Windows 10: Icons "broken" after alt-tabbing a game on Surface Book

I have stumbled on a quite peculiar problem.

I have a 1st generation Surface Book with a fully updated Windows 10.

I installed a game from Steam Dark Souls II, then alt+tabbed it, and after that desktop icons become "broken".

All desktop icons were grouped at the same location, one above the other. Their active area spanned the whole screen, not just the icon.





The image above shows me hovering the mouse cursor on top of the screen, the icon itself is nowhere to be seen, but its active area spans the whole top row.

I've tried to hide system desktop icons My Computer and Recycle Bin and delete all programs shortcuts, and then add again, but the problem was the same. I tried to change resolution, DPI scaling, connect another monitor, restart, shut down, enter tablet mode, with no success in resolving the problem.

I also tried to restart the game, change game resolution settings, alt+tab again, but the problem stayed the same.


In the dialog to show system desktop icons, I noticed that icons aren't shown...or probably are but I can't find them.





Anyone got an idea on how to solve this?


Thank you.

:)

 

"Surface Detach" Icon Removal on Surface Book Taskbar

Hi,

As per the description I understand that you are trying to remove the Surface detach icon from the Taskbar on your Surface device, we will help you with this issue.

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

You will have to disable the Surface DTX. Follow:

• Press and hold (or right-click) the taskbar and select Task Manager.
• In Task Manager, select the Startup tab.
• Check if the Surface DTX status is shown as Disabled.
• Close Task Manager.
• Go to Start
  
  , and select
  Power > Restart to restart your Surface Book.

Hope it helps. Let us know for further assistance on accessing the Surface device, we will be happy to help you.

Thank you.

 

Weird alt-tab out of fullscreen games.

Hi Simon,

The multitasking capability of a game depends on the total memory of your computer. If you have large amounts of RAM on your computer, it can multitask heavy programs easily like high-end games. To ensure that we can provide the appropriate resolution
for your concerns with the alt-tab function, we’d like to ask you a few questions:

• What were the recent changes made on your computer before you experienced this issue?
• When did the issue start?

• Have you pressed the alt-tab key during you play Rainbow Six Siege? Or it just happen without pressing it?
  
• Does the automatic ALT-TAB behavior happens on other games?
• Do you have any other programs running on your computer while playing?
• What is the anti-virus program you're using?

• What is your device or system specifications? To know, follow these steps:
  1. Press Windows + S and type
     About your PC.
  2. Send us the information listed under Device specifications.
  
  

Moving forward, if you're multitasking while playing, we recommend that you play this game only without doing other tasks. Pressing ALT-TAB or performing a multitasking interferes with the performance of your video card, especially if you're running a heavy
game like Rainbow Six Siege. It will generate screen viewing issues like intermittently switching your game screen between your desktop environment.

For now, restart your game and do not press ALT+TAB while playing. This will allow your video card to dedicate its graphics performance on the game only instead of your desktop environment.

If you would like me to provide additional advice, simply respond to this thread. I will get notified and I’ll reply to you as soon as I can.

 

Updates for Surface Pro and Surface Book - Feb. 13

Source: Updates for Surface Pro and Surface Book (13 February 2018) Surface

See also:

• Surface update history
• Download drivers and firmware for Surface