Share via

Computer randomly switches to desktop

Anonymous
2013-08-22T19:43:32+00:00

I have had this problem ever since I built my computer back in January.

The problem is that my computer, at any moment, switches to the desktop from whatever program/application/game I was using. After I bring the app back into focus (by clicking the icon on the taskbar), the same problem occurs within the next 30 seconds. After bringing the app back into focus, for the second time, the problem does not reoccur for hours.

I have searched for a fix ever since I have had the problem, but have had no such luck. I tried to ignore it, but now I am at the point where it is quite frustrating.

If you suggest to close any running applications that might be attempting to gain focus, I doubt that would be the problem. The only other apps open are Skype, Steam, and Microsoft Security Essentials.

In fact, they are the same apps I used to use, in the same manner (minimized or just on), with my laptop, which never had this problem. My Desktop PC is also almost an exact replica (stuff in hard drive, users, settings, programs [not physically or hardware wise]) as my laptop.

Has anyone ever had this problem or know a fix to it? I would really appreciate it.

(The topic is under Hardware and Drivers because I believe it might be a driver problem or a conflicting hardware)

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

  1. Anonymous
    2013-08-23T03:43:10+00:00

    I tried your suggestion of pressing Alt+Spacebar, but no menu appeared. As usual, it happened again within 30 seconds, but still no luck.

    However, I looked into the Event Viewer (don't know why I didn't think of this before) and looked at recent events immediately after my desktop was shown. My search resulted in numerous msiInstaller events. They showed 2 for the past hour, 4 the past 24 hours, and so on. I then viewed all of the events created by msiInstaller and found thousands of failed Akamai Net Session Interface install attempts. I looked at one of the failed events and, sure enough, found an identical event occur about 30 seconds after, just like the problem. The other thousand events showed lots of different times, but each with one duplicate.

    Anyway, I decided to delete the Akamai Net Session Interface, since it was no use to me anyway (don't even know why I had it).

    I have yet to see what happens, but for now I am convinced that the program was the problem.

    Why it sent me to the desktop (showing nothing), and was done 2 times within 30 second intervals? I have no clue.

    50+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

  1. Anonymous
    2013-08-27T07:09:33+00:00

    After testing, by using applications constantly, I have come to the conclusion that removing the Akamai Net Session Interface did indeed solve my problem.

    Even though I solved the problem myself, I thank you, Shawn, for trying to help me along the way. The problem was indeed an off screen or an application with no interface.

    However, I still do not know why the msiInstaller never showed anything and never succeeded with whatever it was doing. Anyway, the problem is solved, and no more random desktop appearances.

    40+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

7 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. @CmdrKeene 90,621 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2013-08-22T20:12:26+00:00

    If you click in the bottom-right corner of the screen, the desktop appears.  Is it possible that your mouse pointer is in the bottom-right corner of the screen when this occurs?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. @CmdrKeene 90,621 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2016-12-19T00:56:27+00:00

    You said you don't know if it's relevant, but you mentioned:

    Also, Idk if this is relevant but whenever I get cut to desktop, my mouse starts from wherever it was to the bottom right corner. 

    This is indeed very relevant.  When your mouse pointer is in the bottom-right corner, it will touch this little sliver of glass:

    When you touch that, even if you don't click, it will preview your desktop (they call it "peeking at the desktop").  So, it seems clear to me that your mouse pointer is driving to the bottom-right corner, and touching that preview glass button.  When it happens you can ignore it and keep typing/scrolling/whatever you were doing, and everything will come back into view.  Or you can also right-click that little sliver of glass, and uncheck the "peek" option.  With that off, it will no longer preview just if your mouse gets near.  Instead, it will wait for you to actually click.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. @CmdrKeene 90,621 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2013-08-22T23:42:24+00:00

    Well as you describe it, that sounds like some program is executing and taking focus away. Since you don't see anything appearing as the focus is lost, it has to be an off screen or an application with no interface.

    Do you know when this started occurring?  Any new programs, updates, or installs around that time?

    Next time it happens, as soon as focus is lost, try press Alt+Spacebar and see if a menu appears.  If it does, choose restore, maximize, or move and see if you can bring (whatever it is) into view.  If you use click Move on that menu, immediately press any arrow key (doesn't matter which), the move your mouse around (whatever it is should be stuck to your pointer after you hit an arrow key).

    If still can't identify what is taking focus away the next step would be using some SysInternals tools like Process Monitor to hunt around.  Or Perhaps try a clean boot first so we can rule out that any system component is doing it.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments