Windows 10 users are experiencing a critical bug that caused the desktop or taskbar to disappear. The issue is known and Microsoft is rolling out a fix. What do I need to know about this problematic situation?
For a few weeks now, Windows 10 users have been victims of an operating system failure. In November Microsoft confirmed that this was indeed a bug.
In most cases, a simple restart allows you to find your desktop and the taskbar. Unfortunately the operation is not a workaround. Why ? It does not offer a solution while waiting for the fix. The bug can reappear at any time. The PC therefore remains difficult to operate with instability for gaming, office automation or productivity.
Microsoft explained
You may encounter an error in which the desktop or taskbar may disappear momentarily, or your device may stop responding. (…) you can alleviate this problem by restarting your Windows device.
The bug only affects Windows 10 so it concerns
- Windows 10 22H2,
- Windows 10 21H2,
- Windows 10 21H1,
- Windows 10 20H2.
The good news is that Redmond still managed to find a solution. In addition, it does not ask to download a new update. The problem was solved using a system Known Isweat Rolback aka KIR. This approach gives Microsoft the means to correct certain failures without requiring action on the user side.
Microsoft clarifies that KIR is not applied immediately on all devices. Some latency is required. This may take up to 24 hours. Knowing that the patch was applied in mid-November, it should now be present on all the PCs concerned.
The firm adds
This issue is resolved using Known Issue Rollback (KIR). Please note that resolution may take up to 24 hours to automatically propagate to consumer devices and unmanaged business devices. Restarting your Windows device may help the resolution apply faster. For corporate-managed devices that have installed an affected update and experienced this issue can fix it by installing and configuring a special Group Policy. Special Group Policy can be found in Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates ->
Although Windows 11 is at the ONE of the Microsoft Windows 10 catalog is still relevant. Its importance is in our eyes much more important because it is the only destination for PCs not eligible for Windows 11.
The latter now represent the bulk of the market. In 2021, when Windows 11 was released, Microsoft gave rise to a controversy related to system requirements. The new Windows was accompanied by specific needs such as the presence of TPM 2.0 making obsolete hundreds of millions of configurations yet having the power to run it. The constraints imposed go so far as to prohibit the use of certain processors that are only a few years old.
Support for Windows 10 is provided until October 2025. After this date, this environment will no longer be relevant. Its maintenance will be stopped and the transition to Windows 11 will require the purchase of new devices.