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.

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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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-12-28T10:44:03+00:00

    I can't seem to find "Refresh your PC without affecting your files" in my settings panel. I've attached a screenshot of my options.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-12-24T11:52:25+00:00

    I see thanks, in that case it means there is an issue with the system itself, last thing we can do is a reset keep my files, if that is okay with you, follow the steps below:

    Warning: Apps you installed from websites and DVDs will be removed. Apps that came with your PC and apps you installed from Microsoft Store will be reinstalled. Windows puts a list of removed apps on your desktop after refreshing your PC.

    To refresh your PC

    Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.

    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

    Tap or click Update and recovery, and then tap or click Recovery.

    Under Refresh your PC without affecting your files, tap or click Get started.

    Follow the instructions on the screen.

    Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how...

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-12-23T18:01:07+00:00

    I have some good news and some bad news...

    The good news: Your solution worked initially after the install and I could switch user without the taskbar freezing.

    The bad news: After I rebooted my computer it started freezing again when switching between users.

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    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2020-12-23T16:16:10+00:00

    You are very much welcome, If none will work from the above solution I suggest to do an in-place upgrade wherein it will upgrade the device to the latest version and repair all issues without deleting any files.

    Note: before doing this make sure to create a restore point: https://support.microsoft.com/en-hk/help/402753...

    1. go to this link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...
    2. Select Download tool, and select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.
    3. On the License terms page, if you accept the license terms, select Accept.
    4. On the What do you want to do? page, select Upgrade this PC now, and then select Next.
    5. After downloading and installing, it should fix the issue.

    Reference: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

    Note: if you receive error: “This Pc can’t be upgrade, follow the steps below”

    Method 1. Go to C:$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther then delete the file name compatscancache.dat

    Then try again or reboot the PC first then try again.

    You might not see the folder as it is hidden, make sure to show hidden files first.

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