Win 10 Dialog boxes are rarely 'on-top' of other windows like they were in Win 7.

Hello,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

It is unfortunate that you are facing this issue after upgrading to Windows 10. I would kindly suggest you to follow the below suggestions and check if it works.

What is the built version of Windows that is installed on your computer?

Method 1: Enable UAC with a Registry edit.

• Go to search window and type regedit (open in admin mode).

• Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System.

• In the right pane, modify the value of the EnableLUA DWORD value and set it to 1 (If you do not have DWORD value, then create it).

• Restart your computer and check.

Registry Disclaimer: The registry is a database in Windows that contains important information about system hardware, installed programs and settings, and profiles of each of the user accounts on the computer. Windows often reads and updates the information in the registry.

Normally, software programs make registry changes automatically. You should not make unnecessary changes to the registry. Changing registry files incorrectly can cause Windows to stop working or make Windows report the wrong information.

Please take a backup of the registry. Follow the steps given in the link below:

Link: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/322756/how-to-back-up-and-restore-the-registry-in-windows

You may follow the below method if you are on Windows 10 Pro build:

• Go to search window and type edit group policy and double click on it.

• Navigate to Computer configuration\ Windows setting \ Local policy \ Security options \ User Account Control: Switch to the secure desktop when prompting for elevation.

• Double click on it to open it, then toggle it to Enable.

Hope it helps.

Mala S

Microsoft Community - Moderator

Mala S wrote:

What is the built version of Windows that is installed on your computer?

The OS build is 17763.253. The Version is 1809, WIndows 10 Professional.

Mala S wrote:

...I would kindly suggest you to follow the below suggestions and check if it works.
...Method 1: Enable UAC with a Registry edit.

I get UAC prompts when installing something new or making a system change. I don't 'think' I have a problem with UAC not working...

However, is this UAC registry edit a 'fix' for my problem, most dialog boxes not being on-top of other windows? If yes, could you link the knowledge base article that describes the problem and uses this as a solution so I can review it? I really don't wan't to make registry changes if they are not absolutely needed.

Thanks in advance,

Steve

Sorry for the delay in response.

We reproduced the issue on our PC by modifying the registry settings and we were able to get the pop-ups on the top of all the windows. So, you may try editing the registry once to check if the issue persists. But make sure that you have taken a backup of the registry before making any changes.

Also, we found a few workarounds for this issue which has helped people.

1. I would suggest you to turn off tablet mode and check if you are able to get pop-ups.

2. I would suggest checking for some registry settings and if you have any variations from the default value you may change them to default and check if the issue resolves -

a. Choose Start and then click Run option, and type regedit in the Open text box then click OK.

b. Open the key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop.

c. Now in the registry editor window in the right pane you will find the keys Foreground Flash Count and Foreground Lock timeout.

Refer to the below links and check if you have the same values as mentioned in the below links -

• ForegroundFlashCount

• ForegroundLockTimeout  

Registry Disclaimer: The registry is a database in Windows that contains important information about system hardware, installed programs and settings, and profiles of each of the user accounts on the computer. Windows often readsand updates the information in the registry.

Normally, software programs make registry changes automatically. You should not make unnecessary changes to the registry. Changing registry files incorrectly can cause Windows to stop working or make Windows report the wrong information.

Please take a backup of the registry. Follow the steps given in the link below:

Link: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/322756/how-to-back-up-and-restore-the-registry-in-windows

3. When you face pop-up issue, right click on the taskbar and unlock the taskbar, then lock it again. Close all the applications and restart them.

4. Go to File Explorer > View > Options > put a check mark on Launch folder windows in a separate process > click on OK and Apply.

Hope it helps.

Mala S

Microsoft Community - Moderator