Why does Windows Calculator always start minimised?

Question

I often start Calculator by pressing the little Calculator button on my MS keyboard - but for some stupid reason it always starts minimized - meaning I have to restore it first before I can use it. Any idea why it would do this?

It appears to start fine if I start it any other way.

Update: I've just realized this only happens when Visual Studio 2008 is in focus - which is a lot of the time on my machine. Weird! Still annoying though.

Update 2: OK, so it's not just Visual Studio - but Calculator starts without focus in all programs. Some programs it starts under, and some programs it starts over the top, but still not focused - so you have to click on the program itself or on the taskbar.

Solution 1

I had the same problem with Windows 7 x64. I fixed it by creating a command file calc.cmd with the following lines:

start C:\Windows\System32\calc.exe 
exit

Then I assigned the key to run the command file, and calc now starts in the foreground.

Solution 2

One was this could happen is if that key is mapped to a shortcut with Run set to Minimized. What kind of MS keyboard?

Comments

[Admin]

what version of windows are you using?

[Admin]

Man... I so want to say "Because you touch yourself at night." or something... really, that's an odd problem to have. I suggest remapping the calculator button and see if that fixes the problem.

[Admin]

Using Vista x64 Business Edition. I know it's odd - I even tried remapping it to start calc.exe manually, but it just does the same thing :|

[Admin]

Interesting. Any other programs launch minimized when VS is in focus? IE, Outlook Express?

[wows]

It's a standard MS Digital Media keyboard - nothing special. I've looked in the Microsoft Keyboard settings and all the calculator key does is start Calculator. No other options there (such as start minimised, etc).

[BinaryMisfit]

I can confirm I have the same keyboard and have never experienced this problem.

[John T]

not sure which key AHK uses for calculator in specific, or i'd have a solution to map that key to the above. I know the scan code for the calculator button is E0_21, but I don't know what the AHK authors named it.

[Synetech]

That is just a work-around and doesn’t really address the problem. The OP already has a work-around (restoring the calculator after running it), so it would be better to figure out what the problem is and fix it.

[Synetech]

Also a work-around. Let’s try to fix the problem.

[Synetech]

But how does it start the calculator? Does it run calc.exe or does it just “run calculator”. What exactly is displayed in the configuration dialog?

[Keltari]

he doesnt want to start it maximized.

[Tamara Wijsman]

@Keltari: Did you actually read his answer before commenting?

[Lord_Blizzard]

That's not only the case of calculator, actually every single program that I start using keyboard shortcuts, like web browser, communicator, music player, and even folders like my documents, my music, my pictures - they're all always start unfocused. A picture of buttons that I'm writing about: i.imgur.com/3Jtka.jpg , key assignment: i.imgur.com/sTUXl.png

[Seraphim]

Works for me, Windows 10, Logitech K270

[DocWeird]

This is the perfect fix for the Windows 10 calculator that will start in the background and with no focus on the numbers line. With this, it starts just like old Windows 7 calculator; on foreground and with proper focus.

[GoTo]

The only solution that works for me on Win 10.