Prevent apps from stealing focus

If I start an app in space 1, then I move to space 2, the app I launched shouldn't steal focus and force me back to space 1 when its obvious I dont want to be in that space if I just moved away from it. Thats what is so annoying about this issue.

I don't see that happening. I don't know what would control that or cause it to happen for you and not me, though.

Is it all apps, or just some apps. Apps can fire off different levels of notifications. Perhaps that is what is happening.

It probably happens for me because I use 6 spaces and have most of my apps assigned to open in a particular space (Itunes in 1, Word in 4, etc.). So if Im using space 2 (web browsers) and I open Word, the OS will switch me to space 4. I know its doing what its assigned, but it would be nice to have an option to not automatically switch to the spaces that apps are assigned to open in when launched.

It does switch when I open it and that is what I expect. However, I switch back during the launch of Word and it doesn't go back to Word's space when it opens its untitled Window. If you see something different, I can't replicate it.

You can certainly provide [feedback to Apple|http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback] on that enhancement request.

Ian,

I am sorry if this comes across as rude, but that is the dumbest comment. The OS is not doing what I ask of it. Inconsiderate programmers write code that steal focus, I have not asked the OS to do that. And to suggest that with today's sophisticated OS to tell someone to do one thing at a time rather than several is just plain stupid and unhelpful.

Do you have apps set to open in assigned spaces?

Yes, I do.

I noticed on Word (most likely all Office apps), it feels compelled to show you the splash screen. If you wait to switch until after the splash screen starts, it shouldn't drag you back.

This definitely happens and needs to be correctable in system preferences. I love macs for sure but those that don't see this problem are surely unaware of what it means to multi-task. Please don't respond to this thread any more by refusing to recognize a problem that you don't understand.

mindfeltcreations wrote:
This definitely happens and needs to be correctable in system preferences. I love macs for sure but those that don't see this problem are surely unaware of what it means to multi-task.

Because nothing says "Mulit-Task" like not using an app.

Please don't respond to this thread any more by refusing to recognize a problem that you don't understand.

Apps are allowed to send notifications to the user. They have different levels and it is up to the app to send the appropriate message. If you have apps sending the "I must show this to the user now" level for innocuous stuff, then you need to contact the developer and tell them they should tone it down.

As for Apple implementing your idea, you're going to have to come up with a better argument than "opening an app and not using it is truly multi-tasking" for Apple to change the UI. When you do, try [providing feedback to Apple|http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html].
I really don't know how the OS is supposed to know when it is you want to open an app, but not intend to actually use it. I just can't imagine opening an app I don't want to use, so making it an on/off toggle in Sys Prefs doesn't make any sense to most users. If people don't want to use an app, they don't open it.

However, adding a modifier key to the launch might be something functional. Command is already used with a Dock launch to show the app location. Option is used when launching an app in the Finder to close the open window--this one could possibly be used and would make some consistent sense. Shift is used to disable startup activities--like in Mail having it not select a mailbox.

yeah i would love a modifier key for this feature. iPhoto is a slag for this type of killjoy moment. Any app that takes a few seconds to load needs to be able to disabled from watching it load. Shift + Click for Open in Background... I can see this implemented with links aswell, hate having my web experience interrupted to open a link in a new window i know i will read AFTER i have read my current page.

I could give some suggestions. if the user has another window active or is working in another space could be a clue to the app that the user might be engaged in another activity. In that instance bounce the icon on the dock instead of pulling the focus to another box. Or, you could just sound a tone. Personally, I would be satisfied with a global switch that says if another window "IsActive=true" then do not pull focus away.

Why did you open it if you are working on something else and don't want to be bothered? When you really want to use it, open it. Or, just open everything you think you might use and leave them open.

There must be some command the stealing app must me sending to the OS that causes it to switch spaces (in my case most of the time).

[See here|http://developer.apple.com/mac/library/DOCUMENTATION/Cocoa/Conceptual/Noti fications/Introduction/introNotifications.html]

Wrong reference. [See here|http://developer.apple.com/mac/library/documentation/CoreFoundation/Refere nce/CFUserNotificationRef/Reference/reference.html]

Barney-15E wrote:
Why did you open it if you are working on something else and don't want to be bothered? When you really want to use it, open it. Or, just open everything you think you might use and leave them open.

I honestly don't understand why this is so hard to understand for some. When I'm working with several applications and decide that I need to use Word or Excel in a moment - I launch it. And since launching applications takes time, I don't want to sit there and wait until it's fully launched. It's called 'thinking ahead'.

Multi-tasking means working on multiple applications at a time; and I decide on which application I currently want to work. And what's logical about just sitting there, waiting for an app to launch?

Also, not all applications need user input to have functionality - and yet still steal focus while being launched.