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[7SP1Pro x64] On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

Magdalene

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 19, 2017
Posts
75
Location
Uk
Hi everyone,

Running Win 7 X64 SP1 and am unable to start On screen keyboard, just get the message 'Could not start On-Screen keyboard.
OSK.exe is present in System32 and System WOW64. Have tried running OSK from Run, Ease of access, in Safe Mode, Clean Boot, elevated CMD, and running directly from System32.
All these result in the same 'Could not start On screen keyboard'.
Have also run SFC /Scannow .
Would appreciate any advice.

Thanks in advance,
Magdalene.
 
Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

Two additional things you can try.
1. Toggle osk off. Open Control Panel and Ease of Access then click on Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard. If Use on Screen Keyboard is selected, remove the selection and hit apply. If onscreen keyboard is not selected, select it. (On my 64 bit computer as soon as select Use on screen keyboard, it pops up). In either case, reboot the computer and reverse what you did.

2. Create a new user account and see if osk.exe will work in that. If it does, you have a corrupted user account which is preventing osk from working.
 
Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

Two additional things you can try.
1. Toggle osk off. Open Control Panel and Ease of Access then click on Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard. If Use on Screen Keyboard is selected, remove the selection and hit apply. If onscreen keyboard is not selected, select it. (On my 64 bit computer as soon as select Use on screen keyboard, it pops up). In either case, reboot the computer and reverse what you did.

2. Create a new user account and see if osk.exe will work in that. If it does, you have a corrupted user account which is preventing osk from working.


Hi plodr,
Thank you for taking time and trouble to help.
Tried both suggestions but same result 'Could not start on-screen keyboard'
 
Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

I'll need to do some more looking since it doesn't work on a completely new account you created.

If it just stopped working, then this isn't applicable. Apparently there was a bad patch in Dec. 2014 that stopped the osk from working among other things. I checked my notes and I removed it.

Here's an article about a replacement patch. Look for both numbers around Dec. 2014.
KB3004394 and KB3022477
Microsoft releases 'Silver Bullet' patch KB 3024777 to eliminate KB 3004394 | InfoWorld
 
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Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

I'll need to do some more looking since it doesn't work on a completely new account you created.

If it just stopped working, then this isn't applicable. Apparently there was a bad patch in Dec. 2014 that stopped the osk from working among other things. I checked my notes and I removed it.

Here's an article about a replacement patch. Look for both numbers around Dec. 2014.
KB3004394 and KB3022477
Microsoft releases 'Silver Bullet' patch KB 3024777 to eliminate KB 3004394 | InfoWorld

Neither of those Patches are installed or ever have been. I have been taking a Group B patching stance (Install Security patches only as 'Ask Woody' site AKB2000003 list by pkcano)
Also, not entirely sure as to when problem developed as only use OSK infrequently.
Magdalene
 
Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

2014 was before Group B patching started. It was October of 2016 when MS started bundling everything together. I also patch using the Security only patches but in 2014, I put almost all the patches that MS suggested individually on our computers. I never did drivers suggested and I avoided items like 2952664 which MS has now offered over 20 times.

I'll see if I can find anything else about osk not working on a Windows 7 computer.
 
Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

2014 was before Group B patching started. It was October of 2016 when MS started bundling everything together. I also patch using the Security only patches but in 2014, I put almost all the patches that MS suggested individually on our computers. I never did drivers suggested and I avoided items like 2952664 which MS has now offered over 20 times.

I'll see if I can find anything else about osk not working on a Windows 7 computer.

Yes that's exactly my position. Prior to around 2016 I faithfully installed all the offered update that I considered I needed as did you, and again like your self not Drivers (just asking for trouble I decided after some hard lessons!)
However since the 'Roll up's' started to appear it' been nothing but hassle, so yes Security only until it all gets sorted?

Thanks again for your on going help.
Magdalene
 
Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

Well I never installed March's patch and I've removed January's and February's from my 64 bit Win 7 computers (2 of the 4 in the house). I did this after reading that they created a bigger hole than the original. I don't need patches on top of patches.

I did check my 32 bit and 64 systems as far as osk working and it worked. From the date you posted, I see on the 64 bit computer, I had already removed the Jan. and Feb. patches.

You could try removing the March patch and see if the osk comes back. Since you can't pinpoint exactly when it stopped working and I haven't seen anything aside from everything you've tried, you could experiment. (If you image, I'd create an image before you uninstall the Match patch).

Before you do that, I have a friend at another forum who keeps her 90+ year old mother's Win 7 laptop patched. She just did March. I'll ask her to test the osk and see if it works. If it does, then removing March's patch would probably be useless.

It might take a few days for her to read my PM and get back to me with the results.
 
Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

Well I never installed March's patch and I've removed January's and February's from my 64 bit Win 7 computers (2 of the 4 in the house). I did this after reading that they created a bigger hole than the original. I don't need patches on top of patches.

I did check my 32 bit and 64 systems as far as osk working and it worked. From the date you posted, I see on the 64 bit computer, I had already removed the Jan. and Feb. patches.

You could try removing the March patch and see if the osk comes back. Since you can't pinpoint exactly when it stopped working and I haven't seen anything aside from everything you've tried, you could experiment. (If you image, I'd create an image before you uninstall the Match patch).

Before you do that, I have a friend at another forum who keeps her 90+ year old mother's Win 7 laptop patched. She just did March. I'll ask her to test the osk and see if it works. If it does, then removing March's patch would probably be useless.

It might take a few days for her to read my PM and get back to me with the results.

Hi plodr,
I did not install the March patch. My last patch was December 2018 KB4052978.
Thanks again for your help,
Magdalene.
 
Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

Back to the drawing board because your 64 bit laptop has the same patches that my 64 bit one has and osk is working for me.

Also, I heard back from my friend and her mother's laptop has all the 2018 patches (security only) and osk loads fine either thru search/run or Ease of Access.

She wondered if perhaps an Office update did something. I don't have Office installed and my friend installed Libre Office for her mother.

So, do you have Office installed? And if so, what version? That will give me something to look over.
Also what is the last Office patch you installed?
 
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Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

Back to the drawing board because your 64 bit laptop has the same patches that my 64 bit one has and osk is working for me.

Also, I heard back from my friend and her mother's laptop has all the 2018 patches (security only) and osk loads fine either thru search/run or Ease of Access.

She wondered if perhaps an Office update did something. I don't have Office installed and my friend installed Libre Office for her mother.

So, do you have Office installed? And if so, what version? That will give me something to look over.
Also what is the last Office patch you installed?

Hi plodr,
I don't have Office installed but instead also use Libre Office.

Thanks again for your help.
 
Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

I get as far as the last post in that thread, a post by Brink and can see nothing until I register.
Log in | Vista Forums

I went searching and found these directions:
Start > Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. To the right of the window, click on the link titled Turn Windows Features On or Off.

If you have icons then it would be
Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features. To the right of the window, click on the link titled Turn Windows Features On or Off.

I just fired up my netbook, which does not have a touchscreen, and had a look.
I have Tablet PC Components ticked/checked and my osk is working.
 
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Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

"has all the 2018 patches (security only) and osk loads fine either thru search/run or Ease of Access." and me too!
I did find a solution for an HP laptop by turning off Tablet PC Components. Maybe you have something similar.
On-screen keyboard problem Solved - Windows 7 Help Forums

Hi StruldBrug,
Thank you for reply post.
Have already tried that and no change.

Magdalene.
 
Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

Check to see that you have 7 locations for osk.
Here's what I discovered when I went through the computer.

6 folder locations of osk on a 64 bit computer:

I'm not sure why amd64 is in the path because this computer has an Intel CPU. (Ivy Bridge)
C:\Windows\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-osk_31bf3856ad364e35
I have 3 different versions 6.1.7600 and 6.1.7601 followed by 18512 and 22722

C:\Windows\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-osk_31bf3856ad364e35
with the same 3 versions.

I found another which Void Tools didn't show:
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\osk.exe

When I "run" osk.exe (I actually right clicked it and looked at all the tabs) and select properties, I see that v 18512 is the version that comes up. It is 676kb and has a date of 17 June 2014.

If you have them at those 7 locations, the next thing to try is a clean boot. This is not the same as booting into safe mode.
It is explained here
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows
Scroll past the Summary to the section titled How to perform a clean boot and click on Windows 7 and Vista to get screen shots and directions.
 
Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

Check to see that you have 7 locations for osk.
Here's what I discovered when I went through the computer.

6 folder locations of osk on a 64 bit computer:

I'm not sure why amd64 is in the path because this computer has an Intel CPU. (Ivy Bridge)
C:\Windows\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-osk_31bf3856ad364e35
I have 3 different versions 6.1.7600 and 6.1.7601 followed by 18512 and 22722

C:\Windows\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-osk_31bf3856ad364e35
with the same 3 versions.

I found another which Void Tools didn't show:
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\osk.exe

When I "run" osk.exe (I actually right clicked it and looked at all the tabs) and select properties, I see that v 18512 is the version that comes up. It is 676kb and has a date of 17 June 2014.

If you have them at those 7 locations, the next thing to try is a clean boot. This is not the same as booting into safe mode.
It is explained here
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows
Scroll past the Summary to the section titled How to perform a clean boot and click on Windows 7 and Vista to get screen shots and directions.

Hi everyone,
Checking my Computer (with Void Everything) shows 8 location of OSK.exe. The seven you found plus one at C:\Windows\System32. All versions/dates etc: agree with those on your Computer.
Performed Clean boot to no avail.
Magdalene
 
Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

Well, this has me stumped. You've tried all the recommended solutions I've been able to find and you have all the files in the correct locations.

If I think of anything else or somehow find a thread I overlooked, I'll resurrect this thread.
 
Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

I too show 6 system files for AMD64 and x86 with single entries for Jul09 and double entries for Jun14. These likely are the results of initial install and the later SP1.
Regarding AMD, it seems AMD wrote some of the code for MS, when the OS was put together. The question came up a few months ago on askwoody, involving meltdown and spectre, where one of the more tech persons provided a coding background explanation. The use of AMD OS code in a system with an Intel cpu has no direct effect on the difference/variation of kernel vulnerabilities, which Intel and AMD cpus have.
Additionally, I have osk.exe in both system32 and sysWOW64 directories. I tested each by double clicking them and was able to start osk. You might try that. An interesting thing I observed, using processexplorer(run with admin), was the path for both was system32. So, it seems some redirection is taking place. You might also try to run each at a command prompt(admin not needed) ... c:\windows\system32\osk.exe and c:\windows\sysWOW64\osk.exe
Are you running any lockdown prevention products like NoVirusThanks, CryptoPrevent, or anything similar? If you are, you might try disabling them or at least lowering their prevention levels.
Finally, have you been hit with any significant malware in the past?
 
Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

I too show 6 system files for AMD64 and x86 with single entries for Jul09 and double entries for Jun14. These likely are the results of initial install and the later SP1.
Regarding AMD, it seems AMD wrote some of the code for MS, when the OS was put together. The question came up a few months ago on askwoody, involving meltdown and spectre, where one of the more tech persons provided a coding background explanation. The use of AMD OS code in a system with an Intel cpu has no direct effect on the difference/variation of kernel vulnerabilities, which Intel and AMD cpus have.
Additionally, I have osk.exe in both system32 and sysWOW64 directories. I tested each by double clicking them and was able to start osk. You might try that. An interesting thing I observed, using processexplorer(run with admin), was the path for both was system32. So, it seems some redirection is taking place. You might also try to run each at a command prompt(admin not needed) ... c:\windows\system32\osk.exe and c:\windows\sysWOW64\osk.exe
Are you running any lockdown prevention products like NoVirusThanks, CryptoPrevent, or anything similar? If you are, you might try disabling them or at least lowering their prevention levels.
Finally, have you been hit with any significant malware in the past?

Hi,

Tried your suggestion running from command but OSK still not starting.
No Malware hits , and no lockdown products. Just have Avast free and run all browsers in Sandboxie.
However, ran SFC Fix (unscripted ) again this morning and getting:

AutoAnalysis::
WARNING: Components hive failed final reload test with error code ERROR_PRIVILEGE_NOT_HELD and may be corrupt.

Any advice appreciated.
Have attached relevant Text Logs.

Magdalene
 

Attachments

Re: Win 7 X64 SP1 On Screen Keyboard (OSK) not starting

Re. the AMD64 files/folders mentioned: AMD64 is simply MS speak for their x64 Windows version files and they're the same for both Intel and AMD -based PCs; AMD based their x64 extensions on those of Intel's x86 and it became the standard; Intel's own x64 version (IA-64) is only used for the Itanium line of Intel server CPUs. There's a reasonably concise explanation here, the relevant Wikipedia articles are quite wordy ;)
 

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