windows 10 desktop taskbar (focus?) not responding

For example when I have a doc.,browser, and mail programs open on my desktop, I can't switch from one to the other. Neither pressing the appro. button of the taskbar or the "backround" cascaded program work consistently. Often I have to minimize one to get to the other.

 

Hi steelebob, Welcome to WindowsBBS. A little more info please.
What browser are you using?
What mail program are you using? Neil.

 

Sorry, firefox and thunderbird

 

The programs used and open should not matter. This is a Windows function.

What happens when you hold down the alt key and repeated press Tab?

 

That works fine. I'm a little control freak!

 

32 New Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows 10
May be worth a look? Neil.