Windows 10: I cannot restart because of Task Host Window.

Hello I have just updated my Nvidia Graphics Game Ready Driver to version: 566.36 released: Thu 5 Dec, 2024it was released yesterday and I updated the next day on 6 of December. After the installation I like to restart the laptop to make sure everything is fully installed but I can't restart because there is an app that's keeping the pc on "Task Host Window Task Host is stopping background tasks. \Microsoft\Windows \DeviceDirectoryClient RegisterUserDevice". I am on Windows 11 Pro version 24H2 installed on 4 Dec 2024.I have looked at the other posts here having the same problem but the pos

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No restart button in task manager

another easy way to kill tasks, download and install Winaero Tweaker(free) and theres a setting to add a Kill non responding tasks using the desktop right click menu. When you place your cursor on the desktop anywhere and right click the option is at the top of the list, Very handy and you dont have to go through all those steps and well Winaero Tweaker has alot of cool Windows tweaks. Just posting a different suggestion, Im sure your ok with what was suggested here.

 

W10 Task Host error on restart

I just formatted W10, and Windows Update says there are no updates. Everything's gone well except for this reoccurring Task Host Window error that locks my start button and keeps me from accessing any files or folders. The only workaround has been to sign out, then sign back in. Upon signing out I get an error that says Task Host is stopping background tasks. Microsoft\Windows\Plug & Play\Device Install Reboot Required. I then click the option to sign out anyway, and then the problem goes away until next restart.

I've Googled this and many have had this happen. So far I've tried two of the things that some have tried to fix it. One was disabling fast startup in Power Settings, didn't work. The other was editing the WaitToKillServiceTimeout in the registry from 5000 to 2000, didn't work. Surprisingly though I read the default for that is supposed to be 12000, but it was set to 5000. So I'm wondering if a MS update changed it's value to try to solve the problem.

There are a lot of other methods people have tried, but I really don't want to experiment much further. I've yet to see an official MS Support fix for this. I've checked System Information and found that taskhostw.exe is a running task and located in Windows\System32. I also see no flags in Device Manager for drivers or devices not installed, so I don't know what this error message means by "Device Install Reboot Required".

Has anyone here had this problem? If so how if at all did you solve it? Many have said this started happening after a windows update. I have scanned for malware and viruses btw, and nothing was found.

 

"Task host is stopping background tasks" since 8/23 on restart

No, that won't help - that's the wrong one. You need this registry change: Auto End Tasks Turn On AutoEndTasks at Restart, Shut down, or Sign out of Windows 10 Note: This will not fix the problem, but it will allow Windows to shutdown and restart without having to click again.