Windows 10: ESC Key not closing Task Manager after updating Windows to 23H2

Hi,I am a long time Windows user, and I recently got a new machine that came with Windows 11 21H2 preinstalled for some reason. I updated it to 23H2 and now I am unable to close task manager using the ESC key. I was wondering if I can fix it somehow, because when I am running something that might take some time, I always open task manager just to see how the system is performing, and press esc to close it, but I can't do it anymore. It's really annoying.

:)

 

Task Manager shortcut keys are not working

@BubbaW

It works fine with my On-Screen Keyboard but on my physical keyboard it does not work. The physical keyboard is only allowing the Right Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys to open up Task Manager Left Ctrl does not work.

Unless I modified it somewhere via Windows 10 settings or software application which there is no way for me to retrace my steps.

 

Task view button not working

Hi,



Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.



I understand your concern and will assist you to resolve this issue.

I suggest you to follow the steps below and check if it helps.

Step1: End Task the Windows Explorer.

• Open task manager (CRTL+SHIFT+ESC)
• Right-click on windows explorer
• End task (Note: don’t close Task manager)
• Click on File > Run new task
• Type explorer.exe and press enter
• Your search bar should be functional again.

Step 2: If Taskbar is not working then I suggest you to check for the latest updates.

• 
  Press Windows logo key +R, enter
  MS-settings: and then press OK. This opens Settings.
  
• 
  In Settings, go to Update & security >
  Windows Update, and then select Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart your PC if required.
  

Step 3: Some problems can be fixed by signing out of your account and then signing back in. Press Ctrl + Alt+ Delete and select
Sign out. Once you’ve signed out, sign back in to your account.



Hope this helps. If the issue remains unresolved, please get back to us and we would be happy to help.

 

windows store close's itself

Hi,

Thank you for updating us on the issue. Try the below steps and check.

I would suggest you to go through the powershell and try the below information provided.

• Open the Task manager. Here’s a tip: Press CTRL+Shift+ESC.
  
• Click File > Run New Task
• Make sure you have a check mark beside “Create this task with administrative privileges”.
• Type Powershell
• Type the following in the Powershell prompt:
  
  $manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest
  
• Close the Powershell window
• Reboot the system.

Thanks.