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Firefox frequently loses window focus

  • 33 replies
  • 445 have this problem
  • 232 views
  • Last reply by tailwhip

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It seems that Firefox frequently loses window focus when I open a new page. It may be a bookmark, a link opened into a new tab via CTRL+Left-Click, or whatever. The following scenario always results in the window losing focus (for me).

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Open this link and bookmark it.
  3. Close and reopen Firefox.
  4. Open the page just bookmarked using the bookmark list and don't touch the window.

I read this page daily, so when I start Firefox and open the page, I have to click in it so as to scroll, etc..

Firefox 13, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

I wish this site had "Preview" for its posts. Geez Louise.

It seems that Firefox frequently loses window focus when I open a new page. It may be a bookmark, a link opened into a new tab via CTRL+Left-Click, or whatever. The following scenario always results in the window losing focus (for me). # Open Firefox. # [http://www.foxnews.com Open this link and bookmark it]. # Close and reopen Firefox. # Open the page just bookmarked using the bookmark list and don't touch the window. I read this page daily, so when I start Firefox and open the page, I have to click in it so as to scroll, etc.. Firefox 13, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit I wish this site had "Preview" for its posts. Geez Louise.

Modified by RETierney

All Replies (13)

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I can confirm that looncraz's solution works for me.

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I can also confirm that looncraz's solution works. Thanks for the contribution. You should get in touch with Adobe and let them know.

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They know of the work-around. Why protected-mode causes the problem is trying to be resolved.

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I'll stay out of the English language debate - literary criticism isn't my field - but I'll express my appreciation to looncraz for a clearly-expressed and simple solution. At least, it works here, so far! Thanks.

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This bogs down for me at number 4. I just don't see a 32-bit Windows on the list. What shows up by default is the Desktop so I change it. I presume I'm searching in c:\. Is this where am I going wrong? I'm using Windows 7 Home Premium and it's a 64-bit operating system. Does that make a difference?

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The original layout was lost in my comment. You have TWO possible places to find the configuration file. On 32-bit Windows (Vista/7/XP) it is c:\windows\SYSTEM32\macromed\flash. On 64-bit Windows (Vista/7) it is c:\windows\SYSWOW64\macromd\flash.

SYSWOW64 stands for System Windows (32-bit) on Windows 64-bit - it is where 32-bit programs (such as flash) store their system files or registry entries on a 64-bit version of Windows.

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Thanks looncraz, it works a treat!

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I fixed this problem by adding the line of code that switches off Protected Mode, but as a result, I now get nothing but a black when make a video (on YouTube, for example) full screen. I'm not sure that trade-off is worth it for me...

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Try uninstalling Flash and reinstalling. You may, otherwise, need to update your video drivers (I'm willing to bet you have intel or nVidia graphics - most likely intel).

Fail that, an older version of flash may be your only hope. Good luck!

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I have the same problem, specially when watching videos on YouTube.

But, I am using Flash 10.3.183.20 with Nightly 17.0a1 and Firefox 14. The problem happens in both, and I'm using an older version of Flash.

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The sooner someone replaces Flash the better. It's the single most annoying bit of software available at the moment, and has been for some time.

Adobe used to produce good stuff - now they seem to produce buggy crap.

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Wow, after all this time, that did it! Thank you looncraz.

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I uninstalled flash and the browser is working better, time will tell.

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