Opened Task Manager, can't interact with desktop anymore

[crayonnoisseur]

Can't figure out why steam game streaming wants to keep you from force quitting games so badly. Alt-tab and Ctrl+Alt+Del both don't work. Was able to kite this originally by opening a game with a launcher (I used Elite: Dangerous) and minimizing the launcher so that I could see the desktop. I foolishly opened task manager, and now I can't interact with desktop. I'm away from home right now, so I'm kinda pissed that I just lost remote PC access. Any fixes/suggestions are very welcome right now.

[crayonnoisseur]

Found a workaround that involves another game. Booting Crusader Kings 2 and loading a DLC in the store page will open a different window on the desktop that lets you close task manager. PLEASE, VALVE. LET US STREAM OUR DESKTOP WITHOUT HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS.

[need.more.brain]

Half a year ago you could simply add Notepad to your Steam library and press F1 to open Help and get full access to desktop. I think they introduced this as a security means. I am not sure. If this is the reason they did it half heartedly because when I use Steam Remote on my iPad to access my desktop everything is just fine ... except for the circumstance that I am using my Desktop on a tablet which is meh.

[Salty4life]

Replying here since THIS IS SOMEHOW STILL AN ISSUE!!

[󠁳⁧⁧Dude]

Originally posted by Salty4life:

Replying here since THIS IS SOMEHOW STILL AN ISSUE!!

This isn't an issue, it's a security feature. You're also not allowed to interact with your Windows file explorer or many other Windows applications.

[Salty4life]

Originally posted by 󠁳⁧⁧Dude:

Originally posted by Salty4life:

Replying here since THIS IS SOMEHOW STILL AN ISSUE!!

This isn't an issue, it's a security feature. You're also not allowed to interact with your Windows file explorer or many other Windows applications.

You can interact with windows applications like file explorer and Windows settings, heck you can even unlock a windows system and they even made a post about that feature this is just something they either haven't taken the time to take care of, or they can't figure a way to do it

[󠁳⁧⁧Dude]

Originally posted by Salty4life:

Originally posted by 󠁳⁧⁧Dude:

This isn't an issue, it's a security feature. You're also not allowed to interact with your Windows file explorer or many other Windows applications.

You can interact with windows applications like file explorer and Windows settings, heck you can even unlock a windows system and they even made a post about that feature this is just something they either haven't taken the time to take care of, or they can't figure a way to do it

I've literally never been able to interact with things like the File Explorer or Windows Settings when I use Steam Link. At least, from computer to computer. Unlocking a computer is one thing but it isn't uncommon for remote desktop applications to just not allow you to interact with things that might be considered a security risk. It's something that even the remote desktop software that my work uses, doesn't allow.

[Drakes Number #1 Victim]

You have to do the first thing with interacting with you computer at home (had to ask someone at home to do that) now I can't access ♥♥♥♥?? That's bs

[_I_]

Originally posted by Drakes Number 1# Victim:

You have to do the first thing with interacting with you computer at home (had to ask someone at home to do that) now I can't access ♥♥♥♥?? That's bs

yes, you need to pair the devices, then you can use them
good idea to pair with link app on your phone first, then you can use that to control the host to pair another pc or link app

[K4Kat]

Workaround in more detail

> First stop streaming
> Change Streaming mode to Big Picture
> Start Streaming and Start any game
> Stop streaming (Don't close the game)
> Change Steaming mode back to Desktop
> Start Streaming
> Press Alt + Tab and change to any other window (except task manager)
> Now you have access to desktop (Now if you want you can close the task manager by right click on task manager on taskbar)