12

I'm having problems with graphics that get "stuck" in Windows 7, usually when selecting an item in a menu. See screenshot.

It's removed if I change the resoultion of the screen.

How can I fix this?

alt text

Improve this question
2

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
10

This problem started in Windows 2000 when fading menus were added. I believe they implemented this in kernel code, so it's integrated deeply into the OS. Nobody seems to have found a solution to the stuck fading menu item bug, but you can turn off fading menu items.

Simply uncheck Fade out menu items after clicking in performance options:

alt text

Improve this answer
1
  • Just adding that I came on here looking for a fix for this solution, as it happens in Chrome to me when CPU is running other tasks, even with my i7-2600k. This solution fixed the issue, so thank you and +1.
    – Paul
    Sep 13, 2011 at 20:00
5

The answer above, disabling menu fade out, will prevent it from happening in the future. If you need to clear a menu item that's already stuck on your screen without rebooting, you can go to the Display control panel, select "Change display settings" on the left, and change your resolution. When asked if you want to keep the changes or revert, click the "Revert" button. Your display settings will stay the same, but the annoying floating menu item will go away.

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    Actually, that doesnt work =(
    – Ted
    Nov 1, 2011 at 9:19
  • I set it to a lower resolution, saved it, and it looked like the orphaned graphic wasn't there, but when I put the resolution back to the original value it was in the same place, so it had 'disappeared' just because it was off-screen. As this works for some people and not for others I guess it depends on the type of graphic that is orphaned
    – guymid
    Jan 22, 2015 at 8:22
2

If you want to remove the menu item that's stuck on your screen, simply click on the Ctrl button. It disappears. That doesn't solve the problem, but it helps to make it less irritating.

Improve this answer
2
  • 3
    That doesnt work...
    – Ted
    Nov 1, 2011 at 9:19
  • It works for me. If it matters, I do have turned on to make a visual animated ring to point out where the mouse pointer is located when I hit the [Ctrl] button. Maybe this effect also refreshes the screen so the stuck item is removed.
    – awe
    Jan 2, 2014 at 10:22
1

For me changing the screen resolution worked. Try the steps below:

  1. Right click and select "Screen Resolution" from the menu
  2. Select a different screen resolution to your normal one
  3. Select the "Apply" button (bottom right)
  4. Select the "Keep Changes" button
  5. Repeat the above steps but select your normal screen resolution during step 1
Improve this answer
0

You can also clear an element that's already on screen without rebooting by going to Services and restarting the Desktop Window Manager Session Manager.

Improve this answer