File browsing scroll bar jumps even after touching it

Describe the Bug

File tab’s scroll bar jumps back even after touching it, after switching windows

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Touch a different, non cursor window, or another cursor instance [in the video, 3 cursor instances are running]
  2. go back to the file browser tab
  3. touch the scroll bar
  4. it will ignore the scrollbar and jump back to the open file

___

The same happens if you delete a file from the file screen. When it’s deleted, the scroll bar jumps to some other arbitrary file instead of staying in place.

Expected Behavior

if I touch the scroll bar it should be the highest priority, and should never be overriden.
The jumping behavior itself is desired, ONLY WHEN I CLICK A FILE
it should not jump when I open the file tab, and especially not when I touch the scroll bar or start scrolling with the wheel

Screenshots / Screen Recordings

Operating System

Windows 10/11

Version Information

Version: 2.3.41 (user setup)
VSCode Version: 1.105.1
Commit: 2ca326e0d1ce10956aea33d54c0e2d8c13c58a30
Date: 2026-01-16T19:14:00.150Z
Electron: 37.7.0
Chromium: 138.0.7204.251
Node.js: 22.20.0
V8: 13.8.258.32-electron.0
OS: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26200

Does this stop you from using Cursor

No - Cursor works, but with this issue

Hey, thanks for the detailed report. The video and repro steps really help.

This looks like a new issue. Jumping to the open file is definitely handy, but you’re right, the scrollbar should take priority when the user is interacting with it.

Could you test two scenarios:

  • Close two Cursor windows so only one is left, switch to another app (not Cursor), come back, and try using the scrollbar.
  • Check if this happens only in the file browser, or if other sidebars (Search, Extensions) behave the same way.

This will help us figure out if it’s related to multiple instances or to window focus in general. Let me know what you find and I’ll pass it to the team with these details.

this specifically jumps to the file so it’s only in the file browser.
there is also a jump in the chat window that i can’t figure out the exact behavior of. It always jumps to the top, and doesn’t always happen.
I think it has to do with pasting a lot of text.

With respect, I don’t have time to do very specific tests or figure out exact reproducing behavior.
I need to work with multiple windows because I am working on different remote computers at the same time, that’s a given. If closing 2 of them solves it, it’s not relevant for me.

Please let me emphasize: jumping to the open file is NOT desired.
The ONLY jump that should ever happen is when I actively open a different file (change file selection from the main window).
any file browser jump must only be triggered by an active user action, otherwise it’s unexpected.

The same jumps happen also when deleting a file.
All jumping should happen only when the user actively clicks another file.