PowerToys Crashes Due to COMException: Desktop Composition Disabled (0x80263001)

[SudiptaSaha20]

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.86.0.0

Installation method

GitHub

Running as admin

No

Area(s) with issue?

General

Steps to reproduce

Version: 0.86.0.0
OS Version: Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.26100.0
IntPtr Length: 8
x64: True
Date: 24-12-2024 00:48:07
Exception:
System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x80263001): {Desktop composition is disabled} The operation could not be completed because desktop composition is disabled. (0x80263001)
at Standard.NativeMethods.DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea(IntPtr hwnd, MARGINS& pMarInset)
at System.Windows.Shell.WindowChromeWorker._ExtendGlassFrame()
at System.Windows.Shell.WindowChromeWorker._UpdateFrameState(Boolean force)
at System.Windows.Shell.WindowChromeWorker._HandleDwmCompositionChanged(WM uMsg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
at System.Windows.Shell.WindowChromeWorker._WndProc(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
at System.Windows.Interop.HwndSource.PublicHooksFilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
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)

✔️ Expected Behavior

PowerToys should function normally without crashing, even if desktop composition (DWM) is disabled. The application should gracefully handle scenarios where desktop composition features are unavailable.

❌ Actual Behavior

PowerToys crashes and throws a System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException with the error code 0x80263001, indicating that desktop composition is disabled. This occurs when the application attempts to extend the glass frame into the client area using DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea.

Other Software

No response

[similar-issues-ai]

We've found some similar issues:

• PowerToys Crushed #36362 , similarity score: 89%
• fatal crash when Desktop composition is disabled #35920 , similarity score: 88%
• The operation could not be completed because desktop composition is disabled.  #34217 , similarity score: 87%
• Exception:System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x80263001): {Desktop composition is disabled} The operation could not be completed because desktop composition is disabled. (0x80263001) #32726 , similarity score: 86%
• Bug report #31240 , similarity score: 86%

If any of the above are duplicates, please consider closing this issue out and adding additional context in the original issue.

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[Jay-o-Way]

Update to the latest version and this should be fixed