Strange cursor behavior when logging into a Microsoft account

[Markus77]

In addition to my Thrustmaster pedals and Virpil collective, I have a WinWing throttle, a WinWing joystick, and the WinWing PTO2 connected to my PC. I've now noticed that I can no longer log into my Microsoft account (login.live.com) because the cursor immediately starts jumping from one input field to the next. It feels like someone is rapidly pressing the arrow key (or Tab key) repeatedly. Even if I move the PROBE Emerg Extd switch on the PTO2 panel to the down position, the cursor on the login.live.com page quickly moves 'right' through all the input fields, and if I move the switch to the middle position, the cursor quickly moves 'left' until it almost stops pulsating when I press 'back'. This phenomenon has only occurred on the Microsoft login page (login.live.com) and across multiple browsers, and only when WinWing devices are connected. It almost feels as if the Microsoft login page is polling the joystick movements. Perhaps someone has a solution so I don't have to unplug all my WinWing devices every time I want to log in to Microsoft. I have two PCs, and the same phenomenon occurs on both. Thank you and best regards, Markus

P.S. A user describes a similar problem on Reddit here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/antivirus/comments/1grw3ix/loginlivecom_cursor_moves_away_from_field_instant/

[mkel2010]

A couple of things to check: First, reboot your system and then open an administrator command prompt and run sfc /scannow to check for corrupted system files.

If that doesn't find an issue, open Device Manager and then open the USB portions of the Device Manager and make sure you don't have an issue with one of the USB devices. If you don't find anything there, unplug all your USB devices and then re-install the drivers for each USB port and driver left in Device Manager. Then plug in each USB device one at a time and test your Microsoft login after each one.

The issue is most likely a driver issue or conflict and it will take some work track it down.

[Markus77]

Thanks for the advice. I've already tried them all, unfortunately without success. It's strange that this phenomenon only occurs on the Microsoft website (https://login.live.com/), as if the site is polling joystick movements. I've also opened a ticket at WinWing about this. Let's see if they can find anything out. Regards, Markus

[mkel2010]

1 hour ago, Markus77 said:

Thanks for the advice. I've already tried them all, unfortunately without success. It's strange that this phenomenon only occurs on the Microsoft website (https://login.live.com/), as if the site is polling joystick movements. I've also opened a ticket at WinWing about this. Let's see if they can find anything out. Regards, Markus

I would suggest also reaching out to Microsoft. Have you identified the device that's causing the issue? 

[Markus77]

I also think it's more likely a problem specific to this Microsoft page (https://login.live.com/). I haven't encountered this issue anywhere else. This particular Microsoft page seems to be polling joystick inputs. Moving my joystick's axes on this page has the same effect as pressing the arrow keys; i.e., moving the joystick forward results in pressing the up arrow key. Moving my Virpil Collective's axis cycles through the individual active or interactive elements on the Microsoft page, from top to bottom or left to right. I have two computers (both with AM4 sockets) and experience the same problem on both, even though different USB devices are connected, but both have a WinWing Throttle and a WinWing Base.

P.S.: The problem also occurs with different browsers (tested with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge).

[Hiob]

You're not alone with that issue.

I have the same exact problem. Exclusively with Microsoft login.

I have no solution though. I circumvented the problem by using a password manager and using different devices.

Curious about the root cause though.

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

7 hours ago, Markus77 said:

as if the site is polling joystick movements

I have no idea if this works (I don’t use a M$ account), but you could try using a little programme called HID Hide. I use that to prevent other games setting my flight sim peripherals as default “controller”.

Basically you can make whichever peripheral you want invisible to all but the programmes you select yourself. I’ve been using it for years and years, and it works brilliantly for games etc.

[Hiob]

I detached every input device (including trackIR) except mouse and keyboard from the system. The issue persisted.

Only thing left to try for me is to try a generic wired keyboard instead of my wireless.

Maybe MS is punishing me for ditching Edge....

Edited 10 hours ago by Hiob

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

1 hour ago, Hiob said:

Maybe MS is punishing me for ditching Edge....

You’re punishing yourself when using a M$ account, but that’s an entirely different discussion

[Hiob]

2 hours ago, Raven (Elysian Angel) said:

You’re punishing yourself when using a M$ account, but that’s an entirely different discussion

Totally agreed. And for windows itself I use an offline account.

However for MSFS you ned an Xbox account (one and the same)....