# Taskbar problem with Windows XP after Service Pack 3
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taskbar-problem-with-windows-xp-after-service-pack-3/449076
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 12, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taskbar-problem-with-windows-xp-after-service-pack-3/449076 "2008-05-12T20:33:18Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taskbar-problem-with-windows-xp-after-service-pack-3/449076/1 "2008-05-12T20:33:18Z")
So our work computers were updated this morning with Service Pack 3 and I’m having a strange problem I can’t find addressed anywhere.
I can’t switch between programs using the taskbar. Let’s say I have Outlook and Firefox open, and Outlook is active. Normally if I click on the Firefox button on the taskbar, it will switch to Firefox. But today, when I click the Firefox button, it indents and flashes black (the way it would if Firefox was “not responding” when I tried to switch to it) and Outlook remains open, but inactive. When I click the Outlook button again, it also begins flashing (so both buttons are flashing, and Outlook is open, but neither is active).
I can switch between them using Alt+Tab - this is the only way I can reactivate any windows after I’ve clicked on one of the taskbar buttons - and can probably survive that way as long as necessary. But it’s still really annoying.
Also, if I right-click on a taskbar button, it flashes and no menu comes up.
Any ideas?
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### Author:  [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2008, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taskbar-problem-with-windows-xp-after-service-pack-3/449076/2 "2008-05-12T20:44:13Z")
Odd. I installed SP3 last night and after a reboot it was fine. Remote connection to the computer at work is without problem. (After we turned it on, of course.) I had to reboot before it would work right though.
(I’m using XP in a virtual machine under Fusion on a Mac, but that shouldn’t make a difference. Fusion and the Apple hardware drivers have apparently been updated for SP3.)
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### Author:  [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taskbar-problem-with-windows-xp-after-service-pack-3/449076/3 "2008-05-12T20:51:50Z")
I’m the only person in my office (we all got the update) experiencing this problem, and I haven’t seen anything in any support forums either.
I have a strange computer. It appears to be haunted, and often provides unique challenges for the tech guys. I thought I’d give you guys a shot before I call in the hired guns.
It’s nice to feel special and all, but it does get a bit frustrating.
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### Author:  [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2008, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taskbar-problem-with-windows-xp-after-service-pack-3/449076/4 "2008-05-12T21:28:01Z")
There’s a Pit thread about it, I think.