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IN Windows 8 Desktop Mode, Firefox continually puts a background window over a new window when a new window is opened.

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I am running Firefox in Windows 8 in Desktop mode. If I have a window open, and then open a new window, the previously opened window will open in front of the window just opened. If there is more than one window open when opening a new window, it is usually the most recently used window that opens in front of the new window, but not always. There can sometimes be a delay as well - I can begin to type in the new window, and the previously opened window will open again. I have tried various Option settings, but nothing seems to prevent this behavior. Occasionally, when I have several windows open at once, two or more windows may open on top of the freshly opened window.

I am running Firefox in Windows 8 in Desktop mode. If I have a window open, and then open a new window, the previously opened window will open in front of the window just opened. If there is more than one window open when opening a new window, it is usually the most recently used window that opens in front of the new window, but not always. There can sometimes be a delay as well - I can begin to type in the new window, and the previously opened window will open again. I have tried various Option settings, but nothing seems to prevent this behavior. Occasionally, when I have several windows open at once, two or more windows may open on top of the freshly opened window.

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Type about:config in the URL bar and search browser.tabs.loadDivertedInBackground to false.

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When I looked up the setting, it was *already* set to false. Any other ideas?

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Try the Firefox Safe Mode to see how it works there. The Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.

(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)

  • You can open the Firefox 4.0+ Safe Mode by holding the Shift key when you use the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • Or use the Help menu item and click on the Restart with Add-ons Disabled... menu item while Firefox is running.

Don't select anything right now, just use "'Start in Safe Mode" To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before using the Firefox shortcut (without the Shift key) to open it again. If it is good in the Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one.

Please follow the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article for that.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help other users who have the same problem.

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I tried the Firefox Safe Mode, and it prevented the problem from recurring. Now to Troubleshoot the extensions...

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In Firefox Safe mode these changes are effective:

  • all extensions are disabled
  • the default theme is used (no persona)
  • userChrome.css and userContent.css are ignored
  • the default toolbar layout is used
  • the Javascript JIT compiler is disabled
  • hardware acceleration is disabled
  • plugins are not affected
  • preferences are not affected
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OK, I disabled extensions after the last post. I only have two extensions at this point - Garmin Communicator and McAfee Script Scan. For several days now, I have been switching between Safe Mode and Unsafe Mode (?) with extenstions disabled, which should be redundant. However, in Safe Mode I do not have the "old screen magically on top" problem, but I *do* have the problem with the extensions disabled if I don't start in Safe Mode.

Suggestions?

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Gee, Guys, I figured that someone would have said something by now... No ideas at all? I just have to live with the window problem?