Open programs disappear


  1. Posts : 136
    Windows 7
       #1

    Open programs disappear


    Hi guys,

    Just recently a staff member has been having issues whereby their open programs will disappear from the screen. I scrolled over the Show Desktop icon on the taskbar and the staff member said that the result is the same as what happens randomly. They assure me that when the programs disappear the mouse is not over Show Desktop icon but can be anywhere on the screen.
    The desktop and all the icons can be seen.
    If the mouse is moved around the programs come back to life.
    Any ideas on what the issue might be?

    Regards,

    Sean
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #2

    Happy Holidays
    I have helped many with this problem and it always begins with the mouse was not on the show desktop icon and later it is found that it is
    May I suggest that you turn the icon off
    Just right click on it and untick peek at desktop
    After this is done if you still have the problem, may I suggest
    Go to search
    type
    device manager and make sure that the graphics driver is up to date and not showing yellow warning markers
    Then go to event viewer when this happens (from search) and go to adminstrative section and look for errors
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 136
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks richc46 for the quick reply. I'll give that a go.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2,009
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #4

    Just an idea and certainly a longshot
    Defective Keyboard....the Keyboard command WIN (key) +D minimizes everything so if those two keys get stuck
    all you see is the Desktop.
    Or let's say it's a wireless keyboard and one key on the tv remote just happens to send a similar signal...
    Like I said...it's a long shot

    -DG
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 136
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Long shots are always fun! :-P
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 136
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Hey there,

    Found that the Peek at Desktop is greyed out, guessing this is a permissions issue?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,009
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #7

    Check in taskmanager if dwm.exe (Desktop Windows Manager) under the Processes-Tab is running
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,483
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #8

    Must be a permissions issue set in the Local Policy Editor because I have dwm.exe running and can select the option with no problem:

    Open programs disappear-screenshot00329.jpg

    Seeing as how you demonstrated the feature, you most likely have dwm running.
      My Computer


 

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