Solved Initializing Application. Please wait…

I recently upgraded from Windows 10 Pro to 11 Pro on an Asus Prime Z370A desktop and from Windows 10 Home to 11 Home on a hardware-eligible LG Gram laptop (both from the same thumb drive, using Rufus 4.11 and the downloaded 25H2 ISO). The desktop installation was flawless, but the laptop’s otherwise satisfactory installation continues to have an annoying issue.

From the start, an “Initializing Application. Please wait…” message, with a scrolling progress bar appeared on the laptop, but the “initializing” has never finished (even after ~20+ minutes). A ‘ProgressBar’ icon also appeared in the task bar and right-clicking the icon, indicates that it’s related to a CONEXANT SmartAudio 2 sound driver (version details below).
Right-clicking the icon and selecting ‘X Close window,’ temporarily kills the message, but it reappears at the next bootup (other activities also seem to wake it up).
Here’s everything I’ve tried, none of which has resolved the issue:

1. Accessed the Command Prompt via the Advanced options Troubleshoot, and ran bootrec /fixmbr, bootrec /fixboot, bootrec /rebuildbcd, sfc /scannow and chkdsk c: /f /r > restart (message returns)
Note: For each of the next five“solutions,” two drivers were present (i.e. Intel(R) Display Audio and Synaptics SmartSound Audio HD)
2. Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers > Intel(R) Display Audio >Update driver > restart (progress bar message returns)
3. Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers > Synaptics SmartSound Audio HD >Update driver > restart (progress bar message returns)
4. Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers > Synaptics SmartSound Audio HD >Disable device > restart (progress bar message returns)
5. Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers > Synaptics SmartSound Audio HD >Uninstall device > restart (driver reinstalled itself and progress bar message returns)
6. Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers > Synaptics SmartSound Audio HD>Uninstall device > restart > roll-back to previous (driver reinstalled itself and progress bar message returns)
7. Per one internet suggestion: Delete folder “C:\Program Files\CONEXANT (folder doesn’t exist)
8. Per the same suggestion: Delete registry key “HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\ WINDOWS\CURRENT VERSION\UNINSTALL\CONEXTANT_HDA” (key doesn’t exist)

Synaptics SmartSound Audio HD
Driver Date: 3/22/3025
Driver Version: 10.0.26100.3624

Hello @RSquirrel and welcome to Eleven Forum.

I would try the following...

1. Go to the LG website and find the latest version they have of the SmartAudio driver for your laptop.
Download but do not install yet.

2. The do Option Two in the following tutorial...


3. After doing the tutorial, then install the driver you downloaded earlier.


Occasionally, Microsoft installs a driver over and already installed driver, and that can corrupt the driver(s).
The tutorial above will stop MS from doing that.
Those blocked drivers will still be available under Optional updates, if they're ever needed.



And, here's ten points for filling out your desktop computer specs.


Side note: In the past (mostly on Windows 10), MS has had difficulty with CONEXANT drivers and Windows updates.







Here's some other things that you may find useful...

Hi Ghot,

I finally got around to applying your suggested fix, and I'm thrilled to report that it seemed to have worked. I'm surprised that I wasn't able to find the solution via Google searches, but am grateful for your quick and effective response . . .

Ghot,

I clicked the like button, but cannot seem to find where I can respond with "Great support" . . .

RSquirrel said:

Ghot,

I clicked the like button, but cannot seem to find where I can respond with "Great support" . . .

Click to expand...

Hover over the like button & you will have a series of choices. (I did it for you anyway but he deserves another one...)

Hi OAT,

When I hovered over the like icon, all I saw was a series of 7 emojis - what am I doing wrong?

Here you go:

Brink said:

Here you go:

View attachment 147937

Click to expand...

works for me

Brink,

Thanks, I should've kept going. It seems like the method to invoke this acknowledgement feature varies from one forum to another. And who would know that that particular emoji equates to elevated gratitudes? Maybe the additional steps could be incorporate into the message I received - i.e.:

"Showing gratitude is important in online communities. Use the "like" button to appreciate helpful content. This motivates people to keep sharing knowledge. A "like" gives 1 point, "Helpful" gives 5 points, and "Great support" gives 10 points for exceptional help."

@RSquirrel


As others have mentioned... "hover" over the like button to see the choices.
The only ones that give points, are labeled...