Forum Discussion

Gordony's avatar
Gordony
Iron Contributor
Jan 23, 2026

The Windows 10 Task Manager only displays thumbnails and cannot be opened.

The Task Manager displays normally as a thumbnail (preview window) on the taskbar, but clicking it fails to open the full interface (the window cannot be enlarged, maximized, or interacted with normally), rendering the functionality unusable. Please provide a fix.

4 Replies

  • Andre1946's avatar
    Andre1946
    Copper Contributor
    Jan 27, 2026

    KB:5074109 installed on 14-1-2026 give a lot of problems.

    Windows freeze - Black screen with arrow - lost Lan and so on.

    Kb: 5078127 should fix the problems witch came with KB:7074109.

    I also had taskbar brolems : Task manager not opening - Google on opening - Icons Blank with no original icon from lets say Inntel driver update.

    I installed KB:5078127 on 25-1-2026  and wait if the problems are gone after these update. 

    It was not possible to remove the KB5074109 , with the removal procedures in Win update and with Powershell commands >it is a safety update

    Regards, Andre.

  • Anikaa's avatar
    Anikaa
    Brass Contributor
    Jan 27, 2026

    This is usually caused by a corrupted window position or display scaling issue.

    Quick fixes:

    1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
    2. Press Alt + Space → M, then use the arrow keys to move Task Manager back on screen
    3. Press Enter

    If that doesn’t work:

    • Restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager
    • Set Display scaling to 100% and sign out/in

    In most cases, Task Manager isn’t broken — it’s just opening off-screen.

  • Christopheo's avatar
    Christopheo
    Iron Contributor
    Jan 27, 2026

    Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

    Find Windows Explorer in the list.

    Right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart.

    Wait a moment for the desktop and taskbar to refresh.

    Try opening Task Manager again.

    • Andre1946's avatar
      Andre1946
      Copper Contributor
      Jan 27, 2026

      KB:5074109 installed 14-1-2026 give problems such as Freeze of Windows - Black screen with arrow - lost Lan and so on.

      KB:5078127 should fix the probles you got with KB:5074109 and installed on 25-1-2026 .

      I don't know of task bar not operational any more is still there after KB:5078127.

      I also had probles with the task bar: Google not opening - Task Manager not opening - icons blank and not with for exaple the Intel driver support Icon.

      I have to wait if the problems are dissappeard. 

       

      Regards, Andre