When I un-dock a tab in SQL Server Management Studio and later attempt to re-dock it, SSMS crashes. This happens every time, and I can reproduce the problem at will. All I have to do is un-dock a tab (let's say, in order to view two SQL queries in different tabs side-by-side) and then attempt to re-dock it, and SSMS will crash. Looking at the Event Viewer, I find two successive error messages each time the crash happens (see the pasted messages below). Please fix this! It's wreaking havoc on my usual workflow. Thanks. Message #1: Application: Ssms.exe Framework Version: v4.0.30319 Description: The process was terminated due to an unhandled exception. Exception Info: System.NullReferenceException at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.HasCustomChrome(System.Windows.Interop.HwndSource, RECT ByRef) at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.GetEffectiveClientRect(IntPtr) at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.PossiblyDeactivate(IntPtr, Boolean) at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.Dispose() at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.FilterMessage(IntPtr, MS.Internal.Interop.WindowMessage, IntPtr, IntPtr, Boolean ByRef)

Fix: Close all SSMS windows, and find your SQL Mgt Studio EXE file, mine was in: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18\Common7\IDE If you cant find it, right click your shortcut you use to open SSMS and go Properties > Open File Location Once you have found this, you will also find a file called "Ssms.exe.config, open up a Notepad in Administrator Mode, and edit this file You will then need to find an xml tag called <AppContextSwitchOverrides>, and APPEND (not replace) the following exactly: ;Switch.System.Windows.Interop.MouseInput.OptOutOfMoveToChromedWindowFix=true; Switch.System.Windows.Interop.MouseInput.DoNotOptOutOfMoveToChromedWindowFix=true And that is it. You will now avoid this nasty crash https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/february-9-2021-kb4601060-cumulative-update-for-net-framework-3-5-and-4-7-2-for-windows-10-version-1809-and-windows-server-version-2019-b240d07e-639f-d708-98c9-0cbe443176aa

thanks it fixes wwooh! I'm alive again

It is worth pointing out that this issue has been fixed in SSMS 18.9.1, which you can download here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/ssms/download-sql-server-management-studio-ssms . No need to fiddle with manifests anymore. So if Zoomy who started sees this thread sees this, it may help people if you accept this Answer in place of Vinnie's original post, which was a life-saver for many, including myself, until 18.9 came out.

From user SamZen, this worked for me. I added the line SamZen references to the bottom of the <runtime> list using Microsoft Studio Code. After I saved it prompted me to 'run as administrator', I did and it worked, no more crashing. I can live my life again. SamZen-5230 · Feb 22 2021 at 4:52 AM Thanks It worked. I changed the following file. C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\140\Tools\Binn\ManagementStudio\Ssms.exe with the following xml tag between the <runtime>. <runtime> <AppContextSwitchOverrides value="Switch.System.Windows.Interop.MouseInput.OptOutOfMoveToChromedWindowFix=true; Switch.System.Windows.Interop.MouseInput.DoNotOptOutOfMoveToChromedWindowFix=true" /> </runtime>

SSMS 18.8 crashes when re-docking tabs

Answer accepted by question author

Vinnie Amir 376 Reputation points

2021-02-15T21:58:59.813+00:00
Fix:

Close all SSMS windows, and find your SQL Mgt Studio EXE file, mine was in:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18\Common7\IDE

If you cant find it, right click your shortcut you use to open SSMS and go Properties > Open File Location

Once you have found this, you will also find a file called "Ssms.exe.config, open up a Notepad in Administrator Mode, and edit this file

You will then need to find an xml tag called <AppContextSwitchOverrides>, and APPEND (not replace) the following exactly:

;Switch.System.Windows.Interop.MouseInput.OptOutOfMoveToChromedWindowFix=true; Switch.System.Windows.Interop.MouseInput.DoNotOptOutOfMoveToChromedWindowFix=true

And that is it. You will now avoid this nasty crash

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/february-9-2021-kb4601060-cumulative-update-for-net-framework-3-5-and-4-7-2-for-windows-10-version-1809-and-windows-server-version-2019-b240d07e-639f-d708-98c9-0cbe443176aa
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57 people found this answer helpful.
Erland Sommarskog 128.9K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2021-02-15T22:22:09+00:00

Thanks a lot for posting these detailed instructions! But you should convert this to an answer, so that Zoomy can accept it, if he likes.

Zoomy 261 Reputation points

2021-02-15T23:11:36.19+00:00

Hi @Vinnie Amir , thanks a lot for the detailed instructions. I followed your instructions exactly and then retested, and the issue seems to be fixed. I was hesitant to try some of the other answers because they didn't specifically target SSMS even though they were apparently on the right general track. As @Erland Sommarskog said, if you would please convert this to an answer then I will accept it. Thank you very much for taking the time to reply.

Vinnie Amir 376 Reputation points

2021-02-16T02:19:40.237+00:00

Done, sorry, first time using this site, I did this in a rush. It is done, and I am glad I can save other the frustration.

Rrrr 11 Reputation points

2021-02-16T19:47:43.46+00:00

Thanks for this! I know VS2019 Professional was having this issue too, but they already patched it. I was surprised this hasn't been patched yet!

AlexanderK79 11 Reputation points

2021-02-18T06:51:22.337+00:00

Thank you so much! This prevents a lot of annoyance :-)

Alfredo Quimbayo 6 Reputation points

2021-02-18T19:39:47.997+00:00

Thanks a lot

Jake Warren 11 Reputation points

2021-02-22T06:03:46.057+00:00

Thanks, worked for me too.

In my case, this problem came about immediately after I modified the SSMS installation which added components from VS. I didn't realize how much I depend on re-docking SSMS windows until I had this problem.

Thanks again!

SamZen 36 Reputation points

2021-02-22T11:52:56.08+00:00

Thanks It worked. I changed the following file.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\140\Tools\Binn\ManagementStudio\Ssms.exe
with the following xml tag between the <runtime>.
<runtime>
<AppContextSwitchOverrides value="Switch.System.Windows.Interop.MouseInput.OptOutOfMoveToChromedWindowFix=true; Switch.System.Windows.Interop.MouseInput.DoNotOptOutOfMoveToChromedWindowFix=true" />
</runtime>

GregN 6 Reputation points

2021-02-24T18:45:03.95+00:00

worked great! thanks

Stephen Elmer 11 Reputation points

2021-03-04T15:19:56.003+00:00

thanks for this. my .config file did not even have this element, so i wasn't even sure where it should go. thank you!

Barbara 6 Reputation points

2021-03-08T15:38:37.17+00:00

Thank you so much, this worked for me!!!

Jason Maroney 6 Reputation points

2021-03-10T16:33:36.34+00:00

Thank you soooooo much VinnieAmir. I just recently got a new computer and experienced this issue for the first time. I have been using the latest version of SSMS and never had this issue until now. Was so angry about this because of the crashing and the fact I hated Object Explorer on the left side. You saved my new computer from being angrily destroyed.

Anderson 6 Reputation points

2021-03-24T11:57:36.907+00:00

Thanks a lot.
It worked perfectly here

Ian Sawyer 6 Reputation points

2021-03-29T13:25:44.363+00:00

This also fixed a similar issue I ran into. After a reboot my Object Explorer and Properties boxes opened outside the SSMS window. When I tried to redock either, SSMS crashed and restarted. This was also consistent and easily reproducible until I applied this fix.

Javier Gideon "Vince" M Reyes 6 Reputation points

2021-04-06T09:31:22.85+00:00

Vinnie Amir you rock. Thanks for the share. It worked.

grantfitz 6 Reputation points

2021-05-13T21:53:21.587+00:00

Thanks Vinnie. This has been bothering me for months. Every time I'd try to re-dock, I thought to myself, "maybe it'll work this time" and it never did. Updated the config file as you stated and had no issues.

Anonymous

2021-09-29T14:14:40.677+00:00

Saved my day. Thanks.
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SSMS 18.8 crashes when re-docking tabs

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