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Windows 8 - Full screen programs not responding, unable to close (odd mouse focus issues).

Anonymous
2013-01-19T08:39:04+00:00

Bought Windows 8, because most stores had run out of Windows 7 copies due to an apparent halted/slowed production, despite Windows 8 drivers still not being up to scratch for most things. 

Whilst there are many typical grievances some have had with this operating system, whether it be because it is new, or just un-tempered, this is one issue I have not seen much on, if certainly anything, at all:

My problem is that during the regular run time of full screen programs, ie any game on Steam, not an app, there will be occasions when whether it be due to operating system error, or game error, that it ceases to function, resulting in it being non-responsive.

*I am not looking for a "fix" to prevent non-responsive programs, stuff happens, that I can accept*

Typically with Windows XP / Vista / 7, one would just end task using the task manager - a tool that exists in Windows 8 as well. However, upon trying to close down the non-responsive program this way (ctrl+alt+del, left click [task manager]), the mouse focus will default to be inside the non-responsive, full screen program upon clicking, with only two temporary exceptions; the task bar and the start tile screen.

The task bar retains the ability to use mouse focus, such as being able to launch programs  (however, note, right click -> close on the task bar will fail to close the offending program, and fail to bring up an "end process?" dialogue on repeated attempt, unlike previous iterations of windows, in which 2-3 attempts would suffice), this often leaves me with no option but to shut down the PC from the tile menu (which, like the task bar, somehow is able to receive mouse focus) and restart it, losing information from the other programs that may be open ie, messenger programs.

my direct questions are these:

has anyone else experienced these issues?

is there a known fix for it?

is there a keybind outside of Alt-F4 (which does not work), that will force close the program with focus?

and lastly, a question that is probably more suited to an "accessibility" forum - is there a way to force close programs running in explorer from the tile screen?

Thank you for your time,

  • Matt
Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-04-17T07:34:06+00:00

    I found a temporary fix for this issue, or at least it worked for me.

    I was having what sounds like the exact same issue.

    If you look in the notification area(the right hand side of your taskbar) when you have the Task Manager open, there is a an icon for it that looks like a little grey box and may have a bar graph thing jumping up and down. If you right click that you get two options, to close it or to set it to be Always on Top, by toggling that it would force the task manager to take focus on top over the non-responsive application allowing me to force close it.

    100+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2013-06-09T11:40:21+00:00

    I found a temporary fix for this issue, or at least it worked for me.

    I was having what sounds like the exact same issue.

    If you look in the notification area(the right hand side of your taskbar) when you have the Task Manager open, there is a an icon for it that looks like a little grey box and may have a bar graph thing jumping up and down. If you right click that you get two options, to close it or to set it to be Always on Top, by toggling that it would force the task manager to take focus on top over the non-responsive application allowing me to force close it.

    This fix worked for me. Good find. Thanks!

    9 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2013-01-24T16:09:51+00:00

    Yes, my PC is doing the same and I've found no solution yet.

    7 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2013-04-02T13:31:41+00:00

    I have this problem. All programs are doing this. Micro needs to fix this.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2013-02-02T21:49:39+00:00

    I have the same issues. Sometimes when playing Skyrim or other fullscreen games and they become unresponsive, either because of a bug or because I alt tabbed out and then alt tabbed back in and it didnt work properly, then I try to open task manager to close them down. I see task manager when I alt tab but it will not keep focus. The fullscreen game steals it back. I can open the start screen and the taskbar on the right. But nothing I do can help me close the unresponsive program unless I ctrl alt del and logoff of the user im signed into. 

    Everything normally runs perfectly. I know this is the game screwing up that causes me to have to open the task manager to begin with but Windows should be able to take screen priority again.

    AMD FX 6100 3.3ghz cpu

    8gb ram

    nvidia 550ti video

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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