Switching between user logins freezes taskbar

Anonymous
2020-12-23T12:44:15+00:00

The case:

My wife and I share the same home PC for work, that we use independently throughout the day. We would like to be able to switch between our users without having to log out and close/reopen our respective documents and apps. Kinda like how it works on a Mac when you switch between multiple active user login sessions.

The Problem:

Whenever we try to use the "Switch User" functionality, the taskbar freezes (doesn't load) on whichever user you switch to. The only way to unfreeze the taskbar is to log out completely on one user (and subsequently close all apps/documents), and then login to the other user afterwards.

What I have tried:

  • A fresh Windows install
  • Add a new and fresh user (stops working after a reboot)
  • Running DISM.exe /CheckHealth, /ScanHealth, /RestoreHealth
  • sfc /scannow

Extra info:

Both users have Admin account type and our Windows 10 is updated to the latest version.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Family and online safety

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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2021-04-22T14:50:25+00:00

It is very discomforting to see that relatively simple and ubiquitous peripherals like mice and keyboards can interfere with the OS so badly. Disabling HID devices is a poor workaround for something that MS should fix in the OS or the OEM manufacturers like RAZER should comply with MS specs. But then you have a MS intellimouse freezing the taskbar on an MS OS, it seems that MS itself has an internal interoperability problem.

Was this answer helpful?

10 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

106 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2021-04-04T09:44:58+00:00

    for anyone that is still having the problem, this fixed it for me.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi2JWNKBW9Y&t=2s

    with trial and error, you can find which one is causing the problem.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2021-03-27T18:00:38+00:00

    It's definitely Razer hardware causing this issue...  this has been driving me nuts for months and I have spent over 200 on this keyboard...

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2021-03-27T16:17:39+00:00

    Alright, it looks like we're getting somewhere with this!

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2021-03-27T16:06:21+00:00

    Yes! Yes! Yes!  Thank you so much Erica6!

    So here are steps I took to verify the issue is indeed something with Razer.

    1.  On both accounts I turned off Razer Synapse 3 from Window's StartupApp settings page. Edit: not necessary

    1.  Removed Razer keyboard/mouse wireless dongle
    2.  Connected Logitech keyboard/mouse

    4.  Restarted PC Edit: not necessary

    1.  Now was able to switch between accounts without issue!   Can confirm Start Menu and Taskbar were responsive in both accounts.

    Now here's the kicker.

    1. Re-inserted Razer wireless dongle (does Razer software load in the background now?  Windows made a bing bong sound.)
    2. Using Razer mouse, switch between accounts.   One of the account's Start Menu and Taskbar is now frozen.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments