Outlook 2007 on Windows 7 causes reminder window to stay hidden

[BraamM]

Hi,

I run outlook 2007 (connected to exchange 2003) including latest updates of
office. When a new reminder is shown, the window stays hidden behind other
windows causing me to miss the reminder. Only the icon on the task bar is
highligthed. The reminder window does not pop-up to the front as it used to
in Windows Vista or XP.

Any one else having the problem? Is there a setting to somehow control this
behaviour or is it a bug?

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Any one else having the problem? Is there a setting to somehow control this
behaviour or is it a bug?

It's not a bug and it can't be controlled. The reminder window won't take
focus from the active window. Most people prefer it that way, not wanting the
reminder to interrupt, say, the Word document they're composing when the
reminder fires, possible causing them to accidentally dismiss the reminder
before they're ready or even notice that's what they've done.

 

[BraamM]

Should this not be a configurable setting per user, as I would like the
reminder to show!
My anti-virus manages to show messages in the pop-up area that alerts me,
but does not affect any documents im typing etc.

Who can this request be directed to for consideration?

Thanks!

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Should this not be a configurable setting per user, as I would like the
reminder to show!
My anti-virus manages to show messages in the pop-up area that alerts me,
but does not affect any documents im typing etc.

Who can this request be directed to for consideration?

You can always connect to http://support.microsoft.com/ and use the "Contact
Us" link there.

 

[jjardina]

Brian this is not the intended feature of reminders. Reminders are there to
pop-up and REMIND you that you are scheduled for something of importance!
Not having the functionality of a reminder to show above your other windows,
does not make sense and is not a feature but a BUG!

I am an early integrator of windows 7 in my enterprise and I am starting to
get calls from all my users about this BUG!

It needs an Outlook hotfix, because the intended use of REMINDERS is to pop
up, in your FACE and show you that you are scheduled for something important
enough for you to set a REMINDER for.

PLEASE FIX THIS BUG!

 

[Gordon]

Brian this is not the intended feature of reminders. Reminders are there
to
pop-up and REMIND you that you are scheduled for something of importance!
Not having the functionality of a reminder to show above your other
windows,
does not make sense and is not a feature but a BUG!

Works OK here with Outlook 2007 on Windows 7 RC.

 

[jjardina]

Well it doesn't work with Windows 7 Release!

Steps to reproduce. Have Windows 7 Release, not RC1, RC2 and not Beta, but
the actual release (MVLS users received the windows 7 release last month).

Create an appointment with reminder in Outlook 2007 SP2.
Open up some programs that take up the screen. Wait for reminder.
The reminder will be behind all other windows, never popping to the front to
remind you.

BUG!

 

[BraamM]

I also think its a BUG. But if they make it a configuration setting, both
needs will be addressed, people wanting the pop-up and people not wanting the
pop-up.

Why Microsoft wants to chose for people is beyond me. Let us make the
choice!!!!

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

PLEASE FIX THIS BUG!

None of us here works for Microsoft and can change one jot of the code. We're
just users like yourself.

 

[Ken Slovak - [MVP - Outlook]]

As Brian said we don't work for MS so nobody here can change anything in
Outlook.

The problem of the reminders window isn't new to Win7 or Outlook 2007 and
has a lot of possible causes. Display adapters, display drivers, what other
software is running, window threading and process issues all play a part.

The only way to actually ensure that a window pops up in all circumstances
is to make it topmost, which means it's over all other Windows desktop
windows and you can't set focus to any other window until you dismiss the
topmost window.

Unfortunately, that produces even more complaints than the current situation
of uncertainty

 

[jjardina]

Well then you MVP guys shouldn't be calling things "features" when everyone
else I've spoken to considers it a bug. When you MVP guys specify that
something is not a bug, but a feature, you give an aire of having some
control over the code.

Do us all a favor and if you know a solution or work around, then great,
help us, but dont dismiss an obvious bug as a new feature because you dont
know how to address it.

If you dont know a resolution, then please keep your fingers quiet and let
someone else who does know how to fix this BUG speak up.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[Bob I]

As was said before, THIS IS A USER GROUP, and the Contact link was
provided. The people that can fix bugs don't hang around here.

 

[jjardina]

Obviously.

As was said before, THIS IS A USER GROUP, and the Contact link was
provided. The people that can fix bugs don't hang around here.


.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Well then you MVP guys shouldn't be calling things "features" when everyone
else I've spoken to considers it a bug. When you MVP guys specify that
something is not a bug, but a feature, you give an aire of having some
control over the code.

Do us all a favor and if you know a solution or work around, then great,
help us, but dont dismiss an obvious bug as a new feature because you dont
know how to address it.

If you dont know a resolution, then please keep your fingers quiet and let
someone else who does know how to fix this BUG speak up.

The day you can give an objective definition of "bug" (not just something that
doesn't work as YOU think it should), then perhaps I will.

 

[LuisG]

Dear Brian,
We can try making an analogy. Imagine you are trying to print in your brand
new laser printer. You send your document and you don’t see it in the tray.
You start looking for it and noticed that now you have to open a cover for
getting your paper. The printer is working as expected (this is the point
you are making). However, the behavior has changed from what an average
printer does. Yes, it still works, but the convenience of this new feature
can be questioned. And many users will complain since this is not the way
laser printers usually behave (jjardina’s point).
Bottom-line, Microsoft has to either:
1. Notify all community this is the way Outlook 2007 behaves and they have
to adapt to it
2. Do whatever is needed to bring the typical behavior back on Windows 7
Have a good one
Luis