Improve module enable/disable IPC and sorting reliability (#44734)

<!-- Enter a brief description/summary of your PR here. What does it
fix/what does it change/how was it tested (even manually, if necessary)?
-->
## Summary of the Pull Request

- Refactored the runner logic for handling individual module
enable/disable updates. Instead of receiving the entire settings.json
via IPC, it now processes only single-module state updates, which avoids
race conditions and fixes a bug where modules could end up being
skipped.
- Fixed an issue where the sort order option could be deselected — it is
now enforced as a mutually exclusive choice.
- Fixed a potential race condition when updating the AppList control’s
sorting.


<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist

- [x] Closes: #44697
<!-- - [ ] Closes: #yyy (add separate lines for additional resolved
issues) -->
- [x] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If the work hasn't been agreed, this work might be rejected
- [x] **Tests:** Added/updated and all pass
- [x] **Localization:** All end-user-facing strings can be localized
- [ ] **Dev docs:** Added/updated
- [ ] **New binaries:** Added on the required places
- [ ] [JSON for
signing](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/ESRPSigning_core.json)
for new binaries
- [ ] [WXS for
installer](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/installer/PowerToysSetup/Product.wxs)
for new binaries and localization folder
- [ ] [YML for CI
pipeline](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/ci/templates/build-powertoys-steps.yml)
for new test projects
- [ ] [YML for signed
pipeline](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/release.yml)
- [ ] **Documentation updated:** If checked, please file a pull request
on [our docs
repo](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-uwp/tree/docs/hub/powertoys)
and link it here: #xxx

<!-- Provide a more detailed description of the PR, other things fixed,
or any additional comments/features here -->
## Detailed Description of the Pull Request / Additional comments

<!-- Describe how you validated the behavior. Add automated tests
wherever possible, but list manual validation steps taken as well -->
## Validation Steps Performed

---------

Co-authored-by: Copilot <175728472+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

src/runner/general_settings.cpp

@@ -193,6 +193,102 @@ GeneralSettings get_general_settings()
     return settings;
 }
 
+void apply_module_status_update(const json::JsonObject& module_config, bool save)
+{
+    Logger::info(L"apply_module_status_update: {}", std::wstring{ module_config.ToString() });
+
+    // Expected format: {"ModuleName": true/false} - only one module per update
+    auto iter = module_config.First();
+    if (!iter.HasCurrent())
+    {
+        Logger::warn(L"apply_module_status_update: Empty module config");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    const auto& element = iter.Current();
+    const auto value = element.Value();
+    if (value.ValueType() != json::JsonValueType::Boolean)
+    {
+        Logger::warn(L"apply_module_status_update: Invalid value type for module status");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    const std::wstring name{ element.Key().c_str() };
+    if (modules().find(name) == modules().end())
+    {
+        Logger::warn(L"apply_module_status_update: Module {} not found", name);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    PowertoyModule& powertoy = modules().at(name);
+    const bool module_inst_enabled = powertoy->is_enabled();
+    bool target_enabled = value.GetBoolean();
+
+    auto gpo_rule = powertoy->gpo_policy_enabled_configuration();
+    if (gpo_rule == powertoys_gpo::gpo_rule_configured_enabled || gpo_rule == powertoys_gpo::gpo_rule_configured_disabled)
+    {
+        // Apply the GPO Rule.
+        target_enabled = gpo_rule == powertoys_gpo::gpo_rule_configured_enabled;
+    }
+
+    if (module_inst_enabled == target_enabled)
+    {
+        Logger::info(L"apply_module_status_update: Module {} already in target state {}", name, target_enabled);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (target_enabled)
+    {
+        Logger::info(L"apply_module_status_update: Enabling powertoy {}", name);
+        powertoy->enable();
+        auto& hkmng = HotkeyConflictDetector::HotkeyConflictManager::GetInstance();
+        hkmng.EnableHotkeyByModule(name);
+
+        // Trigger AI capability detection when ImageResizer is enabled
+        if (name == L"Image Resizer")
+        {
+            Logger::info(L"ImageResizer enabled, triggering AI capability detection");
+            DetectAiCapabilitiesAsync(true);  // Skip settings check since we know it's being enabled
+        }
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        Logger::info(L"apply_module_status_update: Disabling powertoy {}", name);
+        powertoy->disable();
+        auto& hkmng = HotkeyConflictDetector::HotkeyConflictManager::GetInstance();
+        hkmng.DisableHotkeyByModule(name);
+    }
+    // Sync the hotkey state with the module state, so it can be removed for disabled modules.
+    powertoy.UpdateHotkeyEx();
+
+    if (save)
+    {
+        // Load existing settings and only update the specific module's enabled state
+        json::JsonObject current_settings = PTSettingsHelper::load_general_settings();
+        
+        json::JsonObject enabled;
+        if (current_settings.HasKey(L"enabled"))
+        {
+            enabled = current_settings.GetNamedObject(L"enabled");
+        }
+        
+        // Check if the saved state is different from the requested state
+        bool current_saved = enabled.HasKey(name) ? enabled.GetNamedBoolean(name, true) : true;
+        
+        if (current_saved != target_enabled)
+        {
+            // Update only this module's enabled state
+            enabled.SetNamedValue(name, json::value(target_enabled));
+            current_settings.SetNamedValue(L"enabled", enabled);
+            
+            PTSettingsHelper::save_general_settings(current_settings);
+            
+            GeneralSettings settings_for_trace = get_general_settings();
+            Trace::SettingsChanged(settings_for_trace);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 void apply_general_settings(const json::JsonObject& general_configs, bool save)
 {
     std::wstring old_settings_json_string;

src/runner/general_settings.h

@@ -38,4 +38,5 @@ struct GeneralSettings
 json::JsonObject load_general_settings();
 GeneralSettings get_general_settings();
 void apply_general_settings(const json::JsonObject& general_configs, bool save = true);
+void apply_module_status_update(const json::JsonObject& module_config, bool save = true);
 void start_enabled_powertoys();

src/runner/settings_window.cpp

@@ -215,6 +215,12 @@ void dispatch_received_json(const std::wstring& json_to_parse)
             //         current_settings_ipc->send(settings_string);
             // }
         }
+        else if (name == L"module_status")
+        {
+            // Handle single module enable/disable update
+            // Expected format: {"module_status": {"ModuleName": true/false}}
+            apply_module_status_update(value.GetObjectW());
+        }
         else if (name == L"powertoys")
         {
             dispatch_json_config_to_modules(value.GetObjectW());

src/settings-ui/QuickAccess.UI/QuickAccessXAML/Flyout/AppsListPage.xaml.cs

@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ public sealed partial class AppsListPage : Page
         if (ViewModel != null)
         {
             ViewModel.DashboardSortOrder = DashboardSortOrder.Alphabetical;
+            ((ToggleMenuFlyoutItem)sender).IsChecked = true;
         }
     }
 
@@ -59,6 +60,7 @@ public sealed partial class AppsListPage : Page
         if (ViewModel != null)
         {
             ViewModel.DashboardSortOrder = DashboardSortOrder.ByStatus;
+            ((ToggleMenuFlyoutItem)sender).IsChecked = true;
         }
     }
 }

src/settings-ui/QuickAccess.UI/Services/IQuickAccessCoordinator.cs

@@ -3,7 +3,9 @@
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
+
 using ManagedCommon;
+using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library;
 
 namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.QuickAccess.Services;
 
@@ -19,10 +21,10 @@ public interface IQuickAccessCoordinator
 
     Task<bool> ShowDocumentationAsync();
 
-    void NotifyUserSettingsInteraction();
-
     bool UpdateModuleEnabled(ModuleType moduleType, bool isEnabled);
 
+    void SendSortOrderUpdate(GeneralSettings generalSettings);
+
     void ReportBug();
 
     void OnModuleLaunched(ModuleType moduleType);

src/settings-ui/QuickAccess.UI/Services/QuickAccessCoordinator.cs

@@ -55,37 +55,8 @@ internal sealed class QuickAccessCoordinator : IQuickAccessCoordinator, IDisposa
         return Task.FromResult(false);
     }
 
-    public void NotifyUserSettingsInteraction()
-    {
-        Logger.LogDebug("QuickAccessCoordinator.NotifyUserSettingsInteraction invoked.");
-    }
-
     public bool UpdateModuleEnabled(ModuleType moduleType, bool isEnabled)
-    {
+        => TrySendIpcMessage($"{{\"module_status\": {{\"{ModuleHelper.GetModuleKey(moduleType)}\": {isEnabled.ToString().ToLowerInvariant()}}}}}", "module status update");
-        GeneralSettings? updatedSettings = null;
-        lock (_generalSettingsLock)
-        {
-            var repository = SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(_settingsUtils);
-            var generalSettings = repository.SettingsConfig;
-            var current = ModuleHelper.GetIsModuleEnabled(generalSettings, moduleType);
-            if (current == isEnabled)
-            {
-                return false;
-            }
-
-            ModuleHelper.SetIsModuleEnabled(generalSettings, moduleType, isEnabled);
-            _settingsUtils.SaveSettings(generalSettings.ToJsonString());
-            Logger.LogInfo($"QuickAccess updated module '{moduleType}' enabled state to {isEnabled}.");
-            updatedSettings = generalSettings;
-        }
-
-        if (updatedSettings != null)
-        {
-            SendGeneralSettingsUpdate(updatedSettings);
-        }
-
-        return true;
-    }
 
     public void ReportBug()
     {
@@ -131,20 +102,10 @@ internal sealed class QuickAccessCoordinator : IQuickAccessCoordinator, IDisposa
         Logger.LogDebug($"QuickAccessCoordinator received IPC payload: {message}");
     }
 
-    private void SendGeneralSettingsUpdate(GeneralSettings updatedSettings)
+    public void SendSortOrderUpdate(GeneralSettings generalSettings)
     {
-        string payload;
+        var outgoing = new OutGoingGeneralSettings(generalSettings);
-        try
+        TrySendIpcMessage(outgoing.ToString(), "sort order update");
-        {
-            payload = new OutGoingGeneralSettings(updatedSettings).ToString();
-        }
-        catch (Exception ex)
-        {
-            Logger.LogError("QuickAccessCoordinator: failed to serialize general settings payload.", ex);
-            return;
-        }
-
-        TrySendIpcMessage(payload, "general settings update");
     }
 
     private bool TrySendIpcMessage(string payload, string operationDescription)

src/settings-ui/QuickAccess.UI/ViewModels/AllAppsViewModel.cs

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.QuickAccess.ViewModels;
 
 public sealed class AllAppsViewModel : Observable
 {
+    private readonly object _sortLock = new object();
     private readonly IQuickAccessCoordinator _coordinator;
     private readonly ISettingsRepository<GeneralSettings> _settingsRepository;
     private readonly SettingsUtils _settingsUtils;
@@ -30,6 +31,9 @@ public sealed class AllAppsViewModel : Observable
     private readonly List<FlyoutMenuItem> _allFlyoutMenuItems = new();
     private GeneralSettings _generalSettings;
 
+    // Flag to prevent toggle operations during sorting to avoid race conditions.
+    private bool _isSorting;
+
     public ObservableCollection<FlyoutMenuItem> FlyoutMenuItems { get; }
 
     public DashboardSortOrder DashboardSortOrder
@@ -40,9 +44,9 @@ public sealed class AllAppsViewModel : Observable
             if (_generalSettings.DashboardSortOrder != value)
             {
                 _generalSettings.DashboardSortOrder = value;
-                _settingsUtils.SaveSettings(_generalSettings.ToJsonString(), _generalSettings.GetModuleName());
+                _coordinator.SendSortOrderUpdate(_generalSettings);
                 OnPropertyChanged();
-                RefreshFlyoutMenuItems();
+                SortFlyoutMenuItems();
             }
         }
     }
@@ -54,7 +58,6 @@ public sealed class AllAppsViewModel : Observable
         _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
         _settingsRepository = SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(_settingsUtils);
         _generalSettings = _settingsRepository.SettingsConfig;
-        _generalSettings.AddEnabledModuleChangeNotification(ModuleEnabledChangedOnSettingsPage);
         _settingsRepository.SettingsChanged += OnSettingsChanged;
 
         _resourceLoader = Helpers.ResourceLoaderInstance.ResourceLoader;
@@ -87,7 +90,6 @@ public sealed class AllAppsViewModel : Observable
         _dispatcherQueue.TryEnqueue(() =>
         {
             _generalSettings = newSettings;
-            _generalSettings.AddEnabledModuleChangeNotification(ModuleEnabledChangedOnSettingsPage);
             OnPropertyChanged(nameof(DashboardSortOrder));
             RefreshFlyoutMenuItems();
         });
@@ -120,30 +122,55 @@ public sealed class AllAppsViewModel : Observable
             }
         }
 
-        var sortedItems = DashboardSortOrder switch
+        SortFlyoutMenuItems();
-        {
+    }
-            DashboardSortOrder.ByStatus => _allFlyoutMenuItems.OrderByDescending(x => x.IsEnabled).ThenBy(x => x.Label).ToList(),
-            _ => _allFlyoutMenuItems.OrderBy(x => x.Label).ToList(),
-        };
 
-        if (FlyoutMenuItems.Count == 0)
+    private void SortFlyoutMenuItems()
+    {
+        if (_isSorting)
         {
-            foreach (var item in sortedItems)
-            {
-                FlyoutMenuItems.Add(item);
-            }
-
             return;
         }
 
-        for (int i = 0; i < sortedItems.Count; i++)
+        lock (_sortLock)
         {
-            var item = sortedItems[i];
+            _isSorting = true;
-            var oldIndex = FlyoutMenuItems.IndexOf(item);
+            try
-
-            if (oldIndex != -1 && oldIndex != i)
             {
-                FlyoutMenuItems.Move(oldIndex, i);
+                var sortedItems = DashboardSortOrder switch
+                {
+                    DashboardSortOrder.ByStatus => _allFlyoutMenuItems.OrderByDescending(x => x.IsEnabled).ThenBy(x => x.Label).ToList(),
+                    _ => _allFlyoutMenuItems.OrderBy(x => x.Label).ToList(),
+                };
+
+                if (FlyoutMenuItems.Count == 0)
+                {
+                    foreach (var item in sortedItems)
+                    {
+                        FlyoutMenuItems.Add(item);
+                    }
+
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                for (int i = 0; i < sortedItems.Count; i++)
+                {
+                    var item = sortedItems[i];
+                    var oldIndex = FlyoutMenuItems.IndexOf(item);
+
+                    if (oldIndex != -1 && oldIndex != i)
+                    {
+                        FlyoutMenuItems.Move(oldIndex, i);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                // Use dispatcher to reset flag after UI updates complete
+                _dispatcherQueue.TryEnqueue(DispatcherQueuePriority.Low, () =>
+                {
+                    _isSorting = false;
+                });
             }
         }
     }
@@ -151,17 +178,17 @@ public sealed class AllAppsViewModel : Observable
     private void EnabledChangedOnUI(ModuleListItem item)
     {
         var flyoutItem = (FlyoutMenuItem)item;
-        if (_coordinator.UpdateModuleEnabled(flyoutItem.Tag, flyoutItem.IsEnabled))
+        var isEnabled = flyoutItem.IsEnabled;
+
+        // Ignore toggle operations during sorting to prevent race conditions.
+        // Revert the toggle state since UI already changed due to TwoWay binding.
+        if (_isSorting)
         {
-            _coordinator.NotifyUserSettingsInteraction();
+            flyoutItem.UpdateStatus(!isEnabled);
-
+            return;
-            // Trigger re-sort immediately when status changes on UI
-            RefreshFlyoutMenuItems();
         }
-    }
 
-    private void ModuleEnabledChangedOnSettingsPage()
+        _coordinator.UpdateModuleEnabled(flyoutItem.Tag, flyoutItem.IsEnabled);
-    {
+        SortFlyoutMenuItems();
-        RefreshFlyoutMenuItems();
     }
 }

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI.Library/Helpers/ModuleHelper.cs

@@ -117,5 +117,47 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.Helpers
                 case ModuleType.GeneralSettings: generalSettingsConfig.EnableQuickAccess = isEnabled; break;
             }
         }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Gets the module key name used in IPC messages and settings JSON.
+        /// These names match the JsonPropertyName attributes in EnabledModules class.
+        /// </summary>
+        public static string GetModuleKey(ModuleType moduleType)
+        {
+            return moduleType switch
+            {
+                ModuleType.AdvancedPaste => AdvancedPasteSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.AlwaysOnTop => AlwaysOnTopSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.Awake => AwakeSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.CmdPal => "CmdPal", // No dedicated settings class
+                ModuleType.ColorPicker => ColorPickerSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.CropAndLock => CropAndLockSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.CursorWrap => CursorWrapSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.EnvironmentVariables => EnvironmentVariablesSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.FancyZones => FancyZonesSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.FileLocksmith => FileLocksmithSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.FindMyMouse => FindMyMouseSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.Hosts => HostsSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.ImageResizer => ImageResizerSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.KeyboardManager => KeyboardManagerSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.LightSwitch => LightSwitchSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.MouseHighlighter => MouseHighlighterSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.MouseJump => MouseJumpSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.MousePointerCrosshairs => MousePointerCrosshairsSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.MouseWithoutBorders => MouseWithoutBordersSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.NewPlus => NewPlusSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.Peek => PeekSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.PowerRename => PowerRenameSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.PowerLauncher => PowerLauncherSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.PowerAccent => PowerAccentSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.RegistryPreview => RegistryPreviewSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.MeasureTool => MeasureToolSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.ShortcutGuide => ShortcutGuideSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.PowerOCR => PowerOcrSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.Workspaces => WorkspacesSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.ZoomIt => ZoomItSettings.ModuleName,
+                _ => moduleType.ToString(),
+            };
+        }
     }
 }

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/DashboardPage.xaml.cs

@@ -65,11 +65,19 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
         private void SortAlphabetical_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
         {
             ViewModel.DashboardSortOrder = DashboardSortOrder.Alphabetical;
+            if (sender is ToggleMenuFlyoutItem item)
+            {
+                item.IsChecked = true;
+            }
         }
 
         private void SortByStatus_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
         {
             ViewModel.DashboardSortOrder = DashboardSortOrder.ByStatus;
+            if (sender is ToggleMenuFlyoutItem item)
+            {
+                item.IsChecked = true;
+            }
         }
     }
 }

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/ViewModels/DashboardViewModel.cs

@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 {
     public partial class DashboardViewModel : PageViewModelBase
     {
+        private readonly object _sortLock = new object();
+
         protected override string ModuleName => "Dashboard";
 
         private Dispatcher dispatcher;
@@ -51,6 +53,9 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
         // Flag to prevent circular updates when a UI toggle triggers settings changes.
         private bool _isUpdatingFromUI;
 
+        // Flag to prevent toggle operations during sorting to avoid race conditions.
+        private bool _isSorting;
+
         private AllHotkeyConflictsData _allHotkeyConflictsData = new AllHotkeyConflictsData();
 
         public AllHotkeyConflictsData AllHotkeyConflictsData
@@ -80,15 +85,17 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
             get => generalSettingsConfig.DashboardSortOrder;
             set
             {
-                if (Set(ref _dashboardSortOrder, value))
+                if (_dashboardSortOrder != value)
                 {
+                    _dashboardSortOrder = value;
                     generalSettingsConfig.DashboardSortOrder = value;
                     OutGoingGeneralSettings outgoing = new OutGoingGeneralSettings(generalSettingsConfig);
 
-                    // Save settings to file
-                    SettingsUtils.Default.SaveSettings(generalSettingsConfig.ToJsonString());
-
                     SendConfigMSG(outgoing.ToString());
+
+                    // Notify UI before sorting so menu updates its checked state
+                    OnPropertyChanged(nameof(DashboardSortOrder));
+
                     SortModuleList();
                 }
             }
@@ -103,7 +110,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
             dispatcher = Dispatcher.CurrentDispatcher;
             _settingsRepository = settingsRepository;
             generalSettingsConfig = settingsRepository.SettingsConfig;
-            generalSettingsConfig.AddEnabledModuleChangeNotification(ModuleEnabledChangedOnSettingsPage);
+
             _settingsRepository.SettingsChanged += OnSettingsChanged;
 
             // Initialize dashboard sort order from settings
@@ -128,7 +135,14 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
             dispatcher.BeginInvoke(() =>
             {
                 generalSettingsConfig = newSettings;
-                generalSettingsConfig.AddEnabledModuleChangeNotification(ModuleEnabledChangedOnSettingsPage);
+
+                // Update local field and notify UI if sort order changed
+                if (_dashboardSortOrder != generalSettingsConfig.DashboardSortOrder)
+                {
+                    _dashboardSortOrder = generalSettingsConfig.DashboardSortOrder;
+                    OnPropertyChanged(nameof(DashboardSortOrder));
+                }
+
                 ModuleEnabledChangedOnSettingsPage();
             });
         }
@@ -198,40 +212,58 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
         /// Sorts the module list according to the current sort order and updates the AllModules collection.
         /// On first call, populates AllModules. On subsequent calls, uses Move() to reorder items in-place
         /// to avoid destroying and recreating UI elements.
+        /// Temporarily disables interaction on all items during sorting to prevent race conditions.
         /// </summary>
         private void SortModuleList()
         {
-            var sortedItems = (DashboardSortOrder switch
+            if (_isSorting)
             {
-                DashboardSortOrder.ByStatus => _moduleItems.OrderByDescending(x => x.IsEnabled).ThenBy(x => x.Label),
-                _ => _moduleItems.OrderBy(x => x.Label), // Default alphabetical
-            }).ToList();
-
-            // If AllModules is empty (first load), just populate it.
-            if (AllModules.Count == 0)
-            {
-                foreach (var item in sortedItems)
-                {
-                    AllModules.Add(item);
-                }
-
                 return;
             }
 
-            // Otherwise, update the collection in place using Move to avoid UI glitches.
+            lock (_sortLock)
-            for (int i = 0; i < sortedItems.Count; i++)
             {
-                var currentItem = sortedItems[i];
+                _isSorting = true;
-                var currentIndex = AllModules.IndexOf(currentItem);
+                try
-
-                if (currentIndex != -1 && currentIndex != i)
                 {
-                    AllModules.Move(currentIndex, i);
+                    var sortedItems = (DashboardSortOrder switch
+                    {
+                        DashboardSortOrder.ByStatus => _moduleItems.OrderByDescending(x => x.IsEnabled).ThenBy(x => x.Label),
+                        _ => _moduleItems.OrderBy(x => x.Label), // Default alphabetical
+                    }).ToList();
+
+                    // If AllModules is empty (first load), just populate it.
+                    if (AllModules.Count == 0)
+                    {
+                        foreach (var item in sortedItems)
+                        {
+                            AllModules.Add(item);
+                        }
+
+                        return;
+                    }
+
+                    // Otherwise, update the collection in place using Move to avoid UI glitches.
+                    for (int i = 0; i < sortedItems.Count; i++)
+                    {
+                        var currentItem = sortedItems[i];
+                        var currentIndex = AllModules.IndexOf(currentItem);
+
+                        if (currentIndex != -1 && currentIndex != i)
+                        {
+                            AllModules.Move(currentIndex, i);
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+                finally
+                {
+                    // Use dispatcher to reset flag after UI updates complete
+                    dispatcher.BeginInvoke(System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherPriority.Background, () =>
+                    {
+                        _isSorting = false;
+                    });
                 }
             }
-
-            // Notify that DashboardSortOrder changed so the menu updates its checked state.
-            OnPropertyChanged(nameof(DashboardSortOrder));
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -279,10 +311,25 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
             var dashboardListItem = (DashboardListItem)item;
             var isEnabled = dashboardListItem.IsEnabled;
 
+            // Ignore toggle operations during sorting to prevent race conditions.
+            // Revert the toggle state since UI already changed due to TwoWay binding.
+            if (_isSorting)
+            {
+                dashboardListItem.UpdateStatus(!isEnabled);
+                return;
+            }
+
             _isUpdatingFromUI = true;
             try
             {
-                Views.ShellPage.UpdateGeneralSettingsCallback(dashboardListItem.Tag, isEnabled);
+                // Send optimized IPC message with only the module status update
+                // Format: {"module_status": {"ModuleName": true/false}}
+                string moduleKey = ModuleHelper.GetModuleKey(dashboardListItem.Tag);
+                string moduleStatusJson = $"{{\"module_status\": {{\"{moduleKey}\": {isEnabled.ToString().ToLowerInvariant()}}}}}";
+                SendConfigMSG(moduleStatusJson);
+
+                // Update local settings config to keep UI in sync
+                ModuleHelper.SetIsModuleEnabled(generalSettingsConfig, dashboardListItem.Tag, isEnabled);
 
                 if (dashboardListItem.Tag == ModuleType.NewPlus && isEnabled == true)
                 {