Disappearance of Windows 11 Taskbar Icons after Switching Virtual Desktops

Anonymous
2023-11-24T09:01:51+00:00

Windows 11 22H2
In Windows 11's built-in virtual desktop feature, there is a high probability that icons of active applications on the current desktop may not be displayed when switching between different virtual desktops. The icons only appear when I click on the respective application. I have attempted to resolve the issue through restarts and using Sfc and Dism for repairs, but the problem persists. An essential configuration to note is that the taskbar is set to display windows only from the current desktop.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-11-27T15:35:46+00:00

    I have this issue, too.

    Mine last version of update is KB5032190 & KB5032007.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-04-24T10:31:17+00:00

    ⬇️⚠️ Here is a workaround, until Microsoft finally decides to fix the issue! ⚠️⬇️

    The workaround is to install ExplorerPatcher.

    This seems to fix the issue where icons disappear when switching virtual desktops in a multi-monitor environment.

    Steps:

    1. Download ExplorerPatcher and install it. This will restart Windows Explorer and change your taskbar to the Windows 10 one.
    2. Once installed, open the start menu and launch Properties (ExplorerPatcher).
    3. On the first settings tab Taskbar, change Taskbar style back to Windows 11 (or keep Windows 10 if you want ^^).

    Voilà! After restarting the File Explorer, the icons should stop disappearing when switching virtual desktops!

    If this works for you, please share it as largely as possible! The issue has been driving us insane for long enough.

    Also consider donating to the ExplorerPatcher project which is Open Source (disclaimer: I'm not affiliated to the project in any way)!

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-11-25T18:38:05+00:00

    Dear Microsoft,

    please stop working on those stupid "AI" features and instead fix all your existing problems. LIKE THIS ONE!
    this bug stops me from using virtual desktops more often. What a shame for one of the biggest commercial Software companies.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-12-06T11:54:58+00:00

    Ditto.

    I noticed if I move the icon a little then it reappears (click/drag), but this is more annoying than helpful.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-11-30T17:50:36+00:00

    Same issue. This virtual desktop issue has been happening well before the November updates. I spend more time hovering the mouse over icons to find the window that I want.

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