Solved Taskbar stops working

New Windows 8.1 laptop, one week old, no malware of any kind, working perfectly fine until just a few minutes ago.

I have the taskbar customized with shortcuts that I use all the time. Suddenly, clicking one of them does nothing. Whether it's a browser or Notepad or whatever, it simply does not open. There is only the little circle that shows the computer us working on it.
At the same time, all desktop icons also stop working.
I cannot open ANYTHING from the taskbar, not even the start menu.
Ctrl+alt+del also does not work, so I can't get into Task Manager.

Everything else keeps working with no problems. The mouse works, and if there is already a browser open I can still surf the Web and everything. I just can't use the taskbar, desktop and Task Manager.

Oh, and the taskbar eventually turns from transparent to solid colour.

My only recourse is to do a hard shut down by holding the power button until the laptop shuts off.

In 15 years of computing, I've never seen anything like this. Any ideas?

Solved. It was my security suite (Outpost). Apparently it doesn't play well with Windows 8.1. I had to uninstall it, everything's okay now.

Make sure you replace Outpost ASAP. I use W8's integrated Windows Defender (not the same as Microsoft's other Windows Defender, Windows Firewall and occasional supplemental scanning with Malwarebytes Antimalware (MBAM) just to make sure I, or WD did not let something slip by. Of course, as the weakest security link (me, the user) I ensure Windows is kept updated, I stay away from sites that condone illegal activities (illegal pornography, gambling, or filesharing sites) and I don't click on unsolicited links, downloads, or attachments.

Oh I definitely keep a clean machine, and stay away from anything that would dirty it. I've used Outpost since 2001, and never had a problem with it at all; and it's VERY capable of keeping the nasties out. But it seems their latest version has issues with Windows 8.1. So yes, I've activated Windows' native security features for now. MBAM sounds like a good idea as well. Thanks.

I purchased mbam and have it running all the time ,it goes good with windows defender for me

caperjack said:

I purchased mbam and have it running all the time ,it goes good with windows defender for me

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Yeah, MBAM Premium is one program that has a great reputation for playing well with other anti-malware solutions without creating conflicts, or consuming excess resources.

Hey caperjack, you seem to be a fellow Cape Bretoner!

cbiweb said:

Hey caperjack, you seem to be a fellow Cape Bretoner!

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yup,live on the northside of Sydney harbour

I'm in New Waterford. But don't hold that against me, lol.

cbiweb said:

I'm in New Waterford. But don't hold that against me, lol.

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not a chance . I went to Vocational school in the late 60's early 70,s with some nice guys from there and my wife took her CNA course there about 32 yrs ago .