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How can I prevent other windows within my application from receiving focus? I want to bring a loading window to the front and let it do its thing, but I don't want the user to be able to interact with the other windows in the app.

I could simply hide the other windows in the app, but that feels kind of jarring for users to have their windows just suddenly disappear. At the same time, I can't let the user continue interacting with the other windows during a load since the load will be updating data on every window (synchronization problems would occur). I can add additional locking mechanisms, but I'd rather not if it is as simple as forcing a single window to stay on top and remain in focus.


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up vote 1 down vote accepted

Look into modal windows.


You can make a whole window or panel run in application-modal fashion, using the application’s normal event loop machinery but restricting input to the modal window or panel. Modal operation is useful for windows and panels that require the user’s attention before an action can proceed. Examples include error messages and warnings, as well as operations that require input, such as open dialogs, or dialogs that apply to multiple windows.

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