taskbar is in the background of windowed applications

tavikas · 25 Jan 2017

Suddenly out of the blue my windows taskbar is kept in the background of inactive windowed applications. The applications involved are not full screen and neither maximized but just open in window. No update, except daily windows defender databases, have been recently installed on the system.

Earlier such open windows were visible behind slightly transparent taskbar, but now they are on top of it instead. Being behind an active window but still on top of the taskbar those opened applications are just covering the taskbar where much more options are available.

What should i do to restore the usability of the taskbar?

taskbar is in the background of windowed applications-taskbar.png

Caledon Ken · 27 Jan 2017

Welcome to the TenForums @tavikas

Please have a look at your update history. You are looking for two things, updates that failed and drivers that Windows installed on your behalf. Go back at least two weeks.

If drivers found, roll them back in Device manager. If Window updates failing invoke the Update Troubleshooter.

Type troubleshooting in the Cortana search bar, troubleshooting appears at top.
Click it, window opens, lower right side "Fix problems with Windows Update", click.
Window opens, click on “advance”, click on Run as administrator, click “Next”.
Should run clean. If not run again.

While this idea won't get to root cause can could invoke system restore and take your self back a couple of weeks.

Strongly recommend you research Macrium Reflect for system images. Its free, reliable and a fast way to get back to a working point in time. It also allows you to keep version. An absolute must.