Powertoys Error: "Something Went Wrong"

[anironbutterfly]

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.95.0

Installation method

PowerToys auto-update

Area(s) with issue?

General

Steps to reproduce

I was booting up my laptop for the first time today and Power toys threw the following error, which I copied from the log / error window:

Something Went Wrong:

C:\Users\aniro\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\PowerToys Run\Logs\0.95.0.0\2025-11-09.txt

Version: 0.95.0.0
OS Version: Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.26200.0
IntPtr Length: 8
x64: True
Date: 11/9/2025 09:20:09
Exception:
System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException: Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation.
---> 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.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.OnApplicationThemeChanged(ThemeMode oldThemeMode, ThemeMode newThemeMode)
at PowerLauncher.Helper.ThemeManager.SetSystemTheme(Theme theme)
at PowerLauncher.Helper.ThemeManager.<>c__DisplayClass14_0.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 System.RuntimeMethodHandle.InvokeMethod(Object target, Void** arguments, Signature sig, Boolean isConstructor)
at System.Reflection.MethodBaseInvoker.InvokeDirectByRefWithFewArgs(Object obj, Span1 copyOfArgs, BindingFlags invokeAttr) --- End of inner exception stack trace --- at System.Reflection.MethodBaseInvoker.InvokeDirectByRefWithFewArgs(Object obj, Span1 copyOfArgs, BindingFlags invokeAttr)
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)

✔️ Expected Behavior

I was expecting Power Toys to load and run in the background as usual, running in the background.

❌ Actual Behavior

I got the error message and log file mentioned above as my startup apps were executing in the background.

Additional Information

Windows 11 Home version 25 H2, build 26200.7019 installed 10.17.25
Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.265.0
Microsoft .NET Runtime - 6.0.36 (x64)
English (US)
Last update via Power Toys notification that there was a new version.
My account on this PC is Admin, but the update was not run deliberately "as admin".

Other Software

n/a

[github-actions]

The following issues might be duplicates:

• [PTRun] System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException: {Desktop composition is disabled} 0x80263001 #31226

AI-generated content by genai-issue-dedup may be incorrect.

[jiripolasek]

/dup #31226

[microsoft-github-policy-service]

Hi! We've identified this issue as a duplicate of another one that already exists on this Issue Tracker. This specific instance is being closed in favor of tracking the concern over on the referenced thread. Thanks for your report!