This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
I have done a clean install of Windows 10 1709. System, including on board USB, works fine until I plug into the motherboard connectors with external USB devices - card reader, front side usb ports. Then when I go to windows, Cortana box and Start menu and task bar are inoperable. When I shut down, I get the Taskhost is stopping..... message.
Have done the clean install several times and also did System File Checker.
Moved from: Windows / Windows 10 / Install, upgrade, & activate
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
There is the problem. Please provide a solution, Microsoft. I have no new devices since I reinstalled Windows 10 on Sunday. There are no USB devices plugged in except mouse and Keyboard. A lot of people seem to be having this issue, so you cannot point to some random USB device.
After reading this thread, there is no doubt that this is a serious Microsoft Bug. I am going to reboot and try to take a picture of the task halt so you can see it, but stop asking for a Clean boot. When this first happened to me on Friday, I fiddled around with it. I thought it was a Microsoft Edge problem because it causes Edge to not open, even though it is open in Task Manager with 14 instances. I completely wiped the M.2 SSD on Sunday morning, re-partition and all that, and reloaded Windows 10. I also let it install every update.
On Monday night, it returned. I tried a fix I found for what I thought was the Edge problem, and I thought it was fixed. However, this evening, after being shut off all day, the issue returned.
I fear this could become a widespread bug because the Microsoft folks in here do not appear to be taking it seriously.
I will return with a picture of the screen when I restart.
I started over using this methodology:
| Diagnostic Policy service | |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Execution Service | |
| Diagnostic Service Host | |
| Diagnostic System Host | |
| Windows Module Installer | |
| Plug And pLay | |
| Network Store Interface Service | |
| Microsoft Passport | |
| Network List Service | |
| Windows Management Instrumentation | |
| Connected Platform Devices | |
| Active X installer | |
| Application Layer Gateway Service | |
| Credential Manager |
I have found a suggestion on the web to stop the Host Task problem, but it did not restore my start menu / taskbar issues. It had four suggestions but this was the explanation for the solution below:
After the recent 1709 update by Windows, many system functions began conflicting and numerous problems arose. One of these problems is the one we are discussing. There is a workaround present for users experiencing this problem post-1709 update.
Press Windows + S to launch the search bar. Type “account” in the dialogue box. Open the first relevant result which comes forth.
Once in the account settings, navigate to “Sign-in options” and uncheck (turn off) the option “Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update or restart”.
I have the same issue and the same build info. Must be a Microsoft glitch as the only fix is a restore! Microsoft should stop messing around and fix it as it is a pain!
