Windows 10 pro missing title bar and part of the top of window

I am also experiencing this issue on a Lenovo PC. 4th Generation Intel i3 Processor - Dual screen setup. GeForce 210 GPU. Windows 10 Pro x64 - Latest build.

This is the first report I could find explaining the exact same symptoms.

I have noticed the following:

• This is a rare but extremely frustrating issue.
• It can occur on the top or at the bottom of the window, but not limited to just those areas.
• The issue only occurs with maximised windows and does not seem to affect all apps.
• This problem can be evasive and has been occurring intermittently in the past. It comes and goes depending on what apps are open.
• Some have reported that Office Protected View could be a trigger, but disabling this only works in limited cases.

Troubleshooting Steps Performed: (Since April/May 2018)

• Update Windows
• Update all Affected Apps
• Clean Install new display drivers
• Clean boot
• SFC scan and DISM
• Check event viewer
• Run affected apps in compatibility mode
• Uninstall all OEM software
• Uninstall all non-essential apps
• Uninstall all graphics drivers
• Replace graphics card (AMD and NVIDIA)
• Remove graphics card altogether and run integrated GPU only
• Update BIOS
• Disable CPU Virtualization Features in BIOS
• Replace PC Tower - Latest W10 PRO x64 Clean Install on New PC
• Replace both Monitors with 2x New Identical Monitors - Both connected via digital outputs

Findings:

• None of my troubleshooting steps have yeilded any results. The issue always returns eventually.
• We seriously need some action from Microsoft regarding this issue.

Possible Cause:

Due to the scope of affected apps and the fact that only multiple display setups seem to be affected I suspect this may be a display driver/hardware/configuration compatibility issue/conflict probably related to a recent windows 10 update since build 1703/1803 causing display issues.

Temporary Workarounds:

• This is a quick and easy workaround: SHIFT + CTRL + WIN + B
  • This key sequence empties the video buffer and restarts the driver, and does the same for the keyboard, the mouse and the soundcard. It was meant for helping some users and techs with stuck graphic elements, black screens, stuck sleep modes, stuck mouse buttons and buzzing or looping sounds.
  • The issue will return eventually.
  • Limited success
• Changing the primary monitor or just slightly changing the layout of multiple monitors and clicking apply resolves the issue for an unknown amount of time.
  • Limited success
• When I use shift + right clickon the taskbar icon of the affected application and select 'restore window' the interface returns, but when I maximise again it the issue returns.
  • This is my personal choice. You can effectively work around the issue by avoiding the symptoms.
  • Any window showing the issue symptoms need to be restored as above and NOT MAXIMISED AGAIN.
  • Snapping Windows to the Left or Right side of a display and resizing them sideways is a quick way of using non-maximised during multi tasking workflows.
  • Success may be limited
• Some apps that support Full screen mode (Not to be confused with maximized mode) can be restored by hitting the F11 key to enable full screen and hitting F11 again to exit full screen. My interface then returns, however, some apps like Acrobat Reader DC does not respond to F11 because it has it's own full screen shortcut which will also work the same way.
  • This would be my second choice due to how quick you can tap F11 twice.
  • Once you re-open or move the window the symptoms could return (If in maxmised state)
  • Success may be limited

Possible Solution:

• There have been reports that the following third party hotfix fixed the issue. You may want to create a system restore point before trying this:
  • Link - Third Party Hotfix
  • Link - How to create a restore point
  • Limited success
• Changing to a single display setup may get rid of the symptoms completely. Very inconvenient, but may be viable if you can get by with one display and you have no viable/effective workarounds.
  • Not tested yet, but someone can confirm if this helps them.
• The only other effective way I can think of is going back to an earlier (Prior to 1703) build of Windows 10 or even going back to Windows 7/8

What can we do if we want a real solution?

• Please continue to contribute your findings. My research continues.****Any response about possible cause and solutions will be of great value to the community.
• We need to get Microsoft's attention as I believe their operating system is at fault. There is a thread in the feedback hub about this issue: https://aka.ms/AA3ry7p(PLEASE ADD UPVOTES - This may be the only way for MS to pay attention to it)
• Share and Upvotethe following threads: (They also contain more insight and other workarounds)
  • https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-terminal-server-2016-multi-monitor/aefbec87-0f5e-4f35-8296-b432d7d7f98b
  • https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-multi-monitor-maximized-window/3c2042ef-73df-401c-9a59-65b347d4dbea
  • https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/8imjva/windows_10_multi_monitor_maximized_window/
• **Make the issue public knowledge.**If you know someone that works for a tech news outlet ask them to do an article about the struggles people are having with this specific issue. The lack of meaningful response and follow-through from MS is absolutely unacceptable.
  • Also share on Microsoft's public channels: Facebook, Twitter Etc.

TAGS:

dual tripple multiple monitor multi monitor full screen maximize display top bottom toolbar interface menu tool bar toolbar title bar bottom bar status bar missing black white blank transparent maximize