Abstract: A system and method for implementing adaptive window and dialog management on a data processing system. A user interface enables a user to interact with a primary program and at least one secondary program, and wherein the at least one secondary program notifies the user of at least one condition that request user attention via at least one pop-up window that steals focus from the primary program by placing the at least one pop-up window in a foreground position and redirects all user input to the at least one pop-up window. A monitor establishes usage patterns of the user while utilizing the user interface. A focus manager and adaptive engine utilize the usage patterns from the monitor to adaptively manage display of the at least one pop-up window.