAltDel it stops whatever it is anyway? Still need help if anyone can suggest anything...

Googling around indicates that this is usually caused by an application running in the background stealing the focus. Therefore, you need to find out what program or process is doing that. Hence you need to do the clean boot.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

I am having the same issue in Windows 7. I tried restoring to an earlier full image I made and that did not fix the issues and I have done a complete re-install without it fixing the problem. Either this is hardware or something else... The only way to stop the problem is by typing "regedit" in the run command and then closing "regedit" The only program I have loaded on my new install is Microsoft Security Essentials, which I also had on my older system. THERE IS NOTHING RUNNING IN THE BACKGROUND stealing the focus that I know of... I ALREADY DID A CLEAN INSTALL AND BOOT!!! SAME PROBLEM!!! MY LAPTOP HAS BECOME COMPLETELY USELESS NOW!!! The entire desktop and active window goes completely out of focus... I can not click on anything except accessing the start menu by using keyboard.. I've ruled out the mouse because I've tried an external mouse but have had the same result... Memory checked out ok with Memtests.... hardware seems to work.... Looks like this is a serious problem with Windows 7...