Solved File Explorer Icon Stuck in Task Bar

When I click on the File Explorer icon, a new icon opens up on the task bar, but I can't open it on the desktop. Something similar has been happening with Thunderbird. When I reply to a message or start a new message, an icon opens on the task bar, but I can't get it to open on the desktop to write to it. I thought this was just a Thunderbird problem, but now it has happened in File Exploer too, I think it must be a generic Win11 problem.

If you leave the mouse (hover) over the icon on the taskbar, you should see a small preview of the application. If you click to this preview it should open the application window. I do that when occasionally an application is stuck and cannot access it. In some cases, when not even this works you have to open Task Manager, click bottom left to show more and then go to Details. Find the application (Explorer or Thunderbird), click on it and press DEL or click End Task. Close them all if you see multiple instances, then try to load the application again. If you get this bug frequently, you may have to repair system files. Right-click on the start button and open a Command Prompt/PowerShell/Terminal as Administrator. Then execute sfc /scannow. To fix Thunderbird download the latest version and install it (even if you already have the latest). It will detect the current version and upgrade it fixing any issues.

Have you been using any external monitors? If so, Windows might still be trying to open the application window on one of them.
- You can try repeated use of WinKey-RightArrow and/or WinKey-LeftArrow to see if that will bring the application window back into view.
- You could also try WinKey-P then choose Extended view and then repeat WinKey-P but choosing This PC only.

Denis

Thanks for responding to my post. I already tried mousing over the taskbar icon of both Thunderbird and File Explorer icons. As you say, you can see the appropriate content summarised, but clicking on it won't open it. I've tried right clicking on the icons to see if any of the menu options help, but they don't. I can delete them. I usually do this by clicking on the top right x on the icon.

I tried src /scannow. I found this advice on a related post which was recommended after I submited my post. Unfortunately, it did not find anything it couldn't fix. In case this did fix the problem, I tried again, but the problem was the same. I also saw some advice about going to the registery to change some parameters on the mouse, but they already had the recomended settings.

I did already try reinstall Thunderbird twice - the 2nd time with a version that was especially recommended for Win 11.

I'm now out of ideas, so would welcome any more suggestions.

Thanks.

Thanks Denis. I tried the win+ options, but no luck. I don't have a secondary screen, so that option just gave me a blank screen.

PS - something just worked, but I'm not 100% sure what. I was playing around with the winkey options and asked for additional options. I think it was when I asked for connection to a wireless display (which I don't have - or so I thought). Suddenly, the File Explorer and Thunderbird icons came back to life!!

The last update broke some 3rd party software that alters the GUI. If you are using such software (ie start 11, explorerpatcher, open shell, etc) uninstall it and restart to see if your problem is resolved. Then go to developer site and download latest version of software.