Multiple monitor raises VirtualBox windows on mouse over -> fixed in 4.3 series and later releases after 7 November 2014

[Paul Klapperich]

This might be intended behavior, but in my opinion, it is the wrong behavior and frequently interrupts my work flow, so I marked it as defect.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. In Virtual Machine settings: Display -> Monitor Count -> 2
2. Boot the Virtual Machine and install Guest Additions

You will have 2 windows, titled "[Machine Title (Snapshot)] - Oracle VM VirtualBox : #" where # is either 1 or 2.

3. Position both of these display windows so they can be seen on the screen, but are not maximized.
4. Raise another window (ex: Firefox) so it is above the 1st display window ("Oracle VM VirtualBox : 1"), but not completely covering it.
5. Click in the 2nd display window ("Oracle VM VirtualBox : 2") to raise it and give it focus.
6. Move the mouse outside of the 2nd display window. Due to step 2 the Host OS will have control.
7. Move the mouse over the bit of the 1st display window which is visible.
8. Move the mouse off of the 1st display window and use your preferred method to re-raise it above the 1st display window.

Expected Behavior: In step 7, the 1st display window should not raise itself. Whether it should have focus or not is another discussion on which I have no strong opinion (it probably should), but it should definitely not raise itself. It is odd/frustrating behavior for floating a mouse over a window to cause it to instantly raise to the top, hiding other windows in the process.

Observed Behavior: Since the second display window ("VirtualBox : 2") was the last to have focus, simply floating the mouse the other display window will cause it to both raise and steal focus. This makes it difficult to move the mouse across the screen to click a different window, as one has to consciously pick a route that avoids the other VirtualBox window, or position the windows such that no exposed edge of a VirtualBox window lies in between the two VirtualBox display windows.

The displays can be switched ("VirtualBox : 1" for "VirtualBox : 2") and the behavior is the same. I've searched for a work around using my window manager (compiz) and have found none.

[BobLoblaw]

I agree that this behaviour is undesirable. I run a dual monitor setup with a Ubuntu guest on a Windows 7 host, in seamless mode, and I often move my mouse between windows from either operating system on either monitor. I could use a VirtualBox option to disable the auto-raising of VM windows whenever I move my mouse from a VM window on one monitor to a host window on the other monitor. It is still the case in version 4.1.22, that the host window will have hidden by the time I get there, and I'll have to re-find it before I can continue working.

[Mark Smith]

I am running VirtualBox 4.3.6 on Ubuntu 12.04 (unity) and this autoraise defect drives me crazy. A desirable solution would be to have vbox follow the wishes of the window manager. I've already applied by desired settings with the window manager (e.g. focus follows mouse, no auto raise, no raise on click).

[Ben]

I am running VirtualBox 4.3.12 on Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 7 Enterprise guest, and I am experiencing the same issue.

[zazy]

Three years later, with VirtualBox 4.3.18, and this annoying bug (or feature... I hope it's a bug!) is still there. I'm constrained to use other VMs because VirtualBox is not suitable for dual monitor usage. Using Ubuntu Gnome 14.04.1 as Host and Windows 7 Professional as guest.

[Michael Thayer]

This behaviour has been now been made optional. Test builds of the possible next release including this change are available<1>.

<1> https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Testbuilds

[Frank Mehnert]

Added such an option in VBox 4.3.20. Global Settings / Display.