Newly launched app doesn't have focus

I am running Vista Business Edition Ver 6.0 Build 6001 SP1.

Whenever I launch a new app from Explorer by clicking on its shortcut, the new app window always launches behind the existing Explorer window. So I have to click once more on the new app window to bring it to the foreground. Very annoying.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what is the fix?

I have single click turned on.

Are you using any "desktop managers", extenders, or anything whose aim is to improve upon the standard desktop functionality?

Does this issue also occur in safe mode?