Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to directing focus to elements of a graphical user interface in response to focus events. In aspects, a program may include multiple focus scopes each of which may include elements capable of receiving keyboard input. When an element receives keyboard focus, information regarding the element is updated to indicate that the element has or had keyboard focus. Thereafter, focus scope may be changed to a focus scope other than the one including the element. When changing the focus scope back to the focus scope that includes the element, the information may be used to give the element keyboard focus.