The handle on my UPVC window is just turning and sounds a bit like a ratchet grabbing and slipping , I thought it was the handle but it looks like its the mechanism inside the window just spinning round , how do I open the window to repair it ?

A few methods could used but need more info.Whereabouts is it ? Is it accessible from outside for example ? Can you deglaze a window if required ?

Its one of the upstairs bedroom windows , its only the small top push out window , It could be deglazed from the inside

Most windows can be deglazed from inside but can you deglaze one ? No point in me saying deglaze and do xyz if its out of your skills range.

How tricky is it to do this?
My sister-in-law has a bathroom window with the same problem.

Is it easy to tell which types can or can't be de-glazed from the inside?

_________________
If at first you don't succeed - remove all evidence that you tried.

Thinking about this - wouldn't it be easier to drill out the lock on the handle in order to get to the spag?

_________________
If at first you don't succeed - remove all evidence that you tried.

The part that has failed is independent of the handle so by drilling the lock out on the handle means you ruin a perfectly good handle for no reason.
If you deglaze the window you can drill through and maniuplate the slider back.

If the spag is shot then yes, this would be a waste - but it the handle lock is faulty / spindle rounded out causing the jam it would work.

_________________
If at first you don't succeed - remove all evidence that you tried.

Is this conflict of opinion helping the OP?...Seeing as he/she hasn't made any comment for a few days now, perhaps he/she has given up on getting any sound advice...

_________________
By eck! ©

Probably - but it would be nice if anyone searching for a similar solution in the future finds a thread with answers / suggestions.

_________________
If at first you don't succeed - remove all evidence that you tried.

The spindles never round out as the part on the espag they interact with is always made from a cheap alloy that disintergrates hence the grinding noises.
Its pretty much the same thing that happens on door mechs when the door is out of alignment and the mech has to try and overcome all the friction thats created.They just give up at the weak alloy part everytime.You get the odd ones that have brass parts but very very few and far between.

Odd. Although I've only done a few dozen of these I'd say it's half and half spag and spindle wearing.

If the replacement handles supplied by toolstation are anything to go by, the spindles are made of something just slightly stronger than marzipan.

_________________
If at first you don't succeed - remove all evidence that you tried.

If you have done a few why do you ask in an earlier post for advice on how to do it ? You only have to look at a locking handle spindle to tell it is much stronger than the espag mech itself, never seen a locking handle with marzipan type metal only locking mechs.

I didn't.

I was asking about deglazing a unit.

If the spindle / spag is rounded out you can usually access it, but if the lock has jammed and you can't get the handle to move then I wondered how easy it was to deglaze.

_________________
If at first you don't succeed - remove all evidence that you tried.

Ive still no luck getting the window open.