"lost" program windows

  • Thread starter Thread starter Leila
  • Start date Start date
L

Leila

A couple of my open program windows seem to
have "disappeared" unless I maximize them.
If "restored," they still only appear on the taskbar as
if minimized. This is not fixed by turning computer
off/on. I vaguely remember this happening pre-Win 95
where the window would get "stuck" behind the desktop
after some fat-fingered keystroke. I cannot remember nor
figure out how to retrieve the windows from behind the
desktop if that, in fact, is what has happened.... HELP!
I don't want these programs to appear only as a full-
screen! Also -- if you know how I probably did this in
the first place, please let me know so that I can try
very hard not to duplicate.

Thank you!
 
My thought is that the programs are off screen, so you can't see them. I
would try resizing your desktop to a smaller resolution and see if they are
relocated. You could even try larger to see if they appear.

Another option is to select the program from the task bar, then press
Alt+Space then M. This will put the program in Move mode. You can then use
your arrow keys on the keyboard to move around the window. I would suggest
pressing each of the arrows for a while and see if the window appears.
 
A couple of my open program windows seem to
have "disappeared" unless I maximize them.
If "restored," they still only appear on the taskbar as
if minimized. This is not fixed by turning computer
off/on. I vaguely remember this happening pre-Win 95
where the window would get "stuck" behind the desktop
after some fat-fingered keystroke. I cannot remember nor
figure out how to retrieve the windows from behind the
desktop if that, in fact, is what has happened.... HELP!
I don't want these programs to appear only as a full-
screen! Also -- if you know how I probably did this in
the first place, please let me know so that I can try
very hard not to duplicate.

Thank you!
Click to expand...

I haven't seen any details yet on what is causing this. I suspect it is due
to installing a particular program. That's the bad news. The good
MVP Kelly Theriot has figured out a fix for this problem. It is
available as a VBS file and can be downloaded from:

Line 240, left hand side.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

You can review the changes the VBS file will make by opening the file in
Notepad (File> Open). Double click the VBS file to run it. NOTE: Your
antivirus program may display an alert that you are running a script file.
Since you have examined and initiated the script yourself, it's okay to tell
the antivirus program to allow the script.
 
Just to let everyone know I got an email from Leila and this solution worked
for her. Basically what is happening is that something has gotten
positioned off the screen and when you restore it, it displays back off the
screen.

This could be something as simple as a game that has resized your desktop
and pushed around your windows.

--
Eric Renken
Microsoft Associate Expert.
Expert Zone
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
 
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