Taskbar mouseover on Explorer gives a ghost thumbnail alongside real one.


D

d4005

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Win11 Pro 25H2
For the last couple of days, despite only having one active Explorer window, when I mouseover the pinned icon on the taskbar, it shows this double thumbnail situation. The one on the left is the active window. If I then mouseover onto that (or close it) I see it referring to my active window. If I instead mouseover onto the right one, all windows hide. If I try to close it via it's click button, nothing happens. When I do close the one on the left (the real active window) then both disappear.

Screenshot 2025-11-23 095300.webp

Anyone know what the deal is with that?
 

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Win11 Pro 25H2Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX32GBNVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Laptop GPU
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Win11 Pro 25H2
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Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G6 IAX
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Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
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NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Laptop GPU
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Also an m4 Mac Mini for work dev stuff that I operate remotely via HelpWire.
Question...are you using any 3rd party software that alters the GUI?
 

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  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
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    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
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    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
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    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
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    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
glasskuter said:
Question...are you using any 3rd party software that alters the GUI?
Click to expand...

No, this is a fairly new machine and I'm sure I didn't install anything like that.

Screenshot 2025-11-23 102630.webp
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11 Pro 25H2Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX32GBNVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Laptop GPU
OS
Win11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G6 IAX
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
Memory
32GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Laptop GPU
Monitor(s) Displays
3 external monitors, Samsung 43" super widescreen (providing 2x 1080p via separate inputs), 1x LG 27" 1080p
Screen Resolution
2560x1600 and 3x 1920x1080
Hard Drives
1TB SSD internal, 2x4TB SSD external
Keyboard
Logitech illuminated and silent thing
Mouse
Traditional MS Intellimouse
Internet Speed
256Mb down/50Mb up
Browser
Chrome mostly, Edge for PDF's, Brave for YouTube
Antivirus
MalwareBytes/Defender
Other Info
Also an m4 Mac Mini for work dev stuff that I operate remotely via HelpWire.
I am assuming you have restarted since this issue began. Correct?

I would start by eliminating software conflict as being the issue using a clean boot. If it does not happen while in clean boot you have software conflicting with windows. This tutorial will help you use the process of elimination to find which one.
Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    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
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
glasskuter said:
I am assuming you have restarted since this issue began. Correct?

I would start by eliminating software conflict as being the issue using a clean boot. If it does not happen while in clean boot you have software conflicting with windows. This tutorial will help you use the process of elimination to find which one.
Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts
Click to expand...

I'm gonna keep that in my back pocket. I fully expect that a regular restart might make this go away, until the day comes when it's back again. Was just hoping someone would know what it is. Something as simple as toggling an option somewhere.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11 Pro 25H2Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX32GBNVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Laptop GPU
OS
Win11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G6 IAX
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
Memory
32GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Laptop GPU
Monitor(s) Displays
3 external monitors, Samsung 43" super widescreen (providing 2x 1080p via separate inputs), 1x LG 27" 1080p
Screen Resolution
2560x1600 and 3x 1920x1080
Hard Drives
1TB SSD internal, 2x4TB SSD external
Keyboard
Logitech illuminated and silent thing
Mouse
Traditional MS Intellimouse
Internet Speed
256Mb down/50Mb up
Browser
Chrome mostly, Edge for PDF's, Brave for YouTube
Antivirus
MalwareBytes/Defender
Other Info
Also an m4 Mac Mini for work dev stuff that I operate remotely via HelpWire.
I sent your thread and screenshot to the almight co-pilot and here is the response I got. SHE (I know AI is a she because she's so smart) said:

In short: the ghost icon is just a phantom thumbnail, not a real window. It’s harmless but annoying, and usually tied to a Windows Explorer/taskbar bug. You might just want to keep this “ghost thumbnail” in mind as a UI glitch rather than a deeper system fault. Restarting Explorer or the system usually clears it, and if it reappears, it’s more likely tied to Windows’ taskbar preview handling than anything you’ve misconfigured.

If it persists, try a clean boot to rule out conflicts.

Hey, SHE agrees with me. I told you she was a she!
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    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
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
I have a reasonable suspicion that it may be a glitch that has to do with either Snap Grouping, or, Share from Taskbar...,
I can't figure out the cause though..., right clicking the blank one will dismiss it...

0008188.webp
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
Edwin said:
I have a reasonable suspicion that it may be a glitch that has to do with either Snap Grouping, or, Share from Taskbar...,
I can't figure out the cause though..., right clicking the blank one will dismiss it...

View attachment 154014
Click to expand...

Right click does dismiss it, thanks. I'll probably cease my investigation just knowing that. Weird that clicking on its X button doesn't do what a right click does but there ya go. I don't have that Snap Grouping thing enabled and have never shared from taskbar (or enabled it, but the way Microsoft introduces things that are enabled by default I wouldn't be surprised if it is switched on).
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11 Pro 25H2Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX32GBNVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Laptop GPU
OS
Win11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G6 IAX
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
Memory
32GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Laptop GPU
Monitor(s) Displays
3 external monitors, Samsung 43" super widescreen (providing 2x 1080p via separate inputs), 1x LG 27" 1080p
Screen Resolution
2560x1600 and 3x 1920x1080
Hard Drives
1TB SSD internal, 2x4TB SSD external
Keyboard
Logitech illuminated and silent thing
Mouse
Traditional MS Intellimouse
Internet Speed
256Mb down/50Mb up
Browser
Chrome mostly, Edge for PDF's, Brave for YouTube
Antivirus
MalwareBytes/Defender
Other Info
Also an m4 Mac Mini for work dev stuff that I operate remotely via HelpWire.
Use Window Detective to find ghost windows and determine what process creates them.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
It may also be, (and most likely is...), the standard hidden Explorer element: Windows Input Experience Host...
... but, why it now shows as a Taskbar Thumbnail Preview, I haven't a clue!

0008192.webp
 
Last edited:

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
It always feels good to know others are seeing the same aberrations.

I've recently migrated to 11 on all my platforms rather than suffer that drip drip drip of Windows 10 extensions and this is one of the surprises I'd been curious about.

I like this 'right click' solution, otherwise it would either be ignore the eyesore, or run my 'reboot' the explorer.exe process and flush the image cache bat file.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 64bit 25H2 26200.7462Intel Core i5-3450 CPU@ 3.10GHz8.00 GBNvidia GeForce GT 640
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 64bit 25H2 26200.7462
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8500
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3450 CPU@ 3.10GHz
    Memory
    8.00 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GT 640

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Home 64bit 25H2 26200.7462Intel Core i5-6200U CPU@ 2.40GHz8.00GBIntel(R) HD Graphics 520
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Home 64bit 25H2 26200.7462
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 5559
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-6200U CPU@ 2.40GHz
    Memory
    8.00GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel(R) HD Graphics 520
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