Solved Missing Windows 11 Toolbar after Windows update.

BaJohn · Mar 6, 2024

Try3 said:
Yes.
What you did was a Repair install procedure.

Denis

Ok - thanks. Must finish now as cannot work on this anymore today (I have to be elsewhere).
Good job my TOP-MOUSE Win 10 PC still works - It will be 13 years old at the end of April.

Will start again to do a Clean Install tomorrow as early as I can (UK time).

Try3 · Mar 6, 2024

BaJohn said:
No there were not.

Try3 said:
If it's not that it is some third-party application stopping Windows working properly. So you'd need to work through Clean boot procedures - see Clean Boot to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts - ElevenForumTutorials

BaJohn said:
Will start again to do a Clean Install tomorrow as early as I can (UK time).

I still urge you to try Clean boot procedures first because the problem might be caused by some third-party software [application / driver] clashing with Windows.

Best of luck either way,
Denis

Flashorn · Mar 6, 2024

OK, if you can read this before any other actions are taken, I would advise that
you read this as I didn't know that the latest update KB5034765 that did install
on most PCs is or might be at the root of your problem.
Apparently, the update will in fact, impact the ability to show the Taskbar and
crashes other components.
Here is part of the reporting from PCWorld which I will include the link below.

"installation process hangs at 96 percent"

"For example, the taskbar sometimes disappears or File Explorer crashes after installing KB5034765."

There is a work around in the article so, try this before you re-install IF I'm not too late.

Microsoft confirms broken Windows 11 update, offers workaround

Windows 11 update KB5034765 keeps causing new problems on computers.

www.pcworld.com

BaJohn · Mar 6, 2024

Flashorn said:
"For example, the taskbar sometimes disappears or File Explorer crashes after installing KB5034765."

I've not had KB5034765 on my Win 11 PC (at least not in the last 90 days).

My problem is with KB5035226 which was installed (or partly installed) on Sat 2nd March 2024.

BaJohn · Mar 6, 2024

I will start again tomorrow with the "Clean Boot" and follow that with the "Clean Install".
Oh would like to know how to stop the offending Update installing straight after the clean install?

Flashorn · Mar 6, 2024

BaJohn said:
I will start again tomorrow with the "Clean Boot" and follow that with the "Clean Install".
Oh would like to know how to stop the offending Update installing straight after the clean install?

We usually hide the updates that are not wanted using the wushowhide.cab to hide the updates:

Download wushowhide - MajorGeeks

wushowhide is a troubleshooting app from Microsoft that allows you to show or hide Windows Updates. wushowhide is no longer available from Microsoft. See our video tutorial for more information.

www.majorgeeks.com

There's a video that will explain how to use it. Very simple.
But, the update might not show.

As for the Clean Boot, don't waste your time. Clean boot is to see if there are any offending services or software
that would stop or otherwise hinder some programs or processes.
Just do a Clean install and be done with it.

Flashorn · Mar 6, 2024

Can you still access the Windows update section of Settings using shell:appsfolder trick?
if so, open Settings and click on the Windows Update and access the Update History
Take a screen shot if possible or tell us which updates are in there pls:

BaJohn · Mar 7, 2024

Flashorn said:
Can you still access the Windows update section of Settings using shell:appsfolder trick?
if so, open Settings and click on the Windows Update and access the Update History
Take a screen shot if possible or tell us which updates are in there pls:

View attachment 89380

No I don't think I can - I can get to MyPC and all the files on the PC.
I cannot minimise any window as they are lost (in the missing TaskBar.
I cannot close any window as they lockup.
I can list what was there just after the problem occurred from my Belarc output.
Hotfixes installed in last 90 days.
KB5034848 02/03/24
KB5035226 02/03/24 <= The culprit
KB5034467 14/02/24
KB5034225 24/01/24
These are shown as on Belarc, so if they are in order of date AND time, KB5034848 was installed AFTER the bad guy.

BaJohn · Mar 7, 2024

Flashorn said:
We usually hide the updates that are not wanted using the wushowhide.cab to hide the updates:

Seems a bit complicated to me and I'm not sure it would help if the bad KB installed directly after an update etc.
I think I would like to stop updates for 7 days instead, BUT cannot work out how to do it with my limited access to the system.

Another thought crossed my mind - Is it possible to uninstall the offending KB?
I know that normally there is an option to do it via the windows update interface, BUT I don't think I can access that from my PC.

Bree · Mar 7, 2024

BaJohn said:
I can list what was there just after the problem occurred from my Belarc output.
Hotfixes installed in last 90 days.
KB5034848 02/03/24
KB5035226 02/03/24 <= The culprit
KB5034467 14/02/24
KB5034225 24/01/24
These are shown as on Belarc, so if they are in order of date AND time, KB5034848 was installed AFTER the bad guy.

You can generate the same list using Powershell. You can see that the last three hotfixes I had were the same as yours, and in the same order. You can also see I still have a Taskbar.

saigoneses · Mar 7, 2024

Thanks to reading this post to clarify KB5034765 causing windows taskbar flickering dis-appeared & re-appeared since my beta updated on Feb 27, it turns out I'm not the only victim to get this nightmare caused by windows broken update

That is the reason why when I installing window update to 2 my PCs and 1 Dell laptop, all of three devices got the same symptom as above mentioned so I mostly cannot work properly

I cannot wait for Microsoft to fix so I left beta channel then re-install official build by repair version. It turns out KB5034765 is the root cause

BaJohn · Mar 7, 2024

Bree said:
You can generate the same list using Powershell. You can see that the last three hotfixes I had were the same as yours, and in the same order. You can also see I still have a Taskbar.

View attachment 89411

That is interesting as the KB5035226 isn't in list of windows updates - then and now.

Not quite certain what this means......

Bree · Mar 7, 2024

BaJohn said:
That is interesting as the KB5035226 isn't in list of windows updates - then and now....
Not quite certain what this means......

The Cumulative Update KB5034848 includes a Servicing Stack Update (SSU) as a combined package. The SSU has its own hotfix ID: KB5035226, but does not have a separate KB article of its own, the one for the CU covers both. While you can uninstall the Latest Cumulative Update (LCU) you cannot uninstall the SSU that came with it.

Microsoft said:
Microsoft combines the latest servicing stack update (SSU) for your operating system with the latest cumulative update (LCU). For general information about SSUs, see Servicing stack updates and Servicing Stack Updates (SSU): Frequently Asked Questions.

KB5034765 Windows 11 Cumulative Update Build 22621.3155 (22H2) and 22631.3155 (23H2)

UPDATE 2/29: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/kb5034848-windows-11-cumulative-update-build-22621-3235-22h2-and-22631-3235-23h2.23049/ Microsoft Support: February 13, 2024 - KB5034765 (OS Builds 22621.3155 and 22631.3155) UPDATED 2/27/24 IMPORTANT: New dates for the end of non-security updates for...

www.elevenforum.com

BaJohn · Mar 7, 2024

Bree said:
The Cumulative Update KB5034848 includes a Servicing Stack Update (SSU) as a combined package. The SSU has its own hotfix ID: KB5035226, but does not have a separate KB article of its own, the one for the CU covers both. While you can uninstall the Latest Cumulative Update (LCU) you cannot uninstall the SSU that came with it.

KB5034765 Windows 11 Cumulative Update Build 22621.3155 (22H2) and 22631.3155 (23H2)

UPDATE 2/29: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/kb5034848-windows-11-cumulative-update-build-22621-3235-22h2-and-22631-3235-23h2.23049/ Microsoft Support: February 13, 2024 - KB5034765 (OS Builds 22621.3155 and 22631.3155) UPDATED 2/27/24 IMPORTANT: New dates for the end of non-security updates for...

www.elevenforum.com

So the problem could be with either KB and the SSU cannot be uninstalled.
Is it worth me trying to uninstall the KB5034848 in you opinion @Bree

Bree · Mar 7, 2024

BaJohn said:
Is it worth me trying to uninstall the KB5034848 in you opinion @Bree

It shouldn't do any harm in trying. I can't give an opinion on whether it would help, not having seen that issue on any of my machines.

If you can't get to Settings to do it from there, there are other ways to uninstall the KB5034848 LCU.......

Microsoft said:
If you want to remove the LCU

To remove the LCU after installing the combined SSU and LCU package, use the DISM/Remove-Package command line option with the LCU package name as the argument. You can find the package name by using this command: DISM /online /get-packages.

Running Windows Update Standalone Installer (wusa.exe) with the /uninstall switch on the combined package will not work because the combined package contains the SSU. You cannot remove the SSU from the system after installation.

KB5034848 Windows 11 Cumulative Update Build 22621.3235 (22H2) and 22631.3235 (23H2)

UPDATE 3/12: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/kb5035853-windows-11-cumulative-update-build-22621-3296-22h2-and-22631-3296-23h2.23411/ Microsoft Support: February 29, 2024 - KB5034848 (OS Builds 22621.3235 and 22631.3235) Preview IMPORTANT: New dates for the end of non-security updates for Windows...

www.elevenforum.com

...or boot to Advanced Startup.

uninstall_update_advanced_startup-4-png.16384

Uninstall Updates in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to uninstall a Windows Update in Windows 11. Windows Update keeps Windows 11 updated by automatically downloading and installing the latest updates, drivers, and hotfixes released by Microsoft. While it is not recommended to uninstall any installed updates, you...

www.elevenforum.com

OAT · Mar 7, 2024

BaJohn said:
I know that normally there is an option to do it via the windows update interface, BUT I don't think I can access that from my PC.

You can John by using the run new task from Task Manager:

Code:

ms-settings:windowsupdate

<enter>

Then select update history,
Scroll all the way down where it says Uninstall Updates.

BaJohn · Mar 7, 2024

Bree said:
It shouldn't do any harm in trying. I can't give an opinion on whether it would help, not having seen that issue on any of my machines.

View attachment 89415

If you can't get to Settings to do it from there, there are other ways to uninstall the KB5034848 LCU.......

KB5034848 Windows 11 Cumulative Update Build 22621.3235 (22H2) and 22631.3235 (23H2)

UPDATE 3/12: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/kb5035853-windows-11-cumulative-update-build-22621-3296-22h2-and-22631-3296-23h2.23411/ Microsoft Support: February 29, 2024 - KB5034848 (OS Builds 22621.3235 and 22631.3235) Preview IMPORTANT: New dates for the end of non-security updates for Windows...

www.elevenforum.com

...or boot to Advanced Startup.

Uninstall Updates in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to uninstall a Windows Update in Windows 11. Windows Update keeps Windows 11 updated by automatically downloading and installing the latest updates, drivers, and hotfixes released by Microsoft. While it is not recommended to uninstall any installed updates, you...

www.elevenforum.com

WELL WELL WELL What a surprise.
Using the Uninstall Last Quality (?) Update, it rebooted, I signed in and the TaskBar was there.
I was sitting watching intently with finger poised on my mouse, so as soon as it came back I was into setting => Window Update => Pause the updates for 5 weeks. So KB5034848 was the offending KB.
I will have a check of what damage all this messing around has caused, BUT how do I move forward as I can't ignore the problem forever with ignoring all updates?
Should I contact Microsoft (in what way) to let them know there is a problem, as I can't be the only person in the world with this problem!

Bree · Mar 7, 2024

BaJohn said:
So KB5034848 was the offending KB.
I will have a check of what damage all this messing around has caused, BUT how do I move forward as I can't ignore the problem forever with ignoring all updates?

glad you got your Taskbar back.

KB5034858 was an optional Preview CU, a first look at the non-security updates intended for the next Patch Tuesday CU. To avoid these optional updates installing automatically turn off 'Get the latest updates as soon as they're available' in Windows Update.

BaJohn said:
Should I contact Microsoft (in what way) to let them know there is a problem, as I can't be the only person in the world with this problem!

The Feedback Hub is the best way, that way MS should have time to fix this before the Patch Tuesday CU.

Send feedback to Microsoft with the Feedback Hub app - Microsoft Support

Learn how to use Feedback Hub to report problems or send suggestions to Microsoft.

support.microsoft.com

BaJohn · Mar 7, 2024

Thank you everybody for all your help so far, this has been a challenging process for me and quite stressful and time consuming.
I'm off for a while to check the PC for any other quirks and finish my late lunch here over the pond in UK.
Hopefully there is a permanent solution for the future lurking somewhere!

BaJohn · Mar 7, 2024

This is unbelievable:- My wife is on another site using a Win 11 Home PC and she phones me up just now (all in a very upset state) as she had turned the power of on the PC, instead of closing down properly. When she switched power back on and signed in the normal screen came up with the TaskBar missing. In the conversation she said that the PC had updated first thing this morning as she had to wait for it to finish and she was annoyed about the wait. Obviously I took her through how to reboot from there (I'm now an expert on this) and the problem went away.
Strange how with that PC it is intermittent and with my PC the problem seemed permanent.