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: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2021-03-29T07:55:35+00:00

    HI, you can test it without having another mouse, using Windows shortcut keys, if you like.

    • Unplug Razer mouse.
    • Reboot PC
    • Use enter to get login screen (if enabled).
    • Use Control-alt-delete to bring up menu which includes switch-user.
    • Select between menu items using Arrow and Tab keys.  select using Enter.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2021-03-29T06:10:01+00:00

    I'm using a Deathadder V2 right now and plan on testing some time during this week. I don't have a backup mouse tho. Would uninstalling Synapse be enough

    EDIT: I can see that someone else tried uninstalling without it being enough. I was looking at Logitech G Pro X anyways. Maybe it's time to change things up, hehe

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2021-03-29T00:08:31+00:00

    I've just raised a ticket now too.

    Anyone else found that their Razer products are causing this?

    Was this answer helpful?

    7 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2021-03-27T22:10:42+00:00

    yes!  

    I confirm that the Razer Deathadder V2 mouse is my root cause!  Confirmed on sn intel desktop, an Asus Vivobook (laptop) and an AMD desktop.  I have lstest software snd firmware installed.

    I have raised a support ticket on this to Razer today.   The mouse bungee (Razer Chroma V3) causes no problem by the way.

    Using a different mouse (an old HP USB) presented no problem by comparison.

    Was this answer helpful?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments