previous Windows window popping up when playing newly loaded Finale file

[mmike]

This is probably some sort of Windows issue (something to do with focus" ?) that I don't really understand, but the following is an annoying occurrence: I am working in Finale and have some other programs loaded (usually Firefox and Thunderbird). Ever since (I think) from going to windows 10 and Finale 27 (.4.1.110) this happens: I load a second Finale file and when I go to Play, the previous (which is minimized anyway) Windows program pops up. Finale plays as intended, but I have to click on the Finale window to get rid of the other one. Hope I've explained this well enough. Has anyone experienced this?

[motet]

I suspect it's a Finale problem and not a Windows problem per se. Does it happen with and without Human Playback selected? My wild guess would be that Human Playback turns off updating the display as it adds all the behind-the-scene notes and whatnot to achieve its goals, and then when it turns it back on, it somehow switches to the wrong window.

[mmike]

No, that's not it. I never use Human Playback. Example - I am looking at your post (Firefox browser), I posted a reply. Then I loaded Finale, chose a file, opened it, and when hitting Play the windows switches back to Firefox (Finale keeps playing). I can then click on the Finale window to see it again. It makes no difference if VST or MIDI playback, nor if the Finale window is maximized or somehow reduced.

[motet]

Ah, I thought you said it was when you loaded a second Finale file. That does seem like a Windows thing.

I just tried your last scenario and didn't get that behavior. I tried both launching Finale by clicking on a desktop icon and through the Windows button.

[mmike]

That does seem like a Windows thing.

Yes, it must be that, but why? I see no windows settings that might fix that.
well, one extra click ...

[motet]

Does it happen only with Firefox?

[mmike]

No, with whatever the previously open window was (any program, Thunderbird, Word, etc.)

[ebiggs1]

I have never seen that happen and I usually have several programs open at the same time as Finale. I am going to suspect it is an issue or conflict that is specific to your computer. I have had You Tube, Photoshop, Smart Score Pro, Audacity, Outlook and others all while running Finale. Sorry that I am of no help but perhaps that was helpful.

[heinzfan]

Just a stretch, but alt+shift+tab will open the last used window. Is it possible you programmed those or another windows shortcut as playback meta-keys?

[mmike]

Good idea, but no, I checked (and disabled) all progammed shortcuts involving the spacebar etc., but that's not it. Any action to start playback (via menu, transport panel, or shortcut) switches to the last seen window. Weird ...

[motet]

I guess it's worth asking MM support. (Ignore any suggestion to run your file through MusicXML )

[ebiggs1]

I guess it's worth asking MM support.

... or MS.