Issues with email Outlook

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.