Windows 10: Taskbar is not working correctly, right clicking taskbar and selecting an option does not work.

Hello, I encountered a weird issue with Win10. So, this has happened to me on version 1903 and 1909. In 1909 every time this issue popped up, I would just do an in-place upgrade, and that would solve it. When I upgraded to 2004 though, the issue reappeared and I am unable to correct it.

A few notes.

• 
  I did a clean install too. The issue persisted, and seems to occur randomly after installing an app. Example: I installed ROG Game Center, no issue, then installed Office, and the issue appears. Sometimes happens the other way around too.
  
  
• 
  I am Portuguese, and I am at this time trying to rule out a localization problem.
  
  
• 
  I talked to MS support, both level 1 and level 2, and the issue remains unresolved, and all the solutions that were provided by MS Support were things I already tried create new user, in place upgrade, clean install, DISM commands, etc.
  
  
• 
  SFC /Scannow comes up with no corruption
  
  
• 
  Hidden Admin Account Works fine, and I will have to test to see if I can install all programs via that account and see if it breaks the taskbar.
  
  
• 
  My system originally came with no OS. It's a 2017 ROG STRIX GL703GM
  
  • 
    Specs:
    
    • 
      Intel i7-8750H
      
      
    • 
      nVidia GTX 1060
      
      
    • 
      16GB RAM
      
      
    • 
      UEFI Updated 5/5/2020
      
      
    • 
      Running Windows 10 Pro Retail
      
      
    • 
      256SSD and a 1TB SHD
      
• 
  The videos shown here are from the US locale version. I will test on a clean PT-PT locale, directly on 2004 and on 1909.
  
  
• 
  I also tried to do something weird to fix it, tried a clean install of a US Localized version of 1809, then consequently upgraded it to 2004. But the issue appeared on 1809 the same thing, just with no message, then the message appeared on 1903 see video, it's basically the same in 1903/1909/2004.
  

More notes

• DISM is not able to correct the issue. Even when using an image that I know it is working, such as an install media. This happens on 2004
• DISM is able to correct the issue using an install media on version 1909, at least in a US Localization did not test on PT Locale.
• At this time I am testing to see if installing in the admin account breaks the taskbar.

Reproducing the bug

• 
  This bug occurs when, for example, I right click the file explorer pin on the taskbar and then select for example, Desktop. I left click it and it pops up a message stating that "the item you selected is unavailable". And that happens for every single shortcut. On Microsoft Edge Legacy right clicking it and left clicking on a task works. But if I click on a recent page that was opened, it states the same message
  
  
• 
  Also, when right clicking on the pin, and then left clicking on the pinned app see second video it will not open said app. But if I left click the pin, the app opens normally.
  

I've tried everything, and I'm just waiting for the media tool 2004 to create a USB drive so I can do a clean install of 2004 in the Portugal Locale. I also have a second HDD on the system, I haven't tried clearing it as well, to test, but it should not impact the installs and it should not affect the corruption, but I'll have to test it correctly, when I back up everything that's there.

I'm hoping that posting here will maybe get someone that had this to share their solution with me or see what I can do to do this. Please see the videos attached.

:)

 

Taskbar not working


Hello, there are so many threads on this topic, which can readily be found using the white search box at the top.

Here are a few I've found for you. I suggest you work through these, and if no success, please list everything you've tried and post back. Good luck!

Solved Start Button and taskbar not working - Page 4 - Windows 10 Forums
Taskbar/Start button not working! - Page 15 - Windows 10 Forums
Start button right clicking on taskbar icons suddenly does not work - Windows 10 Forums

 

Feature suggestion: Add right-click menu

Suggestion: Please add a Windows 7 Jump-List and/or right-click menu to the GPU-Z icon in the Windows taskbar. Possible menus in it would be "Exit" and "About GPU-Z...".
Maybe also "Switch to tab 1/Switch to tab 2/Switch to videocard 1/Switch to videocard 2" too.
Examples of programs that have such menus are ICQ, Skype, AIM.

NOTE: It seems for a right-click menu, Windows 7 is not needed - it works on WinXP and Vista too.
But even a Windows 7 Jump-list may be good enough.
What do you think?

 

Taskbar > File Explorer > Right Click > Pinned > Not Opening with any


Registered to say I have the same problem and to give as much detail as possible.

In case anyone has a problem understanding the OP's description of the issue, it's fairly simple:

1. Right-click on File Explorer icon on Taskbar.
2. Left-click any location under 'Pinned' or 'Recent'.
3. The menu closes as it should, but no Explorer window opens at all.

Notes:

• The only option under the File Explorer taskbar icon that works is the option called 'File Explorer', which just brings you to Quick Access.
• Instead of left-clicking on a location under 'Pinned' or 'Recent', you can also right-click and select 'Open'. However, this ALSO does not work.
• All functionality besides opening Explorer windows works, including right-clicking a location and selecting 'Properties'. (Given that the whole point is to open Explorer windows though, this seriously damages the usefulness of it.)
• Unpinning File Explorer from the Taskbar and then repinning it does not help.
• I've even tried unpinning File Explorer from the Taskbar, deleting it from C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Taskbar\, restarting the computer, and pinning a new window. The problem persists.
• ALL other taskbar icons' menus work fine, including ones that did not work properly for me on Windows 8.1 (Skype's menu options wouldn't work for me on 8.1 and they work fine on 10).