Forum Discussion
Issues with email Outlook
Hello All
when i have some emails open in my task bar if i click on it it doesn't show i nee to use alt tab
any idea why ?
it does not do it on every laptop / computer
Thanks
hi PierreA770 What you’re describing sounds like an Outlook window focus/display issue — the email window is open (you see it in the taskbar) but clicking it doesn’t bring it to the front, and you have to use Alt+Tab to switch to it.
This can happen for a few reasons, and it’s not always consistent across all machines because it depends on Windows display settings, Outlook’s rendering mode, and any add-ins.
Common Causes & Fixes
Window is opening “off-screen”
If Outlook “remembers” a window position on a second monitor that’s no longer connected, it may be opening out of view.
- Select the Outlook window from the taskbar.
- Press Alt + Space → then M → use arrow keys to move the window into view.
- Once visible, resize/reposition it and close — Outlook should remember the new position.
Windows Focus Settings
If Windows is set not to automatically bring windows to the front when you click them:
- Press Windows + R, type:
nginx
control mouse
- Pointer Options tab → Ensure “Activate window by hovering over it with the mouse” is unchecked.
- Alternatively, check:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
in the registry, look for ForegroundLockTimeout — set it to 0.
Outlook Hardware Graphics Acceleration
Sometimes GPU rendering messes with how windows get brought forward.
- In Outlook: File → Options → Advanced
- Under Display, tick Disable hardware graphics acceleration.
- Restart Outlook.
Multiple Outlook Processes
Sometimes there are multiple background Outlook windows and the taskbar click only selects the “wrong” one.
- Close all Outlook windows.
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), end all OUTLOOK.EXE processes.
- Restart Outlook fresh.
Test in Safe Mode
If an add-in is interfering:
- Close Outlook.
- Press Windows + R, type:
outlook.exe /safe
- If it works normally in Safe Mode, disable add-ins under File → Options → Add-ins.
3 Replies
HELP PLEASE I CARNT LOG INTO MY PC AS I CARNT PROVIDE ENUFF EVIDENCE TO RECOVER MICROSOFT ACCOUNT , WHEN I TRY TO RESET MY PC IT GETS STUCK AT A PERCENTAGE AND CANCELS ON ITSELF AND UNDOES THE CHANGES, IVE EMAILED , BEEN ON CHAT WHICH WAS A BOT SO USELESS AND ALL I GET WHEN I CALL IS INFORMATION IS ON THERE SITE WHICH IT IS NOT , IM NOT ABLE TO GO ON MY PC WITHOUT THE MICROSOFT PASSWORD IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN SORT THIS PLEASE
- Allen
Community Manager
Moving to outlook community
hi PierreA770 What you’re describing sounds like an Outlook window focus/display issue — the email window is open (you see it in the taskbar) but clicking it doesn’t bring it to the front, and you have to use Alt+Tab to switch to it.
This can happen for a few reasons, and it’s not always consistent across all machines because it depends on Windows display settings, Outlook’s rendering mode, and any add-ins.
Common Causes & Fixes
Window is opening “off-screen”
If Outlook “remembers” a window position on a second monitor that’s no longer connected, it may be opening out of view.
- Select the Outlook window from the taskbar.
- Press Alt + Space → then M → use arrow keys to move the window into view.
- Once visible, resize/reposition it and close — Outlook should remember the new position.
Windows Focus Settings
If Windows is set not to automatically bring windows to the front when you click them:
- Press Windows + R, type:
nginx
control mouse
- Pointer Options tab → Ensure “Activate window by hovering over it with the mouse” is unchecked.
- Alternatively, check:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
in the registry, look for ForegroundLockTimeout — set it to 0.
Outlook Hardware Graphics Acceleration
Sometimes GPU rendering messes with how windows get brought forward.
- In Outlook: File → Options → Advanced
- Under Display, tick Disable hardware graphics acceleration.
- Restart Outlook.
Multiple Outlook Processes
Sometimes there are multiple background Outlook windows and the taskbar click only selects the “wrong” one.
- Close all Outlook windows.
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), end all OUTLOOK.EXE processes.
- Restart Outlook fresh.
Test in Safe Mode
If an add-in is interfering:
- Close Outlook.
- Press Windows + R, type:
outlook.exe /safe
- If it works normally in Safe Mode, disable add-ins under File → Options → Add-ins.
