Hang when logging in via Windows Remote Desktop to a machine with PowerToys installed

[andrewkoenig]

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.87.0.0

Installation method

PowerToys auto-update

Running as admin

No

Area(s) with issue?

General

Steps to reproduce

Log in via Remote Desktop and try to do just about anything

✔️ Expected Behavior

No response

❌ Actual Behavior

Version: 0.87.0.0
OS Version: Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.26100.0
IntPtr Length: 8
x64: True
Date: 12/18/2024 1:31:25 PM
Exception:
System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException: Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation.
---> System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0xD0000701): 0xD0000701
at Standard.NativeMethods.DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea(IntPtr hwnd, MARGINS& pMarInset)
at System.Windows.Appearance.WindowBackdropManager.UpdateGlassFrame(IntPtr hwnd, WindowBackdropType backdropType)
at System.Windows.Appearance.WindowBackdropManager.ApplyBackdrop(IntPtr hwnd, WindowBackdropType backdropType)
at System.Windows.Appearance.WindowBackdropManager.SetBackdrop(Window window, WindowBackdropType backdropType)
at System.Windows.ThemeManager.ApplyStyleOnWindow(Window window, Boolean useLightColors)
at System.Windows.ThemeManager.ApplyFluentOnWindow(Window window)
at System.Windows.ThemeManager.OnWindowThemeChanged(Window window, ThemeMode oldThemeMode, ThemeMode newThemeMode)
at System.Windows.ThemeManager.SyncWindowThemeMode(Window window)
at System.Windows.TreeWalkHelper.InvalidateOnResourcesChange(FrameworkElement fe, FrameworkContentElement fce, ResourcesChangeInfo info)
at System.Windows.ResourceDictionary.NotifyOwners(ResourcesChangeInfo info)
at System.Windows.ResourceDictionary.OnMergedDictionariesChanged(Object sender, NotifyCollectionChangedEventArgs e)
at System.Collections.ObjectModel.ObservableCollection1.OnCollectionChanged(NotifyCollectionChangedEventArgs e) at PowerLauncher.Helper.ThemeManager.SetSystemTheme(Theme theme) at PowerLauncher.Helper.ThemeManager.<>c__DisplayClass12_0.<UpdateTheme>b__0() at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.Invoke(Action callback, DispatcherPriority priority, CancellationToken cancellationToken, TimeSpan timeout) at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.Invoke(Action callback) at PowerLauncher.Helper.ThemeManager.UpdateTheme() at PowerLauncher.Helper.ThemeManager.OnUserPreferenceChanged(Object sender, UserPreferenceChangedEventArgs e) at InvokeStub_UserPreferenceChangedEventHandler.Invoke(Object, Span1)
at System.Reflection.MethodBaseInvoker.InvokeWithFewArgs(Object obj, BindingFlags invokeAttr, Binder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture)
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at System.Reflection.MethodBaseInvoker.InvokeWithFewArgs(Object obj, BindingFlags invokeAttr, Binder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture)
at System.Reflection.RuntimeMethodInfo.Invoke(Object obj, BindingFlags invokeAttr, Binder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture)
at System.Delegate.DynamicInvokeImpl(Object[] args)
at Microsoft.Win32.SystemEvents.SystemEventInvokeInfo.InvokeCallback(Object arg)
at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs)
at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.TryCatchWhen(Object source, Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs, Delegate catchHandler)

Other Software

Remote Desktop

[mantaionut]

@andrewkoenig I was trying to reproduce by connecting from my Windows 11 laptop to my Windows 11 PC and had no issues.
Does this happen 100% or just randomly? What OS does the 2 machines have?

[andrewkoenig]

They’re both running Windows 11, latest version. It is possible that the problem is triggered by launching Ableton Live on the remote machine. The symptom is that keyboard and mouse actions are no longer sent to the remote; but if I go to the remote machine physically, it keeps working fine. Typically, when that happens, the window appears with the messages that I reported. The reason I suspect PowerToys is that it started soon after a recent update (sorry, don’t remember which one). I can try some more experiments if you like.

[andrewkoenig]

I am trying to reproduce the problem and so far have been unable to do so. So it is possible that a recent update has fixed it. However, I’m going to keep trying, and will send you another message with more details if I can figure out how to reproduce it reliably.

[andrewkoenig]

I have succeeded in reproducing the problem. 1. Boot the remote computer. 2. Log into it remotely. 3. Launch the program “Native Access,” which is something that authorizes software purchased from Native Instruments, and can be downloaded here <https://www.native-instruments.com/en/specials/native-access-2/> . 4. Once Native Access has started, minimize the Windows Remote window. 5. Wait a while. 6. Maximize the Windows Remote window. The Windows Remote window is now unresponsive. If, however, I log into the remote machine physically, I see that there is a pop-up on the screen that directs me to a log file, which I have attached. Looking at the log file, I see that the problem may be related to the iCloud Windows app, which I am indeed using on this machine, and which is very widely used. I do not know whether this means that Native Access is a mirage, but I will continue to experiment. Hope this helps. Regards, Andrew Koenig