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
    2021-07-21T22:05:47+00:00

    Well, not fixed but I did get some satisfaction from Razer.

    "We would like to inform you that your reported concern has been successfully replicated by our team. Please look forward to a future update to resolve the issue. We currently have no ETA on when the fix will be rolled out, however, we acknowledge that the issue is present and are working towards developing a fix.

    "In the meantime, the only workaround is to ensure that only one Windows User is active when using the Razer device.

    "The fix will likely be in the form of a firmware update, so we advise to check the product's support page for the firmware update once it becomes available.

    "We will now be archiving your case."

    So,

    • Razer replicated (with Ornata keyboard) and acknowledged issue
    • working on fix with no ETA
    • it is up to me to monitor support page for driver/firmware updates
    • case archived (closed?)

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-06-21T17:26:25+00:00

    There is a work-around. Disable HID interfaces. One of them should be causing it.

    Under "Human Interface Devices" in Device Manager, there are dozens of entries with different labels.

    • "HID-compliant consumer control device", 8 times
    • "HID-compliant device", 5 times
    • "HID-compliant system controller", x2
    • "USB Input Device", x5
    • "Razer Ornata V2", x2
    • "Razer Viper", x2
    • "Razer Chroma Addressable RGB Controller", x1

    Any idea which entries need to be disabled?

    Of the many HID-compliant devices, only one needed to be disabled.

    Device: HID\VID_1532&PID_025D&MI_03&Col01\7&2b0d549b&0&0000 was configured.
    Driver Name: input.inf
    Class Guid: {745a17a0-74d3-11d0-b6fe-00a0c90f57da}
    Driver Date: 06/21/2006
    Driver Version: 10.0.19041.868
    Driver Provider: Microsoft
    Driver Section: HID_Raw_Inst.NT
    Driver Rank: 0xFF1004
    Matching Device Id: HID_DEVICE
    Outranked Drivers:
    Device Updated: false
    Parent Device: USB\VID_1532&PID_025D&MI_03\6&18958d27&0&0003

    Vendor ID: 1532 (Razer), Product ID: 025D (Ornata V2 keyboard)

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-04-05T10:36:15+00:00

    Thanks! 

    To save viewing, it says to go into Device Manager and disable all the 'HID compliant' devices.  

    Indeed, I did this, everything still works, and it's stopped the issue for me.  It's a valid workaround.

    I suggest:

    log-in.

    show the HID compliant' selection in Device Manager 

    Unplug all usb devices except the device causing the issue.  This will cause unrelated HID devices to be hidden from view.

    Disable the remaining HID devices (if only keyboard is connected, use keyboard shortcuts: tab, cursor arrows etc)

    Plug your devices back in, test to check your workaround is a success.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-03-26T20:55:11+00:00

    I have a Razer Blackwidow V3 pro wireless keyboard and removing the dongle and unplugging the keyboard stops the freezing immediately.

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