Having a problem the past 2 or 3 days when I go to either shutdown Windows or logoff my UserID in Windows 10.ย ย Says that “Task Host Window” is preventing shutdown and I can wait for it to finish or return to Windows.ย It went a whole night without finishing and shutting down, so something must be wrong.ย ย I can tell windows to shutdown without waiting for program to finish, but not sure if that causes more harm.ย ย A google search says I should try running something called Restoro to check for corrupt files, but can I trust that to fix my file system?ย ย Any suggestions on how to solve this problem?
![]() |
Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
SIGN IN | Not a member? | REGISTER | PLUS MEMBERSHIP |
-
Task Host Window Preventing Shutdown/Logoff
Home » Forums » AskWoody support » Windows » Windows 10 » Questions: Win10 » Task Host Window Preventing Shutdown/Logoff
- This topic has 10 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 6 months ago.
Viewing 8 reply threadsAuthorReplies-
CADesertRat
AskWoody Plus -
AJ
Guest
-
CADesertRat
AskWoody PlusAugust 19, 2022 at 7:34 pm #2471426Try this, use command prompt (run as Administrator) and run this command-
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
If that comes back clean, type in sfc /scannow and see if that fixes anything.
Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does ๐
All W10 Pro at 22H2,(2 Desktops, 1 Laptop).Rick Corbett
AskWoody MVPAugust 20, 2022 at 6:43 am #2471496A google search says I should try running something called Restoro to check for corrupt files, but can I trust that to fix my file system?
I suggest you read the following Restoro review article, especially the ‘CONS’, before considing using Restoro.
Hope this helps…
Drcard:))
AskWoody_MVPAugust 20, 2022 at 7:18 am #2471500Is Fast Startup enabled? Fast Startup has caused “hangs” in shutdowns.
Try this to test:
Create a new shortcut on the Desktop.
Make the location shutdown /s /t:30
Name the shortcut Shutdown.Clicking this shortcut will by pass making the Fast Startup file and gives open programs 30 seconds to shutdown before a forced shutdown occurs.
HTH, Dana:))
HTH, Dana:))
AJ
GuestAugust 20, 2022 at 8:13 am #2471504Thanks to all the people that gave me very quick replies to this problem. After persisting for 2 to 3 days with about 5 or 6 shutdown attempts, problem just disappeared on its own.ย I did not do anything specific.ย As far as I know, I do not have Fast Startup enabled, but will try the above recommendation for a shortcut if it happens again.
1 user thanked author for this post.
I’m not a Robot
GuestAugust 22, 2022 at 4:17 pm #2471971Do not worry, this “Task Host Window” hang is a Windows quirk and so far there has not been any damage caused by forcing it to quit, although the warning has persisted until Windows does it normal shutdown operation.
1 user thanked author for this post.
flyingdutchgirl
AskWoody PlusSeptember 11, 2022 at 9:59 am #2476935This just happened to me yesterday.ย After reading all the posts, especially the one from I’m not a Robot, I clicked the Shut Down Anyway button.ย Waited 5 minutes, started the computer with no problem.ย (I did a restart for good measure, but probably had no effect.)ย Shut down had no Task Host message.ย Started up this morning, no problem.
marklang
AskWoody PlusOctober 6, 2022 at 1:04 pm #2486038I just started having this same problem a couple of days ago.ย I usually have a few items that come up before shutdown, but they clear themselves if I wait a minute or so.ย The one Task Host Window does not clear after even 5 minutes.ย Forced shutdown does seem to work, with no consequences when I later reboot.ย However, I wish I could find a way around this.ย I hate to do the force shutdown.
By the way, most messages I found on the internet tie this back to aย Windows Update issue.ย However, I have not made any updates since Sept 9 when I installed the August updates.ย I also tried DISM and sfc, sfc reported it found no issues.ย I ran the Windows Update Troubleshooting yesterday.ย It said that it made a change, but I still had the issue when I shutdown last evening.ย I ran it again today, and it said it could not detect any problems.
marklang
AskWoody PlusOctober 25, 2022 at 4:13 pm #2491978This problem just disappeared for me a few days ago.ย ย I am not aware that I did anything specific to fix the problem.ย I did update Thunderbird, Firefox, and a Logitech driver.ย ย I also applied the September updates, but the problem had already disappeared before I did that.ย I guess I just chalk it up to the vagaries of Microsoft.
Viewing 8 reply threads -

Plus Membership
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments.
Get Plus!
Welcome to our unique respite from the madness.
It's easy to post questions about Windows 11, Windows 10, Win8.1, Win7, Surface, Office, or browse through our Forums. Post anonymously or register for greater privileges. Keep it civil, please: Decorous Lounge rules strictly enforced. Questions? Contact Customer Support.
Search Newsletters
Search Forums
View the Forum
Search for Topics
Recent Topics
-
CISA mutes own website, shifts routine cyber alerts to X, RSS, email
by
Nibbled To Death By Ducks
3 minutes ago -
Apple releases 18.5
by
Susan Bradley
22 minutes ago -
Fedora Linux 40 will go end of life for updates and support on 2025-05-13.
by
Alex5723
1 hour, 29 minutes ago -
How a new type of AI is helping police skirt facial recognition bans
by
Alex5723
2 hours, 7 minutes ago -
Windows 7 ISO /Windows 10 ISO
by
ECWS
9 hours, 3 minutes ago -
No HP software folders
by
fpefpe
9 hours, 48 minutes ago -
Which antivirus apps and VPNs are the most secure in 2025?
by
B. Livingston
2 hours ago -
Stay connected anywhere
by
Peter Deegan
15 hours, 10 minutes ago -
Copilot, under the table
by
Will Fastie
6 hours, 24 minutes ago -
The Windows experience
by
Will Fastie
21 hours, 25 minutes ago -
A tale of two operating systems
by
Susan Bradley
12 hours, 21 minutes ago -
Microsoft : Resolving Blue Screen errors in Windows
by
Alex5723
1 day, 2 hours ago -
Where’s the cache today?
by
Up2you2
1 day, 18 hours ago -
Ascension says recent data breach affects over 430,000 patients
by
Nibbled To Death By Ducks
1 day, 10 hours ago -
Nintendo Switch 2 has a remote killing switch
by
Alex5723
11 hours, 10 minutes ago -
Blocking Search (on task bar) from going to web
by
HenryW
1 day, 18 hours ago -
Windows 10: Microsoft 365 Apps will be supported up to Oct. 10 2028
by
Alex5723
2 days, 11 hours ago -
Add or Remove “Ask Copilot” Context Menu in Windows 11 and 10
by
Alex5723
2 days, 11 hours ago -
regarding april update and may update
by
heybengbeng
2 days, 12 hours ago -
MS Passkey
by
pmruzicka
1 day, 14 hours ago -
Can’t make Opera my default browser
by
bmeacham
2 days, 20 hours ago -
*Some settings are managed by your organization
by
rlowe44
2 days, 7 hours ago -
Formatting of “Forward”ed e-mails
by
Scott Mills
2 days, 19 hours ago -
SmartSwitch PC Updates will only be supported through the MS Store Going Forward
by
PL1
3 days, 15 hours ago -
CISA warns of hackers targeting critical oil infrastructure
by
Nibbled To Death By Ducks
4 days ago -
AI slop
by
Susan Bradley
1 day, 18 hours ago -
Chrome : Using AI with Enhanced Protection mode
by
Alex5723
4 days, 1 hour ago -
Two blank icons
by
CR2
1 day, 9 hours ago -
Documents, Pictures, Desktop on OneDrive in Windows 11
by
ThePhoenix
1 day, 11 hours ago -
End of 10
by
Alex5723
4 days, 13 hours ago
Recent blog posts
Key Links
Want to Advertise in the free newsletter? How about a gift subscription in honor of a birthday? Send an email to sb@askwoody.com to ask how.
Mastodon profile for DefConPatch
Mastodon profile for AskWoody
Home • About • FAQ • Posts & Privacy • Forums • My Account
Register • Free Newsletter • Plus Membership • Gift Certificates • MS-DEFCON Alerts
Copyright ©2004-2025 by AskWoody Tech LLC. All Rights Reserved.