Unresponsive taskbar and empty desktop after startup

esdee

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After the OS boots up and I log in to my admin account, only the taskbar and empty desktop appear (attached picture). After I refresh the desktop, all of the icons appear, but everything remains unresponsive. For example, I can't minimize any windows (I can still open firefox, or file explorer though), non of the windows appear on taskbar, there are no startup processes running, the time on the taskbar is not visible, "back to desktop" in the taskbar doesn't work etc. Mouse and keyboard works, but some functions doesn't (scroll wheel)

I tried signing in to my secondary windows account and after 15 mins the startup processes suddenly loaded and it worked when I switched to my main account as well. But then, next time I turn on the PC the same thing happens again and I can't get it working on either profile anymore. I am not sure what I did, but I suspect it was just random, because I haven't done anything significant (starting bunch of programs, ending tasks, trying to restart explorer 50 times...)

What I tried:
- end and restart explorer.exe
- login to my secondary admin account, issue remains with slight variation
- try to end different processes via task manager
- windows 8 updates up to date

From what I read, this could be corrupted explorer.exe or just corrupted windows profile in general?

Anyone have any idea what could be causing this?

Thank you.
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8
Open Task Manager and under processes and click explorer then End Task. Then click the File tab and Run new Process. Type explorer or explorer.exe

If possible download and do a full scan with Malwarebytes (Free) and then do a full antivirus scan with your AV program.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
I downloaded Malwarebytes and did a scan. Everything seems to be in order.

However, I think I found the root of the issue. I casually went through the active processes in my task manager, then I noticed one of the tasks is hogging 13% of CPU power. This process was called "Store Broker". After a quick search, it was revealed to me that this has been a common problem for a while.

First thing I tried was to end "Store Broker" task and to my surprise, my desktop and taskbar loaded up instantly. I've done this repeatedly few times, to make sure this is where the problem lies. Other than hogging my CPU power, this process also caused my startup to be stuck in the loop. The fix for this seems fairly simple and very effective, here it is:

HOW TO FIX HIGH CPU USAGE BY STORE BROKER:

Open Task Manager (CTRL + Shift + ESC) >> Go to Processes tab and then kill Store and Store Brokersprocesses:

  1. Right-Click on Store process >> End Task;
  2. Right-Click on Store Brokers >> End Task;
Then you have to go to:
C:\Users\(Your User Account)\AppData\Local\Packages\WinStore_xxxxxxxxxxxxx\LocalState
xxxxxxxxxxxxx = a random string – it is different to another pc;


  1. Rename folder called Cache into CacheOld.
  2. Create an empty folder with name Cache
Why cause Store Broker (wshost.exe) high CPU usage? | How to Fix

I will have to see how this "fix" holds up in the long-term, but so far so good.

(Though I'll mention, that my long standing problem with a delay upon loading up startup apps (30sec) is still there, I guess thats for another thread)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8
Glad you got it sorted out, keep us advised if it holds. This information may help others.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
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