Bug: Files tooltip steals focus after double-clicking a file in icon view; launched app is sent to background

[wyvern2501]

Description

Issue
When the layout in Files is set to "Icons", double-clicking any file in the right-hand list opens the associated application as expected. However, as soon as the mouse cursor overlaps a file icon—even once after the double-click—Files shows a tooltip and its window moves to the foreground (becomes active). The newly launched application is pushed to the background.

Expected behavior
The launched application should remain in the foreground, and Files should stay in the background without stealing focus.

Impact

• Keyboard input and shortcuts can be unintentionally sent to Files.
• The launched application is not immediately visible, slowing down workflow.

Steps To Reproduce

1. Open Files and set the layout to “Icons”.
2. In the right-hand file list, double-click any file to open it with its associated application.
3. After the double-click finishes, let the mouse cursor overlap the file icon.
4. Files displays a tooltip and its window moves to the foreground.
5. The launched application is now in the background.

Files Version

3.9.1.0

Windows Version

10.0.26100.4351

User ID

986816aa-c7c4-456d-9db3-ce82f40cf820

Log File

debug.log

[Josh65-2201]

Thanks for the report, Please check what layout you're using as Icons isn't one in Files. Can you also see if this is an issue in the preview version. https://files.community/download

[wyvern2501]

I’m using ChatGPT for translation, so please forgive any awkward wording or misunderstandings.

With Files set to Japanese, the layout label shows 「アイコン(Icon)」, but after switching to English (US) I see it is called “Grid”.

I’ve also observed that if some time passes after the double-click, hovering the cursor over the icon no longer triggers the issue. In other words, there seems to be a time window after the double-click during which the problem can occur.

As for the preview version, it’s 1 AM here in Japan right now, so I’ll test it tomorrow and report back on whether the issue is reproducible.

[0x5bfa]

Thanks for the report, Please check what layout you're using as Icons isn't one in Files.

FYI to Josh, Grid isn't a common word in Japanese so presumably Hishitetsu translated that to Icons instead.

Files shows a tooltip and its window moves to the foreground

This sounds like a WinUI issue.

[wyvern2501]

I’ve confirmed that the issue also reproduces in the preview build (3 .9 .10 .0).

Regarding the layout: when Files is set to Japanese, “Grid” is displayed as “Icon (アイコン)”. As @0x5bfa mentioned, “Icon” is the standard term in Japanese, and the Japanese version of Windows Explorer uses the same wording.