Problem: Desktop switching screen pops up every time I close any window.

Question

Problem: Desktop switching screen pops up every time I close any window.

Frank Hearl 40

How do I fix problem that when I close any window the Desktop Switching screen takes over. I only use one desktop and never use that feature but it is annoying to have the darn thing pop up every time I close any Window, like Outlook, or Edge, or anything. This started after an update last week. I tried a lot of things and something made it work right. Then today, May 28, 2026, my computer did another Windows Update and the problem is back. I tried the MS posted solution but it doesn't work, i.e., changing the settings in Desktop from "Only the window I'm working in" to "All windows." No joy.

MooreDrunkOne 0 Reputation points

2026-09-02T20:46:14.2633333+00:00

Had the same issue, and found the problem is with the xbox game bar and game mode. Turning both off in Settings->Gaming has resolved the issue
Daniel E Thompson 0 Reputation points

2026-09-03T01:54:26.8133333+00:00

That fixed it! Thanks alot @MooreDrunkOne
eric sutton 0 Reputation points

2026-09-10T17:38:43.92+00:00

@MooreDrunkOne You are a life saver. Its been driving me crazy. It happens on one update and gone the next. Couldn't figure out what was doing it.

Answer accepted by question author

Emma1-N 11,865 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Welcome Frank Hearl,

I understand how frustrating it can be when the desktop switching view appears every time you close a window, even though you only use a single desktop, and the issue returned after a recent Windows update.

Before moving forward, I would like to clarify a couple of things:

Does the Task View screen appear automatically without pressing any keys (like Win + Tab)?
Are you using a laptop touchpad or any external keyboard/mouse that might trigger gestures or shortcuts?

In the meantime, you can try the workaround steps below to troubleshoot the issue:

Option 1: Check keyboard shortcut triggers

Press Win + Tab once to confirm the screen matches what appears
Try temporarily disconnecting external keyboards or mice
Restart the device and check if the issue persists

Option 2: Disable Task View button on taskbar

Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar
Turn off Task View button
Test by closing a window again

Option 3: Check touchpad gestures (if on laptop)

Open Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Touchpad
Expand Three-finger gestures and Four-finger gestures
Set all gesture options to Nothing

Option 4: Restart Windows Explorer

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
Find Windows Explorer
Right-click it and select Restart

I hope the steps above help you deal with your issue.

P.S: If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Emma1-N 11,865 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-30T05:16:26.6033333+00:00

Hello Frank Hearl,

Have you had the chance to check my answer yet?

Please do keep me updated.
Joshua 0 Reputation points

2026-07-08T02:48:26.9133333+00:00

I’m having an identical issue, after closing any window. It is extremely annoying, and I’m tempted to go into the registry and completely obliterate the thing. The task view setting was already off, and I don’t use a trackpad.

It’s a rather detrimental feature in this state.
TomKauw 10 Reputation points

2026-08-01T11:51:36.01+00:00
I'm having the same issue as of a couple of days. Whenever I click a taskbar icon on my secondary screen, the Desktop Switching view opens up. It doesn't pop up always, but very often, most often when pressing the Explorer icon. It's highly annoying, though.

The four workarounds already provided do not work for me.

Option 1: Check keyboard shortcut triggers ❌

I am not pressing any buttons when this happens, only a left mouse click.

Option 2: Disable Task View button on taskbar ❌

I disable this by default on all devices. I also align the taskbar left by default, for that matter.

Option 3: Check touchpad gestures (if on laptop) ❌

Desktop here, not using any touch input.

Option 4: Restart Windows Explorer ❌

Did this a couple of times. Issue persists immediately after Explorer restarted.

I've also had multiple reboots already, but the problem keeps persisting.

Any other workarounds? Feels like a Microsoft developer vibe coded one too many vibes for a recent update.I'm having the same issue as of a couple of days. Whenever I click a taskbar icon on my secondary screen, the Desktop Switching view opens up. It doesn't pop up always, but very often, most often when pressing the Explorer icon. It's highly annoying, though.

The four workarounds already provided do not work for me.

Option 1: Check keyboard shortcut triggers ❌

I am not pressing any buttons when this happens, only a left mouse click.

Option 2: Disable Task View button on taskbar ❌

I disable this by default on all devices. I also align the taskbar left by default, for that matter.

Option 3: Check touchpad gestures (if on laptop) ❌

Desktop here, not using any touch input.

Option 4: Restart Windows Explorer ❌

Did this a couple of times. Issue persists immediately after Explorer restarted.

I've also had multiple reboots already, but the problem keeps persisting.

Any other workarounds? Feels like a Microsoft developer vibe coded one too many vibes for a recent update.
Dan Thompson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-03T23:15:15.11+00:00

I also have this issue and also disabled and restarted, the issue persists. Has happened for several months. Hoping a solution can be found
Daniel E Thompson 0 Reputation points

2026-09-04T03:35:44.1+00:00

MooreDrunkOne • Follow 0Reputation points Sep 2, 2026, 3:47 PM Had the same issue, and found the problem is with the xbox game bar and game mode. Turning both off in Settings->Gaming has resolved the issue

6 additional answers

Your answer

MooreDrunkOne 0 Reputation points

2026-09-02T20:46:14.2633333+00:00

Had the same issue, and found the problem is with the xbox game bar and game mode. Turning both off in Settings->Gaming has resolved the issue
Daniel E Thompson 0 Reputation points

2026-09-03T01:54:26.8133333+00:00

That fixed it! Thanks alot @MooreDrunkOne
eric sutton 0 Reputation points

2026-09-10T17:38:43.92+00:00

@MooreDrunkOne You are a life saver. Its been driving me crazy. It happens on one update and gone the next. Couldn't figure out what was doing it.
Emma1-N 11,865 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-30T05:16:26.6033333+00:00

Hello Frank Hearl,

Have you had the chance to check my answer yet?

Please do keep me updated.
Joshua 0 Reputation points

2026-07-08T02:48:26.9133333+00:00

I’m having an identical issue, after closing any window. It is extremely annoying, and I’m tempted to go into the registry and completely obliterate the thing. The task view setting was already off, and I don’t use a trackpad.

It’s a rather detrimental feature in this state.
Dan Thompson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-03T23:15:15.11+00:00

I also have this issue and also disabled and restarted, the issue persists. Has happened for several months. Hoping a solution can be found
Daniel E Thompson 0 Reputation points

2026-09-04T03:35:44.1+00:00

MooreDrunkOne • Follow 0Reputation points Sep 2, 2026, 3:47 PM Had the same issue, and found the problem is with the xbox game bar and game mode. Turning both off in Settings->Gaming has resolved the issue

Answer 1

Frank Hearl 40

Emma1-N: Yes, I tried all the things you recommended, except for Option 3, since I don't have a Touchpad. I also tried disabling the Explorer Add-ins and did a manual clearing of cookies and caches.

I don't know what worked, but "magically" after rebooting the computer, the problem went away. I must report however that it came back after the next Windows Update, then again, "magically" went away. I don't know what worked, didn't work, or why? The problem hasn't returned for several weeks now, and I hope it does not reoccur.

Thanks for the help.

<Frank>

John Halstead 0 Reputation points

2026-07-30T23:23:09.4566667+00:00

I just wanted to add, that I just started having this issue randomly, but it was a hardware issue, with a wired GameSir brand Xbox style controller. Once I unplugged it, the problem disappeared! Cheers
MooreDrunkOne 0 Reputation points

2026-09-02T20:47:29.2266667+00:00

Had the same issue, and found the problem is with the xbox game bar and game mode. Turning both off in Settings->Gaming has resolved the issue

Answer 2

TomKauw 10

I'm having the same issue as of a couple of days. Whenever I click a taskbar icon on my secondary screen, the Desktop Switching view opens up. It doesn't pop up always, but very often, most often when pressing the Explorer icon. It's highly annoying, though.

The four workarounds already provided do not work for me.

Option 1: Check keyboard shortcut triggers ❌

I am not pressing any buttons when this happens, only a left mouse click.

Option 2: Disable Task View button on taskbar ❌

I disable this by default on all devices. I also align the taskbar left by default, for that matter.

Option 3: Check touchpad gestures (if on laptop) ❌

Desktop here, not using any touch input.

Option 4: Restart Windows Explorer ❌

Did this a couple of times. Issue persists immediately after Explorer restarted.

I've also had multiple reboots already, but the problem keeps persisting.

Any other workarounds? Feels like a Microsoft developer vibe coded one too many vibes for a recent update.

Luna Moon 0 Reputation points

2026-08-30T21:36:05.7+00:00

If your still having problems with it, and this is for anyone whos tried the solutions already posted

Try shutting your desktop down fully, unplug for about 30 seconds to a minute, plug it back in and reboot.

I had this issue a couple of times in the past, and just had it again, and unplug reboot was the only thing that fixed it.

Hope this helps folks!

Answer 3

Nuri 0

Having the same issue Im also not pressing any buttons when this happens and i've also tried every suggestion listed. Please fix this

MooreDrunkOne 0 Reputation points

2026-09-02T20:47:50.12+00:00

Had the same issue, and found the problem is with the xbox game bar and game mode. Turning both off in Settings->Gaming has resolved the issue
Karl Kinnard 5 Reputation points

2026-09-03T19:23:00.11+00:00

I found that this issue is directly related to the Setting "Gaming>XBOX MODE" turning off XBOX mode fixed my issue. I could replicate it by double clicking my desktop and the view would come up. but it would also come up if I simply clicked on another window... or alt tabbed to one. or sat long enough with some windows open.

Disabling XBOX MODE seems to fix it. If that doens't by itself. disable the GAME BAR activation items for controllers and more.

Answer 4

Eric Beltran 0

I had this same problem. Unplug your controller, especially if you have an 8bitDo controller. seem to send WIn+Tab signals for some reason.

MooreDrunkOne 0 Reputation points

2026-09-02T20:47:06.58+00:00

Had the same issue, and found the problem is with the xbox game bar and game mode. Turning both off in Settings->Gaming has resolved the issue