When using the touchscreen, why do new windows open in the background?

Question

On our touchscreen monitors, we have several links to documents and websites. When you touch the monitor, the documents will open in front of the current page, but when you touch website link, it opens in the background.

Answer 1

Hello Robert J Ingle,

Thanks for using Microsoft products and posting in the Community.

This issue with touchscreen interactions where new windows open in the background instead of the foreground can be frustrating. Here are some possible reasons and solutions for this behavior:

1. Browser Settings: Some browsers have settings that dictate how links are opened. If a link is set to open in a new tab, it may open in the background depending on the browser configuration.
2. Touchscreen Driver: There could be an issue or bug with the touchscreen driver that’s affecting how clicks are processed by the browser.
3. Browser Behavior: Different browsers handle touch interactions differently. This inconsistency could result in links opening in the background in certain browsers.
4. Focus Issues: Sometimes, touchscreens may not transfer focus correctly to new windows or tabs, causing them to render behind existing pages.

• Check Browser Settings: Look into the settings of the browser you’re using to see if there’s an option related to opening links in the foreground.
• Update Drivers: Make sure that the touchscreen driver and the browser are up-to-date. Updating might resolve any bugs that are causing the issue.
• Change Browsers: If possible, try using a different browser to see if the problem persists. Some browsers handle touch events more effectively than others.
• Test on Different Devices: If you have access to another touchscreen device, try testing the same links to see if the issue is consistent across devices.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any further updates, thanks.

Best Regards,

Lenka-MSFT| Microsoft Community Support Specialist