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.

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". Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

I had this same issue. I have a 3D printed USB guitar that i use to play Clone Hero and while it was plugged in it caused this glitch. once i unplugged the guitar it fixed it. So I would start by unplugging any usb device you have and see if that helps.

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

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

Answer accepted by question author

Emma1-N 12,030 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".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Emma1-N 12,030 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

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

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