Since I switched to Windows 8, I've had this problem with T-Bird. Updates and safe mode have not fixed it. 

Basically, while I am composing a mail, t-bird automatically switches to the main window. Because I am in the middle of typing, it usually freezes for a moment, sometimes longer and goes transparent and a (Not Responding) appears,  but usually unfreezes and then interprets all the intervening keystrokes as commands. All sorts of damage is done: messages deleted, threads hidden, sometimes a "go to last unread message" box appears. It's a real drag.

I thought it might be a keystroke combination that is making the program change windows, but I'm fairly sure I've seen it switch when I just have the composition window idly open. I think it may be switching whenever T-bird checks for new mail. 

One thing to mention: I often switch between US English keyboard layout and Portuguese language layout. I haven't systematically tested whether it happens in one or the other, but the POR layout has some accent marks here and there. still, I've been careful not to accidentally touch the CNTRL key and as I say, I've seen it switching while idle.

Hi, Since I switched to Windows 8, I've had this problem with T-Bird. Updates and safe mode have not fixed it. Basically, while I am composing a mail, t-bird automatically switches to the main window. Because I am in the middle of typing, it usually freezes for a moment, sometimes longer and goes transparent and a (Not Responding) appears, but usually unfreezes and then interprets all the intervening keystrokes as commands. All sorts of damage is done: messages deleted, threads hidden, sometimes a "go to last unread message" box appears. It's a real drag. I thought it might be a keystroke combination that is making the program change windows, but I'm fairly sure I've seen it switch when I just have the composition window idly open. I think it may be switching whenever T-bird checks for new mail. One thing to mention: I often switch between US English keyboard layout and Portuguese language layout. I haven't systematically tested whether it happens in one or the other, but the POR layout has some accent marks here and there. still, I've been careful not to accidentally touch the CNTRL key and as I say, I've seen it switching while idle. Any help is appreciated. It's getting to the point where I can't really use T-Bird any more and am sadly looking for alternatives. Thanks, BL