Windows 7 Can Lose Touch after Sleep or Hibernation

The introduction of native multitouch capabilities is one of the most consistent aspects of the evolution from Windows Vista to Windows 7. However, Microsoft noted that, in certain scenarios, customers running touch-capable computers and Windows 7 would not be able to actually use touch. The Redmond company explained that touch issues could occur on Windows 7 Tablet PCs, but also on Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 machines with Human Input Devices (HID) connected.

Specifically, computers meeting the description above, and also having multiple users logged, can prevent certain account owners from logging on, after the machine resumes from either sleep or hibernation. “In this scenario, the touch capability is lost unexpectedly. Therefore, the user cannot log on to the computer by using the pen or the touch screen,” Microsoft explained. “The touch capability functions correctly for users who were logged on to the computer before it entered sleep or hibernation.”

According to the software giant, the problem affects computers with hardware supporting touch-based user interaction models and running all editions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. For the time being, Microsoft is offering customers impacted by this issue a hotfix designed to resolve the glitch. However, the company emphasized that only affected customers, finding themselves in these specific scenarios, should download and implement the hotfix. For remaining users, an update will be offered at a later date. In addition, in case a standalone refresh will not be released, Microsoft will include the hotfix into the first service pack for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

“This issue occurs when a new user tries to log on to the computer after it resumes from sleep or hibernate. In this situation, the Human Input Devices change their power state from the working power state to the sleeping power state,” the company added. “Note The Human Input Devices in this scenario are the pen and touch screen.”