spaethg000
asked on
How to Change the Behavior of Pop Up Application Windows (if possible)
I have wondered for a VERY long time how to stop or change the behavior or pop up application windows. I work at a very high speed and very efficiently, so much so that when things pop up, it's a HUGE annoyance. It interrupts my workflow, and my typing speed generally will respond to some of these windows because the default key press is hit by speedy typing. For example, I can be working in Excel or Outlook, and an annoying pop up will pop up saying I have an Outlook reminder. I'd like it to NOT pop up, but to blink at the bottom. This isn't the only issue. I often times am toggling between dozens of windows and working on many things at once. If I'm installing software and waiting for it and multi-tasking by doing something else, I don't want to be interrupted when it finally finishes. I'll get to it when I'm ready, but it pops up and it's annoying. Basically, I'd like nothing to take control of my active window. I'd like any window that wants to take control to go in a minimized state and perhaps blink so I can get to it when I'm ready. :)
ASKER
That seems to be only for Outlook. If that were my only problem, I'd just turn off reminders and look in Outlook manually for them from time to time. What bothers me is all the other annoying pop ups - whether it's Windows wanting to update, Comodo wanting to update, or some program saying there's an update. I know many programs have features for to turn this off. I'm just saying examples and looking for a global. Like when you install or configure a software and are waiting, I don't want it to interuppt me when I've already moved onto something else because the computer took too long. I'd like to get to it when I've finished whatever else I'm working on, and not have it pop up and take control of my active window.
spaethg000--
That is why I said
That seems to be only for OutlookYes.
That is why I said
--I have a suspicion you will have to do this for each program.
For example for Outlook
ASKER
:) Maybe I can find a program that will grab any app that tries to take control of the active window. I don't mind having something like that running on the computers I use! :)
This is a reg mod that I use on builds.....
REM Prevent Apps from stealing Focus
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop" /v "ForegroundLockTimeout" /t reg_dword /d "0x30d40" /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop" /v "ForegroundFlashCount" /t reg_dword /d "0x5" /f
ForegroundLockTimeout
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc957208.aspx
Whats your value set there, if present?
REM Prevent Apps from stealing Focus
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control
ForegroundLockTimeout
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc957208.aspx
Whats your value set there, if present?
ASKER
Ahh this is the kind of thing I'm looking for. Hopefully it works!
ForegroundLockTimeout is 0x00000000 (0)
ForegroundFlashCount is 0x00000007 (7)
I'll change the settings to yours and see what changes. Thank you!
ForegroundLockTimeout is 0x00000000 (0)
ForegroundFlashCount is 0x00000007 (7)
I'll change the settings to yours and see what changes. Thank you!
ASKER
Unfortunately, the setting change had no effect on the behavior.
Im sorry, but thats the only option I know about to contorl this behaviour.....
Some apps just dont listen to it..... I see the problem in Outlook as well, but thats about the only app. Did it help ANY apps?
Some apps just dont listen to it..... I see the problem in Outlook as well, but thats about the only app. Did it help ANY apps?
Just to clarify,what os are you using?
If its xp try this.I'm not sure if this is what your talking about ,but it may help.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307729
If its xp try this.I'm not sure if this is what your talking about ,but it may help.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307729
ASKER
Unfortunately, I dod not observe this helping with any apps. My testing station is running Windows 7 Professional. Thank you though for trying... I do have an XP Station too that I will try on.
ASKER
Thank you for the balloon tips link. That's only a small part of it :)
As far as outlook is concerned click tools then options,on the preferences tab click email options button then advanced email options.You can uncheck display a new mail desktop alert,or click on desktop alert settings button,and make adjustments to your liking there.
spaethg000--Did you ever try http://help.lockergnome.com/office/turn-reminders-Advanced-choice--ftopict999144.html ?
ASKER
It's not just reminders. It could be as innocent as installing a program, hitting next, and while waiting for that to finish, you move on to something else - maybe typing an email. I can be typing away and boom, stopped dead because the other program decided to take control. Worse is when I am typing and my typing replies to a prompt for something else because it decided to pop up and take control.
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ASKER
No solution. Issue is by design.
For example for Outlook
http://help.lockergnome.com/office/turn-reminders-Advanced-choice--ftopict999144.html
And even then I do not know how to change the Reminder into a blinking icon.
There is, of course, the popup blocker in IE (Tools|Pop-UpBlocker) but this for website popups, not program popups.