Taskbar Flyout Issues

Allan Burek 0 Reputation points
2026-09-18T13:05:37.58+00:00

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Having recent issues with the taskbar flyouts. Widgets no longer populate, and the search bar results are degraded. I am thinking these may be related but not sure. What has been done so far:

sfc /scannow and related DISMs

uninstalled/reinstalled web experience pack

repair install of Win11 PRO

All with no help. Found that Widgets.exe is not running as a task, but widgetboard is. Thanks in advance for any help.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Desktop, Start, and personalization | Task Bar
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AI answer

2026-09-18T13:06:10.5633333+00:00

Since sfc, DISM, Web Experience Pack reinstall, and a repair install have already been tried, the most relevant next steps from the available guidance are:

  1. Restart the Widgets process manually.
    • Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
    • Look for Widgets.exe or Windows Widgets.
    • If present, End task.
    • Press Windows + W to relaunch Widgets.
  2. Reinstall Windows Web Experience Pack again using winget.
    • Open Windows Terminal (Admin).
    • Run: 
           winget uninstall "Windows web experience pack"
    • Then run: 
           winget install 9MSSGKG348SP
    • Restart the PC.
  3. Verify Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime is installed.
    • Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
    • Search for Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime.
    • If it is missing, install it.
  4. Check whether Widgets is enabled on the taskbar.
    • Right-click the taskbar > Taskbar settings.
    • Confirm Widgets is turned On.
  5. Update Store apps.
    • Open Microsoft Store.
    • Go to Library or Downloads.
    • Select Get updates.
    • Install all available updates, then restart.
  6. If Widgets still opens only as an outline or does not populate, use the Windows repair path from Settings > System > Recovery and choose Reinstall now under Fix problems using Windows Update, then check Windows Update again and install all available updates.
  7. If the issue started after a recent Insider build or taskbar change, note that Microsoft has documented taskbar and search fixes in newer preview builds, including fixes for taskbar visual issues, search box behavior, and some taskbar-related problems. Installing the latest available build/update may help if the device is on an Insider channel.

For the degraded Search flyout specifically, the available guidance points to system repair and app re-registration when DISM and SFC do not help. Because a repair install has already been done, the remaining supported path is to make sure all Windows Update and Microsoft Store updates are fully installed.

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  1. Allan Burek 0 Reputation points
    2026-09-20T13:13:42.47+00:00

    https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2026/07/13/improving-windows-search-box-with-less-clutter-and-more-control/

    Apparently this is a new feature. Closing for visibility, thanks for all the suggestions.

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  2. Allan Burek 0 Reputation points
    2026-09-20T12:28:54.3866667+00:00
    1. Windows version is Win11 25H2 (26200.9457). Created another account and the widgets worked as expected in the test account, search still remains affected.

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  3. Clary-N 16,020 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-09-19T02:44:59.56+00:00

    Hi Allan Burek,

    Thanks for the details. Before that, could you press Win + R, type winver and let me know the Windows 11 version and OS build shown?

    Since you’ve already tried the main repair steps, I’d avoid repeating those and try these two checks next to help narrow down what’s happening.

    First, restart Windows Search:

    • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
    • Go to Details, find SearchHost.exe right-click it, and select End task.
    • Open Search again and check whether the results improve.

    If the issue continues, test with a new Windows user account:

    • Open Settings > Accounts > Other users.
    • Next to Add other user, select Add account.
    • Select "I don’t have this person’s sign-in information", then "Add a user without a Microsoft account".
    • Create a temporary test account, sign out of your current account, and sign in to the new one.
    • Test both Win + W and taskbar Search again.

    If Widgets and Search work normally in the new account, that would help narrow this down to the original user profile. If the same symptoms appear there too, it suggests the issue is affecting Windows more broadly.

    Let me know how Widgets and Search behave separately in the test account, I’ll be happy to help narrow down the next step from there.

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