Solved Desktop Window Manager Gone

[kel37211]

So just recently my Aero effects have stopped working, I can't change the transparency or window color, and my dwm is not even running or listed in the services as you can see in the picture.

I've tried running the aero trouble shooter and it says DWM is disabled and the service isn't running.

The themes service is running and automatic. I've tried net stop uxsms and net start uxsms, and it says the service name is invalid. I've also tried multiple system restores' before and after updates. I'm not sure if this is the problem or not but Windows 7 Service Pack 1 for x64-based Systems (KB976932) won't install either, I've tried System Repair and Clean start up then manually installing it but it won't work.

If I do net stop uxsms it says "The service name is invalid.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2185."

 

[Francis93]

Are your graphics drivers up to date?

 

[Ztruker]

According to my Win 7 Pro X64 system, DWM has no dependencies.

Open the Run dialog and paste the following into it:

C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted

That is what the Path to executable shows on my system. See if that starts DWM.

In the registry, I find 3 entries for LocalSystemNetworkRestricted.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\RADAR\HeapLeakDetection\DiagnosedApplications\svchost.exe_LocalSystemNetworkRestricted]
"LastDetectionTime"=hex(b):fc,bc,d0,6d,dc,e1,cb,01

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Svchost\LocalSystemNetworkRestricted]
"CoInitializeSecurityParam"=dword:00000001

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Svchost\LocalSystemNetworkRestricted]
"CoInitializeSecurityParam"=dword:00000001

Check your system, see what is at these locations. If necessary you could create a .reg file to merge these keys int your registry. If you need help doing that let me know and I'll provide a sing .reg that you can use.

 

[kel37211]

Are your graphics drivers up to date?

Yes

According to my Win 7 Pro X64 system, DWM has no dependencies.

Open the Run dialog and paste the following into it:

C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted

That is what the Path to executable shows on my system. See if that starts DWM.

In the registry, I find 3 entries for LocalSystemNetworkRestricted.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\RADAR\HeapLeakDetection\DiagnosedApplications\svchost.exe_LocalSystemNetworkRestricted]
"LastDetectionTime"=hex(b):fc,bc,d0,6d,dc,e1,cb,01

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Svchost\LocalSystemNetworkRestricted]
"CoInitializeSecurityParam"=dword:00000001

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Svchost\LocalSystemNetworkRestricted]
"CoInitializeSecurityParam"=dword:00000001

Check your system, see what is at these locations. If necessary you could create a .reg file to merge these keys int your registry. If you need help doing that let me know and I'll provide a sing .reg that you can use.

C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted

Didn't work, think you could provide the .reg?

 

[Ztruker]

Before you try the .reg file, look at the current values using regedit, see if they are different. If not no point in merging the .reg file.

Here is the reg file. Basically it's what I entered before just removing the two additional Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 lines:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\RADAR\HeapLeakDetection\DiagnosedApplications\svchost.exe_LocalSystemNetworkRestricted]
"LastDetectionTime"=hex(b):fc,bc,d0,6d,dc,e1,cb,01

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Svchost\LocalSystemNetworkRestricted]
"CoInitializeSecurityParam"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Svchost\LocalSystemNetworkRestricted]
"CoInitializeSecurityParam"=dword:00000001

Copy the above and paste into a notepad window.
Click File then Save as and call it DWM_fix.reg (or whatever you want to call it). Make sure Save as type All files (*.*) is selected when saving the file or Windows will add a .txt to the end and you'll end up with DWM_fix.reg.txt.

 

[kel37211]

registry change didn't work, still not fixed.

 

[Britton30]

In the Start Search, type Services and then click on View local services. In the right pane find Desktop Window Manager Session Manager, double click its name and make sure start up is set to Automatic, and is running.

 

[kel37211]

As mentioned in the first post, it's not a listed service, meaning its not even in the services list.

 

[Britton30]

As mentioned in the first post, it's not a listed service, meaning its not even in the services list.

I'm sorry about that . Is the same service listed in msconfig/Services with a check mark?
I have had this same issue and I fixed it with a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html#post31238 .
Also go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Troubleshooting\Appearance and Personalization and run the Aero Trouble shooter to see how that works.

 

[kel37211]

It's not there and I've already ran the troubleshooter, the error I got is in the original post.

 

[Ztruker]

Have you seen this thread yet? Desktop Window Manager service is missing

 

[kel37211]

Have you seen this thread yet? Desktop Window Manager service is missing

Yes, I got " [SC] OpenService FAILED 1060:

The specified service does not exist as an installed service. "

I don't have another computer to export the registry key from.

 

[Bongo]

Here you go backup your registry 1st http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/4230-registry-backup-restore.html
Jerry

 

[kel37211]

Here you go backup your registry 1st http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/4230-registry-backup-restore.html
Jerry

Sweet! That worked, I merged then restarted. Thanks to everyone for the help!

 

[Britton30]

Very good news! Much better than a repair install.