can't click on taskbar inside startmenu or folder can click on desktop

Vaibhav 0 Reputation points
2026-09-17T09:25:14.3+00:00

after updating windows recently i cant click on taskbar i can hover on the icons on taskbar and they are highlighted but cant click on them can use keyboard to navigate everywhere same happens inside folders and start menu but for some reason i can click on desktop both left and right click work properly. I have tried restarting explorer dwm and a lot of things have reinstalled fresh windows 3 times at this point and its still an issue

windows 11 25H2 26000

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures
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  1. ApexNáV 360 Reputation points
    2026-09-17T10:14:34.3233333+00:00

    Since you’ve already reinstalled Windows multiple times and restarted Explorer/DWM, the issue usually comes from a problematic update that may have been installed via Windows Update.

    I think it’s the KB5124008 update. You can uninstall it from Windows Update history and test. Note that KB5124008 fixes a large number of vulnerabilities, including actively exploited zero‑days, so uninstalling it reduces your security posture. Only uninstall it if the issue is blocking critical functionality and you need those features to work. Here are the release notes: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/servicing/os/windows-11/2026/09/kb5124008-windows-11-24h2-25h2-security-update

    In case you want to uninstall:

    1. Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.
    2. Uninstall KB5124008
    3. Reboot and test the taskbar, Start menu, and folders.

    If it fixes your issue:

    Pause Windows Update so it doesn’t get reinstalled, and resume it later when Microsoft has fixed it in an upcoming update.

    Alternatively, you can keep KB5124008 installed and wait for a fix if the issue isn’t critical for you..

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  2. DaveM121 933.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-17T09:57:46.4766667+00:00

    You indicate you have reinstalled Windows 3 times, what method did you use, is that just a Windows Reset or did you backup your files and create a bootable Windows 11 USB and use that to clean install Windows?

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  3. AI answer

    2026-09-17T09:25:35.4766667+00:00

    For Windows 11, version 25H2, there is a documented issue where desktop background settings can reset to black after certain updates, but the context does not document a known 25H2 issue matching this exact pattern of mouse clicks failing in the taskbar, Start menu, and folders while the desktop still accepts clicks.

    The supported troubleshooting path for shell UI problems in the provided material is:

    1. Check for and install the latest Windows update
      • Go to Settings > Windows Update.
      • Install the latest cumulative update available for Windows 11 25H2.
      • This is important because Microsoft has resolved multiple 25H2 shell-related issues through later updates.
    2. Clear the icon cache
      • Save open work first, because Windows Explorer will be restarted.
      • Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
      • In Processes, find Windows Explorer.
      • Right-click Windows Explorer and select End task.
      • In Task Manager, select File > Run new task.
      • Type cmd.exe and create the task with administrative privileges.
      • Run: 
             CD /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local
     DEL IconCache.db /a
      • In Task Manager, select File > Run new task again.
      • Type explorer.exe and press Enter.
    3. Re-register Shell Experience Host
      • Open Windows PowerShell as administrator.
      • Run: 
             Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like "*ShellExperienceHost*"} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
      • Restart Windows.

    Because the issue persists even after reinstalling Windows multiple times, the most relevant supported next step is to make sure the device is fully updated to the latest 25H2 update level before repeating the shell repair steps above.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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