Microsoft Edge + Workspaces + Selecting applications in Windows 11

Question

I'm wondering if anyone else is having this issue. I get it periodically with Microsoft Edge and utilising Workspaces.

I utilise Workspaces to group 'personal' and 'work' items separately and sometimes I have the following issue.

• I open up a workspace in Edge and I have other windows open, Explorer, Word, Discord, Apple Music etc..
• I use Edge and the workspace and want to click any of the other windows I have open. It no longer allows me to select these other open windows and only allows me to click around Edge.

I can alt-+tab between the windows and then they allow me to click in that active window, but I can't then select another window. Similarly, if I minimise all the windows, then open them back up, it works again.

It's a very off set of circumstances, but it's also highly frustrating!

I've tried an sfc/scannow and a repair of Edge, removed all plugins. But this hasn't resolved it.

Anyone else have a similar experience?

Answer 1

I am having this same issue. It is now happening across multiple computers. In Windows 11, it can be replicated using the following steps:

• Open an Edge session as a 'Work' account and as a Workspace
• Click the Windows background (you will notice that it has stolen focus from the currently active application)
• Now, try to select and grab focus of any open window. You can't; you must use the taskbar or alt-tab to grab window focus
• This behavior persists until reboot, or can sometimes be reset by closing all open windows

This only appears to be a problem with 'Work' Edge when it is used in conjunction with Workspaces. I am unable to replicate the issue in 'Personal' Edge alone.

Answer 2

Hello,

I have not heard back from you in 96 hours. If you need further help at this point, please create a new thread to discuss those concerns.

Answer 3

Hello,

I have not received the message from you yet. If there is anything more that I can do for you or if anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Answer 4

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out here in the Microsoft Answers Community.

Based on the description, it seems that the issue you have described is caused by third-party software. You can try performing a clean boot rule it out.

To do so, right-click Start->Task manager. Go to the Startup tab, and disable all startup items. Then, press Windows+R and enter "msconfig" to open system configuration. Go to the "Services" tab, select "Hide all Microsoft services", and then select "Disable all". Select Apply and reboot, and see whether the issue persists.

Please refer to this support article for details and how to pinpoint the programs causing the issue.

Disclaimer: A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background service is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem.

These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by step so that it will help you get back on track.

Please let us know if these steps help.

Best Regards,

Johann - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist