Windows 10: Calculator focus

This question has been asked several times but they are all locked and it has clearly not been resolved as it is still an issue.


Windows 10


Calculator key brings up the calculator and sometimes puts it on top. Pinning to the task bar seems to force it on top which should absolutely not be necessary but hey, this is Microsoft we're working with. The problem that persists well into the year 2020, a full 5 years after this issue was brought to Microsoft's attention, is focus. If you're working in, say, Quickbooks and you need a calculator and hit the button...it opens the calculator but does not switch focus. I can't understand for the life of me why such an extremely basic function does not work, again, even after being brought to Microsoft's attention.


Posed solutions have included updating the Mouse and Keyboard Center but unless you're using a Microsoft branded keyboard, you aren't using the Mouse and Keyboard Center so this does not work. Another solution work around really is to go in and re-script the OS which is great if you're a programmer working on your own computer but maybe not at all helpful if you're an admin working on a company-owned computer.


If ANY other large tech company had this kind of issue, it would be patched in a subsequent release. Note that MS has allowed this to persist for at least a half decade. It's a calculator...on a computer. Not that hard.


I am not asking for a solution from MS because their responses are the same without regard to the details of the question. Perhaps a non-MS drone has had success in making their calculator work without having to buy a MS keyboard or re-write the program?

:)

 

Windows 10 Calculator app focus fail

There is a workaround. It will both solve the focus issue and the multi instance issue.

• Pin the Calculator App to the taskbar
• Find the Windows Button + Number shortcut assigned to it (let's say it is Wn + 1)
• Go to Mouse and Keyboard Center
• Create a Macro such as Wn (pressed); 10ms; 1; 10ms; Wn(Released)
• Assign it to the key.
• Voilá. It works flawlessly.

The downside is that you now are obliged to keep Calculator pinned to the taskbar, and, of course, if you pin something else on it's place, your Calc button will open something else (that's why 1 is a good choice).

 

Windows 10 Calculator app gets always on top and compact mode features

Why not make a suggestion on the Feedback Hub.

I think this is a step in the right direction. I use Calculator daily.

 

Windows 10 Calculator app focus fail

Works great! Thanks