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

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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
    2021-03-17T18:04:43+00:00

    Update: problem seems to have gone away. However, there have already been periods over the last 12 or so months in which I have been having it, when the problem "goes away" temporarily without intervention, only to resurface later just as randomly. So I am not holding my breath that some Microsoft patch resolved the issue. I just think that the problem being intermittent makes it even more difficult for me to pinpoint.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-03-07T19:46:40+00:00

    Same happens for me, please Microsoft do something...

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-03-07T19:38:22+00:00

    itIn my case, I have done a complete format and Windows 10 install from scratch.

    I do the full Windows updating, and install no other software. I have one monitor only.

    I define a second account. Immediately I am able to reproduce the issue. It also happens in safe mode. It happens on two completely separate PCs (one AMD, one Intel). Aside from this, PCs run perfectly.

    Edit:  This is caused by the Razer device im using (mouse).

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-03-07T16:58:04+00:00

    I have the same problem.

    Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-8600K CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz

    Installed RAM 32.0 GB (recently upgraded from 16GB)

    Are you all using dual monitors like me?

    I've logged details of my issue in https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/unresponsive-start-menu-no-taskbar-or-system-tray/ae7462f8-a782-4fee-8f2d-7df554517f16.

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