We had a call from a customer today with a very peculiar problem – left click had stopped working on their Windows 10 machine but only on some areas of the operating system such as the start menu and task bar. The mouse was physically ok, the drivers were good and it worked in some applications within Windows.
Windows 10 App Re-Register
This can because by Windows 10 apps misbehaving so its worth running a Powershell command to re-register them all:
- Right click at Start button
- Select Command Prompt (Admin) (its important to run this as an admin)
- When the Command Prompt appears, type Powershell and press enter
- Wait until the Powershell prompt appears: PS C:\windows\system32>
- At the Powershell prompt paste the following command:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”} - Press Enter
You will now see the Powershell iterate through all of the Windows 10 packages and re-register them. There will be some warning messages in red which can be generally disregarded.
Scan the Windows 10 File System
Next we used the SFC.exe utility to scan the Windows 10 OS file system for problems:
- Right click at Start button
- Select Command Prompt (Admin) (its important to run this as an admin)
- When the Command Prompt appears, type the following command:
sfc /scannow - Press Enter
You will now get one of the following results from the test:
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations
This indicates that your system doesn’t have any missing or corrupted files – you need to look elsewhere for the problem.
Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation
This message means that there was a problem during the scan and an offline scan is required or you didn’t do it with raised privileges (as an admin)
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them. Details are included in the CBS.Log %WinDir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log
You will get this message when SFC was able to fix a problem – reboot to see if its the one you hoped!
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. Details are included in the CBS.Log %WinDir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log
If you get this, you need to move on to the manually repair SFC results step below.
Manually Repair SFC Results
Once you have performed a SFC /scannow operation and received a warning about corrupt files, you may need to try and fix them manually. Its worth noting here that many people had to run the SFC/ scannow command and reboot multiple times to get all the issues resolved so I would recommend that first.
If it doesn’t then the chances are that the local redundant copy of the files being repaired are also corrupt, try the following commands to repair them:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Then repeat the SFC steps above. If still no luck:
Locate and open the CBS.log (generally at c:\windows\logs\cbs\cbs.log)
Review the log entries and note down the specific files causing a problem. Source replacement files and overwrite the problem ones. Its impossible to give specific guidance here as depending on what the files are, different sources will need to be used!
If all else fails, I’m afraid a reinstall of Windows 10 is probably in order.
everytime I opened a file using the left click then it will load and wont open the open with or share button wont appeard but I tried it with a folder thrn it runs except the files or a picture. my laptop is azus and im using wodiws 10, help me tp fix it
How long does the powershell command take to run?
I got a red message which i ignored.
The latest (non red) message is: Deployment operation progress: C:\Windows\PrintDialog\AppManifest.xml Initialized.
But it’s been there for 15 minutes or so already. Is that normal? Should I wait for it to finish?
Thanks!
dennis
what was the outcome here? I’m receiving the same ‘Initialized’ message. Is this the norm?
Did you ever get an answer to this? Or what did you end up doing mine is hanging as well.
Thanks. I went through the steps you outlined and my left click option is working now. Really appreciate your help.
Powershell worked perfectly. left click working now. Did not even have to do the scan suggested following powershell.
This is great, everything works perfectly after running the powershell command. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if I had not found this, you saved me from a lot of frustration. Thank you so much!
After running the scannow command and getting the “found corrupt files response etc”. I tried each of the suggested commands under “Manual Repair SFC Results” namely
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
and regret to say got the same result each time – error 87. So still have the problem with the “perl” button.
The strange thing is that I have had this problem before and after a few weeks, everything reverts to normal without notice. So it seems there is an intermittent fault in the operating system. Seems I have to live with it.
A question to ask oneself; “Why would left click not work when Windows 10 cloud components are removed…”
Thanks for the comment RV! I’ll be honest when it comes to Windows 10 I have many questions! 🙂
there is no any error but still start button not working
I am not able to get passed the first step – Reregister Windows App. Any idea what this means?
Cannot run a document in the middle of a pipeline: C:\WINDOWS\system32\Get-AppXPackage.
At line:1 char:1
+ Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopm …
+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+ CategoryInfo : InvalidOperation: (C:\WINDOWS\system32\Get-AppXPackage:String) [], RuntimeException
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : CantActivateDocumentInPipeline
I got only errors with the first step, but 33% through scanning in step 2 my mouse is clicking again. Not sure how, but this seemed to fix it. Thank you.
Also, I could not run cmd as admin without the mouse working. I had to cmd:
powershell -Command “Start-Process cmd -Verb RunAs”
good man did the job, i can see where error comes from now, windows 10, what can i say as a software man i did like xp, Microsoft have made another windows me or vista hash up with10? or so it appears at times, i knew XP worked and how to make it work,but10 is a “-i wont say its impolite eh- “
This did not work for me. Test came clear – no errors! So I guess I have to look somewhere else.
I am not connected to cloud. I hope this is not the cause! Windows 10 sold itself on being more secure and more stable. I actually now think Windows 7 was better. I never had such problems!
Thanks A lot! I only filled in the commands and press enter, the first command solved my problem already. Thanks a lot again 🙂
there’s a message after step one asking for values to register something, please help
The second step showed no violation.
So there’s a space between Register and the ”
And it worked, thanks a lot
I TRIED ALL OF THOSE F**KING STEPS AND STILL NOT WORKING. WHO THE F**K MAKES WINDOWS 10????? A GROUP OF STUPID MONKEYS? WHY THE F**K I CAN’T HAVE A F**KING OS FREE OF ALL F**KING BITCHY STUPID BUGS, MOTHERF**KERS?????????’ I’M SUPER PISSED OFF AS YOU GUYS SEE!! WHY?’ WHY THE F**K CAN’T HAVE A F**KING NORMAL OS SYSTEM??? I WAS COMPLETLY FINE ON WINDOWS 7!!!!!!!!!! WINDOWS 7 WAS ALMSOT PERFECT!!! NOW I INSTALL THIS STUPID WINDOWS 10 AND THIS START HAPPENS!! UNUSABLE LEFT CLICK, NOT WORKING START BUTTON, TRIED EVERY SINGLE F**KING SOLUTION HERE, AND GUESS WHAT? 0!!! THE BUG KEEPS HERE, ALL THE F**KING SOLUTINOS ON THE INTERNET, NO F**KING RESULT!!! ALL THOSE F**KING TRIES WHRE A STUPID WASE OF TIME!!!! F**K!! F**K YOU WINDOWS 10, F**K YOU MICROSOFT, F**K YOU AND YOU F**KING MOTHER THAT F**CING BORNED YOU, F**KING BUG!!! F**K IT!!!! FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!!!!!! WHAT THE F**K DO I HAVE TO DO TO MAKE THE F**KING START BUTTON AND TASK BAR WORKING AGAIN? HUH? CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME? I’M SICK OF THIS PIECE OF JUNK BUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you updated to windows 10, use the following link to revert to windows 7
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=revert%20to%20windows%207%20fron%20windows%2010%20update&qs=n&form=QBVDMH&sp=-1&pq=revert%20to%20windows%207%20fron%20windows%2010%20update&sc=1-42&sk=&cvid=60A4829DF07D4A5F90778A2BC8C2C103
To be clear, this is only if you want to remove Windows 10 and return to Windows 7, not specifically to fix the click issue in Windows 10.
I will leave out the “F Bombs” as you covered them quite nicely, but I DO F***ING AGREE!!!
Here is my saga…
Howdy, and before I get singed for not searching and reviewing posts please know that I have. Over the past couple of months I have tried every PowerShell script / scannow and driver update that I could find, tried many suggested control panel settings, installed and ran MANY antivirus programs, replaced batteries, left batteries out for an evening, tried multiple wireless mouses, used different USB ports, and yes… even allowed a full MS software upgrade. Still same outcome.
So what has happened is I hadn’t used my Windows 10 personal laptop for a couple of months and decided to break it out to backup data on my cell. Plug wireless mouse #1 in and boot… no left mouse click at all. Being a hardware and software guy from back to the ’70’s I took it apart and cleaned the contacts and validated continuity. Functions fine. Oh yes, and this is a Logitech M-RAA93. Try it on another computer… works just fine.
So to continue with troubleshooting tried a Microsoft MSK-1056 with identical results. NOTE: And yes, MANY cold and warm reboots in-between.
On to plan ‘C’. A Keyspan RF Remote presentation device. It doesn’t work just like the other mouses.
Last ditch (with dread, but needed to troubleshoot), a wired mouse. Badabing… no problems other than I can’t use that for my presentations.
Conclusion is that M$ pushed some update that has affected how wireless mouses interface with Windows 10. I can draw no other conclusion.
I have been sharing this identical post everywhere I see fit and will continue until I (hopefully) find a solution. At that point I will share the finding.
Thank you for assistance in advance, Matt
P.S. All of the aforementioned wireless devices work on other systems. Looks like it might be time to take a second bite at the Apple [grins].
Hello dude,
Well it’ my first time replying to any comment on any website, but I had a lot of fun reading the bullshit you were saying.
First : Windows 10 isn’t free, this is the upgrade from windows7/8/8.1 to Windows10 that’s free.
Second : Windows 7 was surelly the worst OS ever made by Windows, the most laggy one, even Vista works better, on windows 7 I had to run it with XP visual, elseway it would bug everywhere on my desk.
Third : Windows 10 is maybe the best OS ever made at the moment in terms of performance and graphics so why would you be upset ? Oh, I see, you have a bug that is a result of a corrupted windows file. And you know what idiot ? Windows doesn’t corrupt itself, you’re the one downloading and installing bullshit on your computer, every damn file that you can find on the internet. These are the one that have corrupted your system.
So, I hope after 6 or 7 months you have been taking a deep breath and that your thing is now working. I came here for a friend and I fixed it with many sfc scan.
If it’s still not working for you, the last possibility you have is a factory reset, or come back to Windows 7, which is already dead because of no more update.
At the end, you only have to blame yourself, not Microsoft because you’re the one doing bullshit with your own computer.
See you.
“Second : Windows 7 was surelly the worst OS ever made by Windows, ”
I think we found planet Earth’s only Windows Millenium fan. Someone notify the science lab, we’re going to have to run tests on this one.
i like you dedication.
For educational purposes only.
There is an much easier way – just run your task manager (ctrl+alt+del – task manager) find explorer (Windows Explorer) click on it and hit del button or right click and end the process. After that your bottom bar should disappear. Hit ctrl+alt+del again in right bottom corner of the screen choose the power button and restart your computer this should fix it.
All Credit to Michal Roszkiewicz
This has worked perfectly…THANKS
this actually fixed it,only somethings werent working on left click and was going to try a recovery to see if that sorted it,but gave this a try,thaks
Bob, Many thanks! Your fix for the left click on start menu worked like a charm. Action center and all icons came back too. I just recovered for a catastrophe reg clean where my system, WIN10, would halt @ “Please wait for the Local Session Manager (blue screen), and never finish booting. The left click issue was residual after that one.
I am sick and tired because of this issue. The left click stop working anywhere other than desktop. I tried register on powershell. the first solution there. But after entering the command it start loop and ask for Register parameter if i give the “string$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”
again. it theows error that string can not be converted to some manager etc… for each app it keep on asking Register parameter value…
create a new user worked for me. Though you would have to transfer all your files to the new account
The easier way identified by “The Iron Maiden” worked after unsuccessfully trying the 1st 2.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. God bless you.
On my old Dell Studio 1558 and my Dell Latitude E6430, Bobs 1st way using ADMIN Powershell fixed the left click problem. But it did not work on my Samsung Notebook 270E. But the quick fix posted above by The Iron Maiden did work for my Samsung. I do not know, of course, if it would also have worked on my Dell laptop’s. I would suggest that The Iron Maiden’s quick fix suggestion be tried first followed by the longer and more technical fixes that Bob provides. GOOD WORK and thanks to both of you for solving this perplexing problem.
Does anyone have any idea why is this happening ? ..
as it happened for the second time around on my PC …. usually as a first thing in the morning after boot up !? … nothing was wrong with the “pervious day’s shutdown” 🙁
first time I was OK with CMD (Admin) first step .only ..
now after second time I had to also do the second step with scanning …
I guess for the 3rd time I will try the “easy solution from “The Iron Maiden” :
For educational purposes only.
There is an much easier way – just run your task manager (ctrl+alt+del – task manager) find explorer (Windows Explorer) click on it and hit del button or right click and end the process. After that your bottom bar should disappear. Hit ctrl+alt+del again in right bottom corner of the screen choose the power button and restart your computer this should fix it.
All Credit to Michal Roszkiewicz
I had this issue. Intermittently the left mouse button would not work, Dell Latitude laptop. Strangely, the track pad buttons would work, just not the external mouse button.
The Powershell tip worked like a charm.
Thanks!
For me it seems that the GeForce Experience overlay caused the issue which was very similar to this. I uninstalled GeForce Experience, and now everything is okay. If you have an NVidia card, and Experince installed, try to uninstall it first… 😉
Thank you so much! You fixed my problem with your first step!!!
You’re welcome William, thanks for the comment!
Thanks soo much
I have the same issue but after done the powershell the issue was fixed.
However after I press right click many times, the issue come back again.
Anyway to fix it??
This article was very helpful. After running the program connection process and getting better results, I did a full system check with no errors, but ultimately I ran the April 28th, 2018 update and that seemed to fix my left mouse click issue. At which point I made a full system back up and called it good.
Thanks. It worked by the first suggestion of PowerShell itself. It gave me so many errors (may be more than 60). Could not understand a single error. As mentioned, I ignored them, looks working.
My left button was sensitive to tapping but could not left “click” so could not do such things as select text.
I restarted “Windows Explorer” & now its working!! THANKS!!
I had a Trackpoint issue on my Dell Latitude e6510 where only the left button single click on the trackpoint would not function properly. I had resolved the issue through configuring the trackpad software and BIOS settings and everything was fine. Then something happened and it stopped working. So I tried reinstalling the drivers and that didn’t work. I then tried removing the trackpad and re-installing it and that failed. I looked online for a solution after a couple of frustrating hours and came across your post. Ran the SFC command and Powershell command and now have resolved the issue. Can’t THANK YOU enough!!!
2 thumbs up! That fixed my problem after weeks of searching for a solution.
I have the same issue with windows 7 Pro on a Dell Vostro laptop that Dell recommends should remain on Windows 7 :/ .
Is it ok to try these steps in Windows 7?
HAs it worked for anyone on W7?
This is a great website. Thank you!
THANKS BOB! Your clear instructions solved my problem of the left click not working on my mouse.
Thanks Bob, It took three try’s to type in your power shell command without any errors, but when I finally hit enter it was like magic. As the red warnings about this or that problem began to accumulate, I got a little nervous but I went ahead and ran the scan. Just like that the problems were fixed and my Start menu was back,
I jst used the first Powershell solution. It worked! The MS solution using FISM did not. Thanks Bob!
Hi Allen,
Glad it helped and really appreciate the PayPal donation – I’ll get myself a beer and toast you with it!
Thanks again, very decent of you!
Bob
Thankyou so much. Exactly that problem, left click not working on some buttons in the start menu.
Took me a while to work out that ‘command prompt’ is now called ‘Windows Powershell (admin) though.
Maybe you should update the instructions?
As a long-time Imac user, I find it mind-boggling how Windows has become the main global OS. Something needs fixing pretty much every 3 days or so.
My 11yr old imac has been faultless for the whole time I’ve had it, and the two I owned before that are still running fine too. Unfortunately, they can’d do everything though
If any other product was this unreliable, no-one would buy it.
Luckily there’s nice people like you who can guide us mere mortals through the quagmire.
Thankyou
Hi Jody,
Thanks for the comment! Just for clarity, “Command Prompt” is different to PowerShell, though the same commands for “Command Prompt” should work in PowerShell (which is a newer more powerful version). The old PC Vs. Mac discussion is as old as time itself and having used both for a long time (literally had one of each on my desk for a while), I’ve found both have flaws/limitations! The only thing I try to bear in mind with Windows problems is that Microsoft don’t make the hardware (millions of device types from tens of thousands of manufacturers) and so a lot of the issues are caused by problematic software drivers written by the hardware manufacturers (not Microsoft). Apple on the other hand make a (comparatively) small range of hardware and write the drivers for it. Obviously this don’t change the outcome when you’re encounter problems though! 🙂
” I find it mind-boggling how Windows has become the main global OS. Something needs fixing pretty much every 3 days or so.
My 11yr old imac has been faultless for the whole time I’ve had it, and the two I owned before that are still running fine too.”
That 11yo iMac is powered by the same hardware as an 11yo Windows laptop; Intel i3/i5/i7 mobile.
Just be thankful you’ve never had to repair an iMac! 🙂
Thanks Bob. The first Powershell Command Re-registering Apps worked for me.
In the past I’ve spent ages trying to fix this.This option saved me a lot of time.
In the past I’ve installed Windows Classic Shell to save having to Reset Windows. It worked well.
Cheers Mac.
Thanks for the comment Mac!