Solved File Explorer Icon Stuck in Task Bar


bundy

New member
Local time
1:23 PM
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4
OS
Windows11 Home
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    Device name Star Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5700G with Radeo
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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 64-bit (build 22631.3235)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    VDSL 50 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro v23H2 (build 22631.3235)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    Gainward NE5105T018G1-1070F (nVidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti 4GB GDDR5)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Patriot Burst Elite 480GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Stock Intel CPU Fan, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Mouse
    Sunnyline OptiEye PS/2
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Internet Speed
    100Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4
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
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    Device name Star Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5700G with Radeo
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    Device name Star Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5700G with Radeo
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!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    Device name Star Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5700G with Radeo
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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

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