Mouse clicks stop working on Windows desktop and taskbar until I launch CMD as administrator

Berkan Atilgan 0 Reputation points
2026-11-06T17:23:32.3133333+00:00

After restarting Windows, I experience an unusual mouse input issue. I can switch between open windows using Alt + Tab, but clicking anywhere inside a window causes it to lose focus. The taskbar also becomes unresponsive to mouse clicks, and hover effects sometimes do not appear at all. Interestingly, desktop icons may still respond to hover, but clicking them does nothing. Restarting Windows Explorer does not fix the issue, and restarting the PC does not resolve it either. However, if I launch Command Prompt as administrator through the Start menu and approve the UAC prompt, mouse functionality immediately returns to normal. Even after closing Command Prompt, everything continues to work properly until the next restart. I have also tried restoring Windows to a previous restore point, but the issue eventually returns.

System Information

OS: Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview

Display Version: 25H2

OS Build: 26200

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5500

GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6600

Architecture: 64-bit

Note: PowerShell and the Windows Registry incorrectly report the ProductName as "Windows 10 Pro", despite the system running Windows 11 Insider Preview.

Windows Insider program | Windows Insider preview | Input, touch and mouse
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  1. Emma1-N 14,905 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-11-06T23:34:02.96+00:00

    Welcome Berkan Atilgan,

    Thanks for the detailed description. When the UAC prompt opens, Windows briefly switches to the secure desktop, which resets which window receives mouse and keyboard input.

    To narrow it down, could you answer these questions?

    • Which Insider channel are you in? You can check in "Settings" > "Windows Update" > "Windows Insider Program".
    • Is any mouse, keyboard, RGB, macro, overlay or tuning software installed? Examples include Logitech G HUB, Razer Synapse, AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition overlay, MSI Afterburner, Discord or Steam overlays, and AutoHotkey.
    • When the issue happens, does pressing "Ctrl + Alt + Del" and then "Cancel" also fix it, without opening Command Prompt?

    In the meantime, please try these steps:

    Step 1: Quick test with the secure screen After the next restart, when the mouse stops working, press "Ctrl + Alt + Del" and choose "Cancel". If clicks work again, this confirms an input-focus problem rather than a hardware fault.

    Step 2: Perform a clean boot

    1. Press "Windows + R", type "msconfig" and press "Enter".
    2. On the "Services" tab, select "Hide all Microsoft services" and then "Disable all".
    3. On the "Startup" tab, select "Open Task Manager" and disable every startup app.
    4. Restart your PC and check whether the mouse works normally.

    Step 3: Repair system files

    1. Open "Command Prompt" as administrator.
    2. Run these commands one at a time and let each one finish:
      • DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
      • sfc /scannow
    3. Restart your PC.

    Looking forward to your update,

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