Tabs on task bar do not open if there are multiple tabs.

Dear Sourav Majhi,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community!

To assist you better, could you please provide the specific version number of Windows that you are currently using?

The simplest and quickest way to find your Windows version is by using the winver command.

1. Press Windows + R: This will open the Run dialog.
2. Type winver: In the Run dialog box, type winver and press Enter.
3. Review the Information: A window will appear displaying detailed information about your Windows version, including the version number and build number. This information will help us tailor our troubleshooting steps more accurately.

In the meantime, please try the following steps to see if they resolve the issue with the taskbar tabs:

1. Restart File Explorer:
   • Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
   • In the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer.
   • Right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart.
   • This will refresh the File Explorer and might resolve the issue.
2. Perform a Clean Boot:
   • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type msconfig, and press Enter.
   • In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab and check the box for Hide all Microsoft services.
   • Click Disable all to turn off non-Microsoft services.
   • Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
   • Disable all startup items and restart your computer.
   • Check if the issue persists after a clean boot. Disclaimer: A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background service is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem. These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by step so that it will help you get back on track.
3. Restore the System via a System Restore Point:
   • Type Create a restore point in the search box and select it from the list.
   • In the System Properties window, go to the System Protection tab and click on System Restore.
   • Follow the prompts to choose a restore point from before the issue started.
   • Complete the system restore process and check if the problem is resolved.

Please try these steps and let us know if they help or if the issue persists. If the problem continues, providing the version number of Windows will allow us to offer more specific guidance.

Looking forward to your response!

Best Regards,

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Dear Sourav Majhi,

Thank you for your feedback.

I’m delighted to hear that the window issue was successfully resolved by modifying the registry. Your proactive approach and attention to detail truly make a difference.

I also appreciate your candid comment on my previous reply; your honesty is invaluable and helps us refine our solutions to be as accurate and effective as possible. Since the original issue has been resolved, could I kindly ask you to click "Yes" on my response that suggested the registry change? Doing so will help other users facing the same issue to quickly locate the solution, enhancing their experience as well.

Regarding the additional keyboard issue you mentioned, it appears that the problem might be at the hardware level, especially given that both the built-in keyboard and the on-screen keyboard are affected. If the external keyboard is also experiencing issues, this further suggests a hardware-related problem.

I recommend testing the issue in Safe Mode to determine whether it persists. Here’s how you can enter Safe Mode:

• Press Windows + I to open the Settings app
• Navigate to System > Recovery > Advanced Startup, select Restart now
• Upon reboot, select Troubleshoot> Advanced options> Startup Settings> Restart
• In the Startup Settings screen pick one of the available options (4/F4)

If the problem continues in Safe Mode, it’s likely a hardware issue, and I would advise contacting the hardware manufacturer directly for testing and potential repairs.

For laptops, it’s worth noting that testing with an external keyboard may yield the same results as the built-in keyboard, since the built-in keyboard remains connected internally. Ideally, disconnecting the built-in keyboard to test the external one would provide a clearer indication, but this can be challenging for the average user. In such cases, reaching out to the manufacturer is a prudent course of action.

However, if the issue is resolved in Safe Mode, we can explore further troubleshooting steps to address any system-level conflicts or software-related issues.

I look forward to hearing back from you and am here to assist with any further questions or concerns you may have.

Best Regards,

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Thanks for the reply Martin,

The taskbar problem seems to have resolved, it's working fine for now after following the adjust registry setting step.

However the issue with the keyboard persists. All the sticky, filter and toggle keys are turned off. And even by using an external keyboard the problem still remains.

What I have noticed is that the left shift is behaving as if it is always pressed. Although the key is not actually pressed. Even after using external keyboard or on-screen keyboard it is same. And the 'n', 'b', 'z' and space bar are also sometimes acting as shift. I have attached a picture of the on-screen keyboard for your reference.

Dear Sourav Majhi,

Thank you for getting back to us and providing additional details about your situation, including the keyboard issues and your Windows version. I appreciate your patience as we work to resolve your issues.

Given the information you've shared, let's try a few more steps. We'll start with repairing system files, adjusting some registry settings, and tweaking group policy settings. Here's a detailed walkthrough:

1. Perform a System File Check (SFC) and DISM Scan. These tools can help repair any corrupted system files that might be causing your issues:

• Search for CMD in the start menu, find 'Command Prompt' and select 'Run as administrator'.
• Enter the following commands one at a time, making sure to run the next command after the previous one has completed.

    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth 
  
    SFC /Scannow
  

• After the scan is complete, you can check the scan information to see if any problems were detected and fixed.

2. Adjust Registry Settings. Let's modify some registry settings related to the taskbar:

Disclaimer: Generally, modifying registry subkeys or work group is intended for advanced users, administrators, and IT Professionals. It can help fix some problems, however, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For further protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click How to back up and restore the registry in Windows - Microsoft Support to view the article.

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter.
• Navigate to: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Taskband
• Delete the NumThumbnails entry (this entry limits the number of thumbnail windows).
• Navigate to: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
• Find DisablePreviewDesktop, right-click, and change its value to 0.
• Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
• In the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer, right-click, and select Restart.

3. Use Local Group Policy Editor. Modify the Group Policy setting related to taskbar thumbnails:

• Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
• Navigate to:
• User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
• Double-click Turn off taskbar thumbnails.
• Select Disabled or Not Configured, then click Apply > OK.

4. Create a New User Account. Creating a new user account can help determine if the issue is profile-specific:

• Open Command Prompt as an Administrator (Win + X > Command Prompt (Admin)).
• Type the following commands to create a new user and grant it administrative privileges:

    net user /add username password
  
    net localgroup administrators username /add
  

• Replace username and password with your desired credentials.
• Log out from your current account and log in with the new account.
• Check if the taskbar and keyboard issues persist.

Since you mentioned sporadic keyboard issues (keys not working and sticky keys activating on their own):

• Check Keyboard Settings: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard. Ensure Sticky Keys, Toggle Keys, and Filter Keys are turned off.
• Test with an External Keyboard: If possible, connect an external keyboard to check if the issue persists. This can help determine if it's a hardware or software problem.

Please try these steps and let me know if they help resolve the issue. If you continue to experience problems, don't hesitate to reach out for further assistance. I'm here to support you. Best Regards,Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Thanks for the reply.
But sadly none of these worked. After trying the first method (restart file explorer) everything was fine for a day, after that again the problem returned. I tried the 2nd and 3rd methods after that but it didn't work.
Today I am noticing 2 new problems alongside the previous one. Some of my keyboard keys specifically spacebar, enter, n and shift are not working sometimes. I have to double or triple press them to work (not happening always, sometimes they work fine), also the sticky key keeps turning on (I am not pressing the shift 5 times), at times it turns on by itself when I am not even using the keyboard.

I am using Windows 11 Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.4112).
Further assistance will be appreciated.