There’s a clear connection between this empty window and OneDrive since affected users are reporting that the empty window disappears as soon as OneDrive is closed. However, when OneDrive has opened again, the same empty window returns. Update: The reason why this empty window appears is that the UI behavior has changed with the latest OneDrive update process. This update is exclusive to Office 365 and OneDrive for Business and it causes an additional “Sign in to SharePoint” prompt which spawns a new executable (Microsoft.SharePoint.exe) that’s producing the DesktopWindowXamlSource empty window. It’s clear that this empty window anomaly is an unintended consequence that will get patched at some point by Microsoft. But until then, you have a few workarounds that will allow you to prevent the OneDrive-related empty window from appearing on your screen again.
1. Restarting the OneDrive process (temporary fix)
If you’re just starting to troubleshoot the issue, the first thing you should try is to restart the active OneDrive process and see if the ‘DesktopWindowXamlSource’ empty window goes away on its own. However, keep in mind that even if this method works in your case, there’s a big chance you’ll see the empty window again as soon as OneDrive is open again. Note: Consider this a temporary fix and avoid it entirely if you’re constantly using OneDrive. Some users have reported that even after they closed the main OneDrive process, the empty window didn’t appear until the next restart. Here’s a quick guide on restarting the main OneDrive process:
2. Hard restart Explorer via CMD (temporary fix)
Another temporary fix that you can try if you’re in the hurry is to use an elevated CMD window to kill the main explorer executable then start it again from the same terminal. Other users that have also tried this fix have confirmed that the empty widow does not return once the explorer is restarted. However, the drawback of this method is that once you restart your PC, the annoying ‘DesktopWindowXamlSource’ empty window will return. If you want to go this route, follow the instructions below to use the skill command on explorer.exe to eliminate the empty window:
3. Reinstall OneDrive (if applicable)
The empty window bug will only occur as a result of a OneDrive update carried out via Windows Update. With this in mind, you should be able to avoid the empty window entirely by uninstalling OneDrive along with the problematic update, then clean installing the latest version from scratch. Update: This workaround is only confirmed to work for users that are using the personal OneDrive version. If you’re using OneDrive for Business, skip this method and move directly to the next potential fix below. Here’s a quick guide on reinstalling OneDrive personally and fixing the ‘DesktopWindowXamlSource’ empty window:
4. Switch on OneDrive Insider Preview
Another way to avoid the ‘DesktopWindowXamlSource’ empty window issue is to join the OneDrive preview program from the About tab. Doing this means that you will automatically re-version your Onedrive installation to a more recent build in which the problem has been fixed. Note: Although this workaround is confirmed to be effective for a lot of users, it carries some risks – you’ll be upgrading to an insider preview build that’s even more unable than the public release. If you want to try this fix, follow the instructions below to join the OneDrive Insider Preview program and get rid of the ‘DesktopWindowXamlSource’ empty window:
5. Modify Multi-Tasking settings
This method is guaranteed to help you hide the empty window icon so it will never bother you visually again. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll actually fix the underlying cause that’s triggering the error. All this method does it hides windows that are open outside of the desktop that you’re using. Note: even if you follow this method and you manage to hide the empty window, this glitch will still produce it’s effects and consume your system resources. To do this, you’ll need to access the Multi-Tasking tab of the Settings menu and modify a setting under the Virtual Desktops heading:
6. Rollback to older OneDrive version and prevent update
If you don’t mind rolling back your current OneDrive version, you can also fix this error by reverting back to a build where the empty window was not a problem. However, this procedure is a bit more complicated than this since you will also need to take some additional steps to ensure that the problematic build won’t get installed again. Important: This method will disable the OneDrive Per-Machine Standalone Update Task which is responsible for auto-updating OneDrive. While this method works for now, it might prevent you from getting new versions of the apps once Microsoft finally patches it. Here’s a quick guide on rolling back the current OneDrive version (22.253.1204.0001) and installing 22.248.1127.0001 without giving the older build a chance to upload: Note: Our recommendation is to keep an eye out for an official hotfix and re-enable the OneDrive Standalone Update Task to allow OnDrive to update again once the issue is fixed.
