how to control taskbar flash?

[anon k]

As you all know, whenever a background app has something important to
say, it flashes its taskbar button orange.

If your taskbar is normally hidden, this also covers up important status
lines and toolbars in your foreground window. And that the bright
orange flash is REALLY distracting.

I found out how to reduce the flash to just once.

I'd like to do the following, as well:

- cancel the flashing completely

- change the orange to something less in-your-face

- stop certain programs (especially Messenger) from EVER being allowed
to flash the taskbar for petty nonsense like some dummy from the next
office wanting to know whether it's raining outside your window too

- make the taskbar go back down again instead of obstructing my work.
Having the alert for a half-second would be enough!

The default flashing taskbar is, unfortunately, probably the single most
counterproductive 'feature' of XP's interface.

 

[Kelly]

TweakUI/General/Focus
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Prevent Programs from Stealing Focus - Undo (Line 66)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

When a window that does not have focus is updated by its program, the
default setting prevents it from becoming the foremost (top) window,
instead, it flashes in the taskbar.

HeldUp is the easiest way to stop windows from disappearing behind other
programs. http://www.johnmacintyre.ca/HeldUp.asp

Programs May Start, Quit, Lose, and Gain Focus Randomly
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313176&Product=winxp

Customize Auto Hide Taskbar Settings (Line 190) Right hand side
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[anon k]

TweakUI/General/Focus
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Prevent Programs from Stealing Focus - Undo (Line 66)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

When a window that does not have focus is updated by its program, the
default setting prevents it from becoming the foremost (top) window,
instead, it flashes in the taskbar.

HeldUp is the easiest way to stop windows from disappearing behind other
programs. http://www.johnmacintyre.ca/HeldUp.asp

Programs May Start, Quit, Lose, and Gain Focus Randomly
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313176&Product=winxp

Customize Auto Hide Taskbar Settings (Line 190) Right hand side
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Thanks for these suggestions, but they don't seem effective. My taskbar
buttons still flash five times (though I set them to flash only once
using TweakUI) and they still flash in the same "LOOK AT ME!" shade of
orange.

The taskbar still stays in the foreground instead of going away after a
second or so.

 

[Kelly]

Hi,

Did you see the previous reply about speech recognition causing this?

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[inspired888]

Originally posted by anon k

Thanks for these suggestions, but they don't seem effective. M
taskbar
buttons still flash five times (though I set them to flash only once
using TweakUI) and they still flash in the same "LOOK AT ME!" shad
of
orange.

The taskbar still stays in the foreground instead of going away afte
a
second or so. [/B]

AnonK,
If you're still receiving notification of responses to this post
perhaps you'll get this...
Are you still having this issue with the taskbar jumping out with a
application button highlighted? Did you ever manage to solve it?
It's driving me nuts... and I would dearly like to get this featur
turned off or sorted out.

With thanks,

Jonatha


-
inspired88