Improper initialization of UIA during NVDA start

[zstanecic]

Steps to reproduce:

1. Start or restart NVDA.
2. See the log.
   INFO - main (15:43:24.276) - MainThread (21816):
   Starting NVDA version alpha-24688,af3b8440
   INFO - core.main (15:43:24.339) - MainThread (21816):
   Config dir: C:\Users\ninos\AppData\Roaming\nvda
   INFO - config.ConfigManager._loadConfig (15:43:24.340) - MainThread (21816):
   Loading config: C:\Users\ninos\AppData\Roaming\nvda\nvda.ini
   INFO - core.main (15:43:24.427) - MainThread (21816):
   Windows version: Windows 11 21H2 (10.0.22000) workstation
   INFO - core.main (15:43:24.427) - MainThread (21816):
   Using Python version 3.7.9 (tags/v3.7.9:13c94747c7, Aug 17 2020, 18:01:55) [MSC v.1900 32 bit (Intel)]
   INFO - core.main (15:43:24.428) - MainThread (21816):
   Using comtypes version 1.1.8
   INFO - core.main (15:43:24.428) - MainThread (21816):
   Using configobj version 5.1.0 with validate version 1.0.1
   INFO - synthDrivers.espeak.SynthDriver.init (15:43:24.737) - MainThread (21816):
   Using eSpeak NG version 1.51-dev
   INFO - synthDriverHandler.setSynth (15:43:24.818) - MainThread (21816):
   Loaded synthDriver espeak
   INFO - core.main (15:43:24.818) - MainThread (21816):
   Using wx version 4.1.1 msw (phoenix) wxWidgets 3.1.5 with six version 1.16.0
   INFO - brailleInput.initialize (15:43:24.820) - MainThread (21816):
   Braille input initialized
   INFO - braille.initialize (15:43:24.821) - MainThread (21816):
   Using liblouis version 3.20.0
   INFO - braille.initialize (15:43:24.824) - MainThread (21816):
   Using pySerial version 3.5
   INFO - braille.BrailleHandler.setDisplayByName (15:43:24.834) - MainThread (21816):
   Loaded braille display driver noBraille, current display has 0 cells.
   INFO - core.main (15:43:25.054) - MainThread (21816):
   Java Access Bridge support initialized
   INFO - UIAHandler.UIAHandler.MTAThreadFunc (15:43:25.167) - UIAHandler.UIAHandler.MTAThread (21952):
   UIAutomation: IUIAutomation6
   ERROR - NVDAHelperLocal (15:43:25.309) - UIAHandler.UIAHandler.MTAThread (21952):
   Thread 21952, build\x86\UIARemote\UIARemote.cpp, initialize, 141:
   Error activating activation context for C:\Program Files (x86)\NVDA\lib\alpha-24688,af3b8440\Microsoft.UI.UIAutomation.dll.manifest

INFO - core.main (15:43:25.394) - MainThread (21816):
NVDA initialized

Actual behavior:

NVDA starts with error above, which also has the impact when navigating word documents.

Expected behavior:

No errors.

System configuration

NVDA installed/portable/running from source:

installed

NVDA version:

Starting NVDA version alpha-24688,af3b8440
NVDA version alpha-24688,af3b8440

Windows version:

Windows 11 21H2 (10.0.22000) workstation

Name and version of other software in use when reproducing the issue:

Microsoft word version 16.0.14827.20186 - 64 bit

Other information about your system:

Other questions

Does the issue still occur after restarting your computer?

yes

Have you tried any other versions of NVDA? If so, please report their behaviors.

yes, previous version of alpha, no problem in previous version whatsoever

If NVDA add-ons are disabled, is your problem still occurring?

yes

Does the issue still occur after you run the COM Registration Fixing Tool in NVDA's tools menu?

not applicable

[seanbudd]

Possibly caused by #13283 and fixed by #13350.
Can you confirm that this is fixed by updating to the next alpha build? The next alpha with the fix is still building, but it should be ready in 30min.

cc @michaelDCurran

[seanbudd]

The latest alpha is ready: https://www.nvaccess.org/files/nvda/snapshots/alpha/nvda_snapshot_alpha-24701,80ac33a8.exe

[MarcoZehe]

I can confirm that this is fixed in the latest alpha. I was also seeing that error yesterday, but after updating, it is gone.

[feerrenrut]

Closing as fixed with revert (see PR #13350)