Darken Background Windows breaks Windows 10 Task View

from Stardock Forums

If I enable the darken background windows feature of WindowFX 6, then go to the 'task view' (Win-Tab) I get trapped in that view and can't get out short of logging off or rebooting.  

I like the 'darken background windows' feature especially since I have multiple monitors but I also like the multiple desktops feature of Windows (think Apple Mission Control or Linux) since I tend to keep a lot of windows open and they tend to relate to various tasks.

I realize this is a new Windows feature and probably not a lot of people use it (yet) but I'd love to be able to use both features together.

It's probably a "hook" that gets broken when Microsoft takes over the UI, or maybe more like WindowFX blocks the user event of selecting a window when it's being displayed in the TaskView 'preview'.

Hoping it won't be too hard to fix but reporting the problem seemed like a good idea so at least it gets on the radar for bug fixes.

I love your work Stardock!

--Douglas

A Michigander!  :P

windowfx
22,066 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

I am sorry for your problem, unfortunately, I can't reproduce your problem on my Windows 10 system.

Could you try the purge and reinstall steps to see if the problem go away https://forums.stardock.com/485903/windowfx-support-faq#reinstalling

Please report back. Thank you.

 

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

I did the reinstall as instructed - reinstall was successful but the problem with TaskView reappeared as soon as I activated the 'darken background windows' feature just as before.  If/when I disable the feature TaskView immediate works as designed.

I reduced to a single monitor - that doesn't fix it.

I disabled/quit other extensions - that didn't fix it.

Since you can't repeat it perhaps it's my Windows build, I'm on 1803 OS Build 17133.73.  I'm also running on Nvidia GPU and drivers.

I have a number of computers here, so perhaps tomorrow I'll try it on another system.

On a single monitor config, when I activate TaskView the windows don't shrink down and the bar that's supposed to draw across the top doesn't display.  Then the Windows don't respond to user interaction and it's difficult to return to non-taskview mode.

It seems that I had this problem once before with a earlier release of Windows 10 when the TaskView was very young.  So perhaps it's a problem with one/more new features of TaskView.

Since the version of Windows I'm running is a late beta of the soon to be widely released April Windows Update maybe we can get it fixed before it becomes a widespread problem.

--Douglas

Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Okay.. I am on Version 1709 OS Build 16299.371. So maybe that why.

Anyway, I have forwarded your report to the Stardock support team for their review and recommendations. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We really do appreciate your feedback, thanks.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

I've been experiencing this problem as well. It was mild in previous versions, but in Windows 10 v1803, it completely breaks Task View, making it extremely difficult to return the screen's behavior to normal. Please address this as soon as possible.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

I have forwarded your report to the Stardock support team for their review and recommendations. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We really do appreciate your feedback, thanks.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Ah... I finally tracked down the source of my issues! I have this same problem. Any idea if there is a fix in the works? This feature has been out in Windows for a while.

OS Name Microsoft Windows 10 Home

Version 10.0.17134 Build 17134

Adapter Description NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970

Driver Version 24.21.13.9764

WindowFX 6.03 

 

I do NOT have the darken background windows feature active but if I have WindowFX on and toggle task view I get a blank screen and I have to keep trying to switch between apps until it kicks out of the task view. I have completely disabled WindowFX for now.

 

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

I have forwarded your problem to Stardock Support team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

 

Basj

Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I tried this and I can't reproduce what you guys are experiencing. If you are using WindowBlinds please update to the Beta version as the previous build had problems with Task View.

Win 10 Pro v1803

Dual monitor

GT 730 with the latest Nvidia drivers

WindowFX 6.03

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

I don't think its has anything to do with Windowblinds at all. It just WindowsFX with the darken "inactive windows" turn-on. The problem went away as soon as I turned it off. BTW, I am on Win10 V1803 build 17134.165 now and I can reproduce the problem. As I said, I have pushed the problem to Stardock Support Team.

Thank you,

 

Basj,

Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

It has nothing to do with Windowblinds. I never installed that and I have the problem. It only occurs with the 'darken inactive windows' feature enabled.

Please try to reproduce this. It is a great feature that I would love to re-enable.

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

It has been reported internally.  While we cannot provide a timeline for a resolution, keep an eye on this thread for updates.

----------------
Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

It isn't just Darken Windows, I have that disabled. If I have WindowFX turned on, toggling task view causes problems. It doesn't launch (though the screen darkens) and two "Task View" items appear on the Alt+Tab switcher (one for each monitor I suppose) but nothing works. Eventually if I wait long enough, I can Win+Tab and it will bring up the Task View but it is laggy and doesn't work properly. All I can do at that point is toggle it off via the taskbar. If I turn off WindowFX, I can taskbar click or Win+Tab into Task View quickly and it all works correctly.

I can send a full sysinfo dump to someone if that will help and/or gather other debugging info if it will help.