Taskbar & Context Menus not displaying correctly


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
       #1

    Taskbar & Context Menus not displaying correctly


    This problem occurred after updating some programs using Secunia's PSI, although I don't believe the updates caused this (more later).
    Problems seen:
    • Taskbar & its icons are displayed in a corrupted form (see screenshot)
    • Date/Time is missing from the Notification area of the Taskbar
    • Context menus (right-click) are not showing their content, just a bar with arrows for lower level items

    After following advice on this board & checking for Shell Extensions and using Safe Mode, the problem still existed. I then restored the hard drive from previous nightly backups (went back 1 day, then 2 days and finally 3 days) but the problem still showed up. The program updates flagged by Secunia were not installed 2 days back, hence I don't believe they are relevant.
    I checked the video driver and it did need updating, but that did not fix the issue.

    I am at a complete loss as to what is causing this - does anyone have any suggestions.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Taskbar & Context Menus not displaying correctly-screenshot-1-.png  
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, see what happens if you create a new user (for test purposes). I assume you see similar problems in Safe Mode, so a clean boot would not prove anything.

    Otherwise I would suggest an in-place upgrade repair install if you are convinced this is not due to the impact of something installed. Clearly you have a lot running.

    As you already have disk images, if the in-place upgrade repair install does not help, you can always restore your current build.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Had to rebuild my system


    Had to rebuild the Laptop to solve the problem. At least it is now done, but reminds me why I hate having to do it......so many apps to reinstall and configure....and wherever possible, I had saved app configurations for reload.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 30,117
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #4

    Please look into Macruim Reflect. It will really make your recoveries less stressful and less time consuming. It is free.

    I do hear you though, reliability really has to go way up.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I am running Hard Drive backup with StorageCraft ShadowProtect. Program is very reliable and I have used it many times for restoring an entire drive image and for browsing an image and restoring specific folders/files. I am very happy with it.

    This problem was not resolved by re-building from the drive image, and I did go back a week...one day at a time! Given that situation, I was beginning to suspect hardware, but nothing bad showed up in diagnostics. I rebuilt Windows 10 from its Installation files, since the Recovery disk would not work.

    System has been running for a week with no problems (if you don't count the many times I have discovered that I forgot to re-install an app or configure it as I like it).
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    Hi, there is a huge difference between running a program like that, which I presume relies on the hard disk being functional and perhaps Windows being bootable and creating images stored on an external medium.

    Think of the of the following scenarios:
    1. Your disk fails
    2. You are infected by ransomware so you are severely restricted as to what you can do
    3. Someone steals your PC

    In all of the above cases disk imaging can help you.

    Turning now to time-consuming reinstallation. I did suggest an in-place upgrade repair install.
    This is a complete refresh of Windows which keeps all your programs and data, and most settings.

    For full instructions, visit the Tutorial section.Essentially this is launching Windows setup when booted normally.
      My Computers


 

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