Windows 10 glitch

googler

I bought a used Windows 10 machine a while ago, and noted that it seemed to have what I would call a glitch. Every so often, for maybe a fraction of a second, a window opens, stays on screen just long enough NOT to see what its title is, and disappears. 

At first, this didn't really concern me, and life went on. 

Recently, I've been moving, copying and renaming a lot of music files using File Explorer, and it's now become a nuisance.

For many of the files and folders, I'm renaming them by deleting character strings within the filename, so - F2 to rename, and hold down Delete key to remove a string of text. However, when the glitch coincides with actions like this, it firstly takes the focus away from the current action, my deletion, closes the Rename dialogue on the individual file or folder, and, since I'm still holding the Delete key down, deletes the file or folder, sending it to the Recycle Bin. I can manage this, but it's an annoyance. 

Any suggestions for tracking down what it's doing, and what's actually opening up the unwanted window, then closing it as fast as it appeared? 

I've looked in event logs, but there's nothing readily apparent which corresponds to the time at which it happens. 

googler

I've considered simply reinstalling the OS, but before I do that, would like to see if I can track it down

victor2

googler said:

I bought a used Windows 10 machine a while ago, and noted that it seemed to have what I would call a glitch. Every so often, for maybe a fraction of a second, a window opens, stays on screen just long enough NOT to see what its title is, and disappears. 

At first, this didn't really concern me, and life went on. 

Recently, I've been moving, copying and renaming a lot of music files using File Explorer, and it's now become a nuisance.

For many of the files and folders, I'm renaming them by deleting character strings within the filename, so - F2 to rename, and hold down Delete key to remove a string of text. However, when the glitch coincides with actions like this, it firstly takes the focus away from the current action, my deletion, closes the Rename dialogue on the individual file or folder, and, since I'm still holding the Delete key down, deletes the file or folder, sending it to the Recycle Bin. I can manage this, but it's an annoyance. 

Any suggestions for tracking down what it's doing, and what's actually opening up the unwanted window, then closing it as fast as it appeared? 

I've looked in event logs, but there's nothing readily apparent which corresponds to the time at which it happens. 

It's not anything to do with Keyboard repeats and Ease of Access is it?

Settings, Ease of Access, Keyboard, then scroll down to Use Filter Keys. I have it switched off, but there are quite a few settings under it if it is switched on.

googler

victor2 said:

It's not anything to do with Keyboard repeats and Ease of Access is it?

I don't think so. I can see the glitch without hands on keyboard. And all options are off under Keyboard there.

shiraz99

When does it happen?

My guess it'll probably be some command prompt window popping up when a background batch file is executed.

[Deleted User]

Is it this?

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/officeinsider/forum/all/officebackgroundtaskhandlerregistration-flashes-a/2600497e-78e4-41a1-9040-461cd2c3ea13

Either way, 

1. Run a full AV scan
2. Check Windows / Office all update
3. Check the Task Scheduler to see what is scheduled to run

googler

shiraz99 said:

When does it happen?

My guess it'll probably be some command prompt window popping up when a background batch file is executed.

It appears to be at random. 

googler

[Deleted User] said:

Is it this?

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/officeinsider/forum/all/officebackgroundtaskhandlerregistration-flashes-a/2600497e-78e4-41a1-9040-461cd2c3ea13

Either way, 

1. Run a full AV scan
2. Check Windows / Office all update
3. Check the Task Scheduler to see what is scheduled to run

Followed a few of the replies there to see if I could disable it, and there's no sign of it running at all on this machine.

J_B

Have you done a full Malwarebytes scan?

googler

J_B said:

Have you done a full Malwarebytes scan?

Not yet. The machine is totally offline, and is used only for music storage and replay. 

I'll have to faff around to get it connected to download AV stuff.

Jenni_D

First thing I would have done with a 2nd hand machine would be to wipe it and reinstall Windows to minimise the risk of preinstalled nasties.