After start up only wallpaper shows, no icons [Solved/Closed]

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After start up only wallpaper shows, no icons [Solved/Closed]

Challanged - Updated on Jul 5, 2017 at 04:19 AM - Latest reply: Musicollector - May 23, 2018 at 01:05 PM

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Hello,

Upon start up only my wallpaper shows. There are no icons, no task bar, no start menu, nothing, just a blank screen other than my wallpaper. When I right click just to get into the desktop, I select display and even that gets no response. Can someone please help me.

Thank you

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Matty3000 Oct 5, 2008 at 07:43 AM

338

Thank you

Hi,

I am able to get to my Regedit.

When I get as far as "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options" there is no "explorer.exe" nor is there "iexplorer.exe"!

Does anyone know where these folders/files are? I only have 2 folders in the "Image File Execution Options" namely "DIINXOptions" and "IEInstal.exe" and they have some files (.dll) in them...

Any advice would be really really appreciated. I hope all of you get your pcs up and running soon!

Chow

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prmoment - Oct 6, 2008 at 10:16 AM

Is this work for you? Set the below registry:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

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Mr.Boy1337 - Mar 29, 2010 at 07:09 PM

@prmoment,

What if you don't have Shell either? I don't have any of the three and I have the same problem as the original person.

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inspiron - Apr 17, 2010 at 10:37 AM

thanks its worked for me,,, yeahhh now I see my icons and taskbar and start menu....

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Harry - Oct 21, 2012 at 04:46 PM

Thanks this worked for me

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Command Prompt Apr 17, 2009 at 05:22 AM

105

Thank you

Hi regarding about this problem
try this method:
1. Type Regedit on the run task, then located this path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Image File Execution Option\Explorer.exe <<<--- Delete this folder if you can see this one or
2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Image File Execution Option\Your Image File Name Here without a path <<<<--- Delete this one if you cannot find the Explorer.exe
3. Restart your PC then its ok.

<<Command Prompt>>

Report Respond to lastresort

lastresort Sep 9, 2008 at 06:51 AM

60

Thank you

Just to let everyone know.... While surfing through the internet I found someone who solved this problem and has a way to fix it. There are 2 registry keys in the registry that are causing the problem. It affects the explorer.exe and iexplorer.exe files.

This is the key that needs to be deleted...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\iexplorer.exe

Once these keys are deleted the desktop and internet explorer should come back to life.

Thank you whoever found this information and I hope this will be a benefit to someone else out there.

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William_Tinou - Apr 6, 2010 at 03:32 AM

did not work for me, I went to the regedit to find the explorer.exe file but nothing and the problem still.What I did is go to Ctrl+Del / taks manager/file /new task / just type explorer.exe and everything was back to normal . William TINOU GOMA

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Nicole - Apr 10, 2010 at 03:37 AM

i can't find them I have too many files to search into in which branch is it :S
please help me ASAP

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The_Owl - Apr 14, 2010 at 12:42 AM

William TINOU GOMA .... many thanks you are the best... solved :)

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ape - Apr 26, 2010 at 07:36 PM

yay it worked thanks William Tinou Goma

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Jjye - Jul 11, 2010 at 05:54 PM

Some one Help me I try doing Ctrl+alt+delete but nothing happens im desperate to use my computer again please help me !!!!

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challanged Jul 9, 2008 at 06:16 PM

33

Thank you

Well good news for me; I have fixed the problem with my machine. After hours of reading blogs and posts and getting different suggesttions from many people I decided to do what I know. I restarted my computer, upon start up I hit F8 to get into the safe mode options. I selected start in safe mode. I then went into control panel, and did a system restore to a date from last month. Once that happened, the comp restarts itself and lo and behold everything was back to normal.

I would give this option a try.

I did many things from creating a new user account, etc etc. and nothing worked. Try the system restore and that should fix the problem.

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ryan - Dec 12, 2008 at 02:35 AM

after start up, I login, and only wallpaper appear. have tried your suggestions, F8 and nothing, tried everything, and still nothing

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daisey - Jan 18, 2009 at 06:30 PM

Challanged

Tried many things. Your safe mode start and system restore corrected problem

D

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pspfan15 - Mar 5, 2009 at 11:32 AM

thank you very much u legend

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Mines001 - Aug 31, 2009 at 04:05 PM

I must thank you!!!! this actually worked!!! I didnt expect it to, because it came off of the internet, but it did!!! Thank You!!!

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BSARMA - Dec 15, 2009 at 01:49 AM

Thak you for your quick solution. My VISTA machine had a spyware attack and srating at safe mofe (pressing F8) and then system restore with one day old image fixed the issue!

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SearingWolfe Mar 26, 2009 at 03:05 PM

27

Thank you

EVERYONE THERE IS A MUCH EASIER SOLUTION!! I found that I did not have explorer.exe in the registry, and I have the same problem. When I log on, I can only see my wall paper. Here's the solution. Do a Ctrl+Alt+Delete and look in the process tab. click image name to organize it in alphabetical order. you will see explorer.exe somewhere in there. Click it and click End Process at the bottom right. If you do not see explorer.exe then skip this step. Now click the Applications tab and you will see 3 buttons at the bottom called End Task, Switch To, and New Task. Click New Task. A small window will open up that says Create New Task. In the white bar type in explorer.exe and you will have your desktop back. Sadly, you will have to do this every time you log on, if you have a system restore point before this desktop problem, then do a system restore.

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KIM FROM OHIO - Apr 7, 2010 at 08:51 PM

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP THIS DEFINATELY WORKED! :)

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sandyp - Apr 22, 2010 at 03:02 PM

this might stop working after a few times. it is always better to figure out what process is causing this issue...

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Bob - Apr 23, 2010 at 07:51 PM

Works great xD ty

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spanishwebguy - Jun 10, 2010 at 02:45 AM

Brilliant - thanks

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mkgf - Jul 6, 2010 at 10:31 AM

thanks! that worked!

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rg Feb 26, 2010 at 01:00 PM

18

Thank you

i just had this same problem....NOTHING WORKED UNTIL--AND IT WAS SOO EZ (i too couldnt find explorer.exe, etc) I did what post 205 said..basically force a restore and ur back immed. then do the superantispyware clean. IM BACK!!!!!! AMEN. THANK YOU WHOEVER POSTED 205.

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anne Apr 1, 2010 at 10:01 AM

18

Thank you

For Windows 7:Take out the white plug at the back of your PC. (from the monitor) There's a blue and a white one on mine. Take out the white one and your icons, your taskbar and anything else you've clicked comes back! Worked for me..does anyone know why?

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MAC Aug 6, 2008 at 10:02 AM

14

Thank you

You can Ctrl - Alt - Del, and under the Applications tab click "New" and type in "explorer". This will bring up your desktop. You can then try the many suggestions that you have read about.

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jolyn - Oct 9, 2008 at 10:57 PM

Thank you so much for ur advise... first thing I tried and it worked.

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weatherdog - Jan 14, 2009 at 09:59 PM

Awesome! I messed with this all day unistalling SP3 etc and your "explorer" advice fixed it. Very much appreciated.

JWS

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MessedPC - Mar 12, 2009 at 12:19 PM

THANKS MAN IT WORKED NOW I CAN DELETE THIS STUFF ON MY COMPUTER

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ARTEM - Dec 28, 2009 at 07:27 PM

Laptop does not respond to CTRL+ALT+DEL at all. It only shows the sand watch (or whatever you call it) for one second and that's it.

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pensoc - Jan 20, 2010 at 12:21 PM

Hi there, When I cnt alt and del task manager isnt even on there !! help.
pensox

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prmoment Oct 3, 2008 at 08:08 PM

14

Thank you

replying to seymore,

my computer with the problem no taskbar, no icon, Ctl+Alt+Del disable has been solve, after reading some of the post. here's the solutions:

1. log into safe mode with command prompt.
2. in the command prompt:

to enable Task Manager, type in this in 1 line=>
REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableTaskMgr /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
to enable Registry Edit, type in this in 1 line =>
REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

3. press Ctl+Alt+Del, restart computer
4. to enable explorer autorun, go this web and read => ftp://ftp.f-secure.com/anti-virus/tools/shellfix.txt
Download the fix...=> ftp://ftp.f-secure.com/anti-virus/tools/shellfix.reg
open task manager, File > New Task (Run) > type "shellfix.reg" and press ok

5. Restart. the system should be ok.

If not... continue 1 of the below steps:

1. Repair system by download TweakUI. =>http://download.microsoft.com/...
since taskbar is disable, u have to use Ctl+Alt+Del to run "TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe ", click ok to install
Press Ctl+Alt+Del again > File > New Task > Tweakui
at left panal, choose "Repair" at the last, choose "Rebuild Icons", and click "Repair Now", click "Ok" to exit.
Restart computer.

2. Create New User Account: Press Ctl+Alt+Del, File > New Task > explorer. go to control panel > user accounts and create a new user account. Restart Computer. Log in as the new created user.

3. Use System Restore to go back to the previous days which ur computer functions well.

4. Lastly, u may download "Remove Restrictions Tool" which will solve "folder options disable" and others restrictions problems. download here =>http://www.softpedia.com/...

5. install anti-virus product. (ie. AVG, Avira)

Report Respond to Jim333c

Jim333c Jul 16, 2008 at 10:16 AM

13

Thank you

I had the same problem. It's just some stupid spyware garbage. This is a very simple fix. Just download (HiJackThis) http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10227353.html

It only took me 10 sec. to do the scan. It will ask you if you want to delete everything, I clicked yes. Just make sure that there are no other programs (including the internet) running. This just make it easier to delete the files encase there running. MAKE SURE YOU RESTART YOU COMPUTER, when it comes back on you will have you lovely computer computing for you again!!!

I understand that nothing is a guarantee, but all I see is people coming up with these crazy answers to solve this problem and their all over thinking it. It's spyware, just spyware. So try my way out its very fast and easy. Feel free to respond with any question I'll be glad to help. Good Luck!!!

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ofas - Mar 26, 2010 at 03:56 PM

i can click the link on this computer, but of course not on the computer which needs it . . . because . . . remember? the problem is that nothing will come up to allow clicking on anything.

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Gene - Mar 29, 2010 at 06:13 PM

Perfect fix ... thank you! I've been fighting with my computer for a week now. You're a life saver. The Trend-Micro-HiJackThis did the trick.

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Kate - Apr 7, 2010 at 04:28 PM

I have the same problem .. only wallpaper on screen .. no icons what-so-ever so how do I download a solution when nothing available to click on.

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Kate - Apr 7, 2010 at 04:47 PM

WOW! I just stumbled onto a very easy solution. Turned on pc when the info window appeared (system, set-up etc) just pressed enter it took a few moments, thought I oops! may have done wrong thing it was just a black screen .. then requested my password .. YEAH!! everything came back .. icons .. update windows, email the lot

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Kate - Apr 7, 2010 at 05:05 PM

turned laptop off and back on again everything still there ...

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just me Sep 30, 2008 at 10:55 PM

5

Thank you

Ok this is for those of you who can access task manager through the Ctrl-Alt-Delete. Go to the file tab, new task (Run...) and type "explorer.exe" with the quotation marks. If explorer.exe is already there end the process and restart explorer. This should get your desktop and icons back, but keep in mind this is only a temporary fix. I've done research and found that this is a spyware that hijacks your antivirus and uses it to delete files. That means that any other program won't recognize it as a problem. I have at least 10 spyware and antivirus programs, and none have found anything wrong with my computer. I stayed up all night scanning my registry and optimizing my computer until I'm at 100% with everything and that helps allot, but it only last for so long. I would suggest the newest version of Fix-It Utilities. It helps allot, but for those of you who can't access anything I can't help you. Try a system restore or format your hard-drive.

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Jay Feb 21, 2009 at 07:30 AM

5

Thank you

Hi, I found the following at a Windows XP Newsgroup at

http://www.microsoft.com/...

In short, the proposed action plan that worked for him and seems to be
working for me follows. Jay

I read many posts related to the topic and eventually did the following:

1. booted up to windows
2. ctrl+alt+del to get windows task manager
3. File, new task, typed regedit, clicked ok
4. go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current
Version\Image File Execution Options\
5. In there I had an explorer.exe folder that I deleted (you may have an
entry in the root of the Image File folder as well.. delete them also).
6. Rebooted and everything was back to normal.
7. Breathed a sigh of relief.

You can back up the explorer.exe folder (and files in the Image File
Execution Options root if applicable) by exporting them before the deletion
process.

Hopefully this thread will save many people lots of time in the future.
Thanks to everyone for their help and happy new year!
Sean

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JR - Jun 21, 2010 at 10:10 PM

Awesome. Worked Great. Thanks.

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koolc70 - Jun 27, 2010 at 02:29 PM

o man.....this shit was complicated....but thanks to all the ppl who posted advice...very helpful

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sjr - Jul 3, 2010 at 03:07 PM

were do itype it?

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lol - Jul 3, 2010 at 03:25 PM

i cant find explorer.exe

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kay - Jul 3, 2010 at 09:17 PM

My task manager doesn't load up. I tried press ctrl-alt-delete but the task manager doesn't load. Help please.

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TemperanceFixItShop Sep 10, 2008 at 11:55 AM

3

Thank you

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe

Just went into regedit and removed and I am up and working.

Koodos

That was the ticket. Thank You. Joe

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Andrew - Sep 11, 2008 at 01:48 PM

Removing the explorer.exe key from the windowsnt directory in the registry worked perfect for me as well. Windows starts fine now. Run a system scan with your spyware/virus software to make sure all is well once completed.

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avinava89

Posts: 1
Registration date: Sunday November 4, 2012
Last seen: November 3, 2012

- Nov 3, 2012 at 11:29 PM

well dis is a spy/malwre prob...
and I believe dis is d best possible solution...
TY..

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Golden Guy Sep 12, 2008 at 11:47 AM

2

Thank you

I have the solution. I spent 5 days until I found a solution to this Trojan Virus problem. Each time you boot up and click on one of your software icons ALL the icons and control bar on the bottom of the screen disappear. I tried all the leading anti-virus software and none worked. I got on a Microsoft blog site and kept seeing the same software mentioned as a solution. I used SUPERAntiSpyware 4.21 to clear the Trojan out and then Uniblue "Registry Booster 2" to fix the registry problems caused by the virus.. This Trojan virus is a very difficult virus to kill, but this SUPERAntiSpyware did the trick.

Another unrelated problem that I had on ALL of our computers that Microsoft could not solve, but our staff did.... When we installed SP3 all of our windows xp systems were stuck in a continuous boot-up loop after rebooting. Once we re-booted the system after the SP3 installation the computers were stuck on the "Windows XP graphic" on the screen with a continuous scroll bar. THE SOLUTION: Get rid of all firewire cords on external devices and replace with USB cords if the drive or components can use USB. Windows xp with Service Pack 3 will not boot up completely with firewire cords attached to the computer. Microsoft spent 3 hours trying to solve the problem and finally told me it was a driver problem with WD USB drives. This was not the case.. INCORRECT. Just remove the firewired compents... You do not need any new drivers for you hard drives.

I hope this help someone out there.

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Ant7t5 Sep 20, 2008 at 06:27 AM

2

Thank you

The reg edit worked for me, many thanks.

Also, tut tut to the response that suggested "go buy a MAc etc etc." I agree that whilst Macs may suffer from less issues than PCs, this is a forum where people are asking for help with specific problems. "Go buy a Mac" isn't the most constructive advice (isn't really helpful at all!)

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Fuckyou - Jul 13, 2010 at 02:05 PM

Macs do not suffer from less issues, there just so bad already they arent worth making viruses for.

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Scrumpychap Sep 25, 2008 at 12:59 PM

2

Thank you

Thanks, Last Resort! That registry edit did the trick and saved my bacon!

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Gez Aug 17, 2008 at 11:36 AM

1

Thank you

I've had a similar problem, if your computer is windows xp then there is a simple fix.
If your computer fails to show icons and start bar this is because windows explorer has not started for some reason or other. to simply turn this on hit "ctrl+alt+del" to bring up the task manager.

Select file in the top left corner and new task.

Type into the box "explorer" without the quotation marks and you should have your precious icons back, I would then do a scan to see if a virus has caused this.

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D - Feb 9, 2009 at 11:15 AM

HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO SAY THIS BEFORE YOU GET IT? THE EXPLORER THING CREATES AN ERROR MESSAGE, GOD ALMIGHTY, READ THE EXTENDED PROBLEMS.

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Jules - Mar 20, 2010 at 11:16 AM

I still can't get task manager to come up. I've tried everything!!! HELP!

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rhys - Mar 20, 2010 at 02:05 PM

i have same problem...., I deleted some files.. reload computer !!!!!!!!!!! and it says "select "R" at the first screen to start repair...

nothing workeeed !!!!!!!!!!11

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tanz - Mar 26, 2010 at 01:28 AM

just go to task manager(cntrl+alt+del) -1 new task
-2browse to c-windows -exporer & delete it
reeeeebooooottttt!!!!!!!!!

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andrea - May 6, 2010 at 06:37 AM

same. In my case after the login screen which seems to work fine, the task manager button is gray (can't be pushed).... is there a way to access the PC wthout the task manager and exporer starting up?
Andrea

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stonedcow Sep 24, 2008 at 04:57 AM

1

Thank you

went to regedit and deleted the following registry

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe

ran hijackthis after and found some nastys, was a variant of the XP 2008 Antivirus software
had to get spyboat and adaware also on the machine to try tidy it up otherwise it would come back
they was a twest.exe file which was making the reg entry to stop explorer running

Report Respond to morrisminor 0

morrisminor 0 Oct 2, 2008 at 04:01 PM

1

Thank you

The reedit fix is brilliant - in my case after system restores, chkdsk, safe mode fixes and checks and endless diagnostics using msconfig deleted debugger value in the right hand pane of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe
then restarted.

Thanks saved a complete rebuild on an otherwise two month old machine.

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1 2 3 4 Next

Is this work for you? Set the below registry:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"
@prmoment,

What if you don't have Shell either? I don't have any of the three and I have the same problem as the original person.
thanks its worked for me,,, yeahhh now I see my icons and taskbar and start menu....
Thanks so much!! Delete registry key really works for me.

By Alt-Ctrl-Dele on the wallpaper screen, enter "regedit" in the new task, click ok, bring you to registry window. Follow the route:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\iexplorer.exe

Great!, I am back. Really appreciate!! Alan
Thanx a lot. this "regedit" thing worked for me as well. Thaannks a lot again. I suggest this solution to everyone having similar problems. I had tried a lot of other things but only this worked
The regedit worked for me, tried HJT no joy but deleting the explorer thing in registry restored all back, Well done sir!!!
Hi there,
i try the :

By Alt-Ctrl-Dele on the wallpaper screen, enter "regedit" in the new task, click ok, bring you to registry window. Follow the route:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\iexplorer.exe

its not works,

I try Hijack this, also not working.
I try key in explorer.exe in new run command, also not working.

any idea, Pls
i read all these "fixes" and none of them worked till I got to the deleting of the reg file.. you guys rawk
Okay, so I might be really bad at this technology stuff but once you click ok the screen pops up right? And then HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe should be on the left hand side? Do you actually delete ALL the files within that folder? (HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, SECURITY, SAM, SYSTEM) I just want to be absolutely sure before I delete anything.
Hi,

Thank you for the REGEDIT info, I was looking at a system format otherwise. Worked like a charm!

thanks again, keep up the good work!

Woody
Cheers for that. Only found explorer.exe but at least now have a normal desktop.
Regards, Dave.
Brilliant! Thanks for the regedit hack. That worked on a mate's PC I was asked to look at.
so I did exactly what you said, I got all the way to "image file execution options" but there is no "explorer.exe" or "iexplorer" does anyone have any idea why they arent there?
I found something that worked at this website: http://www.vistaheads.com/...

Just use the following steps:

If the machine is clean, use this method to fix winlogon from MVP Rick
Rogers:

The shell entry may be damaged in the registry. From Task Manager, click
'new task' on the applications tab. Type regedit and click ok. Agree to the
UAC prompt, then expand the branches to reach this one:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Click on the Winlogon key, then on the right find the "shell" string. Double
click it, change the value data to read "explorer.exe" (without the quotes)
and click ok. Then close the registry editor and restart the system by
entering another new task as 'shutdown /r'.
I went into safemode, started regedit task using administrator privs, then used Wingiv's solution. Worked like a charm. I had explorer.exe C:\windows\system32\crss.exe or something else like that in the entry. I removed everything but explorer.exe and all was well again. Slick.
THANK YOU SO MUCH....THIS WORKED FOR ME!!! IT ALREADY HAD "Explorer.exe" in the value data but I changed it by making it "explorer.exe" (all small caps) and rebooted! Everything's back to normal! :)
Sweet - worked perfectly for me (however iexplorer.exe wasn't there).

Thanks very much for the fix!
Thank you soooooooo much!
I had no idea that I could go so deep into a computer and do these things myself!
I am blown away!
I had been trying everything.....just about to give up and take it into a repair place.
No telling how much $$$ this saved me!
Thank you for taking the time to share your wisdom.
Hey I am also having the same problem of no icons or anything. When I bring up the TASK MANAGER, and try to run "REGEDIT", nothing will happen... everything just freezes up and can't do anything, not even restart or log off of my account. Any idea what I can do?
thank you so much. this worked!! I didn't have an iexplorer.exe either. but deleting the explorer.exe key worked. great job!!
I did this but I still have no start icon or wallpaper. ANd now when I try CTRL-ALT-DELETE, I get the following message: Logon process has failed to create the security optons......
Failure-Security Options

Can you help please??
this was good stuff ended doing what you said, but had to also go into safe mode command prompt and running a new explorer bars loaded just fine after that. after reset and on to normal windows it all came up just fine ty for the Infor
NOT YELLING: I DO NOT SEE THOSE FILES IN THE PATH I WAS DIRECRED TO SEARCH IN THERE IS NO IEXPLORER.EXE OR EXPLORER.EXE???????????????????????????
did not work for me, I went to the regedit to find the explorer.exe file but nothing and the problem still.What I did is go to Ctrl+Del / taks manager/file /new task / just type explorer.exe and everything was back to normal . William TINOU GOMA
i can't find them I have too many files to search into in which branch is it :S
please help me ASAP
William TINOU GOMA .... many thanks you are the best... solved :)
Some one Help me I try doing Ctrl+alt+delete but nothing happens im desperate to use my computer again please help me !!!!
Dear administrators..
iam using windows vista home Edition
Upon start up only my wallpaper shows. There are no icons, no task bar, no start menu, nothing, just a blank screen .
desktop icons and start menu recent program icons dont display!. Can someone please help me.

how can I recover it
Press button alt+ctrl+Delete. then click on new task button & write in box "explorer.exe" then click on Ok Button Ur PC will be start.
I don't even see explorer.exe in Task Manager/Processes. When I typed in explorer.exe and try running it, it said that could not find/locate the file. However, the explorer.exe file is in C:\WINDOWS\

Please advise. I have tried reparing Window twice already, and have restore it to all my previous settings, but still my desktop just don't show up. Oh, I even tried using Uniblue to run registry cleanup.

Really hopeless now because I don't want to spend my whole weekends reinstalling softwares =(
I'm using Windows XP. To make a long story short, when I opened my desktop yesterday, no desktop icon appeared and there was also no START bar/menu. but my wall paper same and with only the mouse pointer (which, by the way, responds as I move the mouse ).
Oh wow, thanks bunches. The other solutions didnt really make sense to me because I they were asking me to do things when I couldnt do anything with my computer, but your solution really made some sense, and WORKS! well, the last part was a bit unclear, so, ill clarify it a bit for anyone who still has this problem. Start up your computer, and while the computer is still black and it shows you all of those numbers and stuff, press F8. Then, browse through all of the options and select starting with Safe Mode. This might take some time, so don't get discouraged. After thats done, X out of that thing that pops up, and wait for your screen to load. Then go to start -> all programs -> accesories -> system tools(im translating the option from my computer so, this might not be the exact wording) -> system restore. Then, pick a point from before you had any of this nonsense and wait for your computer to do its magic, and soon you will be free of it =D
i have same problem and I tried ur soln but in safe mode also nothing appear but black screen.if u know how to do it in safe mode with command promote pls help me
You were having a login error and I am sorry I wasn't a member a the time or else I could have helped you repair your registry/login.

Rolling back your system restore, or reverting to old settings is NOT a fix, I repeat, it is NEVER a fix. Rewinding time merely means that IF you don't repeat the same mistake (and if you never find out what the problem is, you never know the mistake to avoid) then you won't encounter a problem. It's rare that it actually solves anything permanently. Also clutters up the hard drive space. Can you say frequent defrags and hard on the hard drive?

So in the future, don't accept the old "format/system restore/rollback/reinstall" option.

There is always a better and more reliable option to permanently deal with the problem.

Have a good day!
after start up, I login, and only wallpaper appear. have tried your suggestions, F8 and nothing, tried everything, and still nothing
Challanged

Tried many things. Your safe mode start and system restore corrected problem

D
I must thank you!!!! this actually worked!!! I didnt expect it to, because it came off of the internet, but it did!!! Thank You!!!
Thak you for your quick solution. My VISTA machine had a spyware attack and srating at safe mofe (pressing F8) and then system restore with one day old image fixed the issue!
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP THIS DEFINATELY WORKED! :)
this might stop working after a few times. it is always better to figure out what process is causing this issue...
Thank you so much for ur advise... first thing I tried and it worked.
Awesome! I messed with this all day unistalling SP3 etc and your "explorer" advice fixed it. Very much appreciated.

JWS
THANKS MAN IT WORKED NOW I CAN DELETE THIS STUFF ON MY COMPUTER
Laptop does not respond to CTRL+ALT+DEL at all. It only shows the sand watch (or whatever you call it) for one second and that's it.
Hi there, When I cnt alt and del task manager isnt even on there !! help.
pensox
how can I run this spyware if no icons show up, icons dont even show up in safe mode??
press ctl + shif + esc and click on new task type in explorer

if that dont work just reinstall windows and alos I would like to know how your doing this with out a computer
your an angel!!! explorer thingy worked! But Can Some1 Tell Me What Made This Happen???? Isit Spyware?
ur an idiot first off he is using a diffrent comp and second you cant install anything without your exploere window working.
Actually, if you use ctrl alt dlt you can still use internet and heaps of other programs, it doesn't stop your computer working entirely.
I am having same prob, tried typing in "explorer" and "explorer.exe" and I get error message that "Windows cannot find 'explorer'" and I did type it correctly--any ideas?
Thank you! I typed "explorer.exe" in the box after that, and it worked! Your help is much appreciated!
Lyle
How can you download when there is no way to access the computer. After turning on the computer the screen only shows the wallpaper. I cannot access any keys.
Wow I had the same problem and Hijack fixed the problem........its was free and really fast. Thank you so much for the help!!!!!!!!!!!!, this was beggining to get real annoying.
tried your suggestion with your link to scan for spyware &...it didnt work. :( not sure now what to do. so frustrating!!! :(

any other ideas what to do???

thx! :D
dude man thanks u so much for the link of jijack I did wat u said and my computer restarted and it worked perfectly agian omg im so happy thanks I waz doing so many things but nothing would work ecept this man thank THANKS!!
Hello.. thanks for your sharing.. I am getting dizzy with this problem the whole night and now I got the solution... that little piece script really work for me !!!! now my task bar, start button, and desktop icons are back... thanks a lots for this help....
Hello.. thanks for your sharing.. I am getting dizzy with this problem the whole night and now I got the solution... that little piece exe file really work for me !!!! now my task bar, start button, and desktop icons are back... thanks a lots for this help....
hey thanx 4 ur suggestion I downloaded the software and ran it but I got a message which read "windows32 does not support this file" . is there any other suggestion?
This isnt really the answer to DELETE ALL of the entrys could cause more problems than it fixes, anti virus and anti spareware programs show up in the hijack this program, if you delete everything you could stop anti virus from running which inturn could cause you alot more pronblems.

for example I run a network and I have some scripts that run when a user logs on, if I go and delete all the entrys in the hijack this log it will cause me no end of problems so please be carefull when deleting the entrys.

DONT delete anything that looks like your anti virus software or anti spyware.
dude I tried this and it doesnt work it all started yesterday when my laptop started having pop ups of vireses
Hi Friends,

i need a one soulution that prolem because I see this problem and solved it .

1) you start your pc in safe mode or normal mode.
2) Then Use Ctrl + Alt + Del Key and ten start task menager
3) Then Go To File and then New Task and then type regedit
4) and then Go To Hiky Local Mashine/ Software / Microsoft / WindowsNT / Winlogon / and then See
right side option ( Outher Entery Type For Exp :- Taskmenand above:-( recycaler234 654365\winap32.exe )
delete That entry and then see
5) Shell :- ( Explorer.exe ) is currect entry ome Outher Entry so screp it
6) Userinit :- ( C:\windows\system32\userinit.exe, ) is currect entry ome Outher Entry so screp it
7) after checking this entry Go To Same Location in Hiky Current User and find the outher Entry Poin

8) and Then Reload Explorer.exe file same window and Userinit.exe in system32 folder and then restart the window and this srep is Usfule all Window version so thankes and regards

Shubham
Phone number removed for security
guys just use this it is simple the other guy already said it click this link!! http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10227353.html and then scan it cheack all the boxes and delete it all!!! then restart your computer and then its all good.. try it ive done it my self
the Ctrl + Alt + Del thing can do it but it will not bring back your icons and the start button.
just want to say thank you to the guy who posted it first!!! THANKS DUDE YOU THIS IS SUCH A BIG HELP!!!!
i can click the link on this computer, but of course not on the computer which needs it . . . because . . . remember? the problem is that nothing will come up to allow clicking on anything.
Perfect fix ... thank you! I've been fighting with my computer for a week now. You're a life saver. The Trend-Micro-HiJackThis did the trick.
I have the same problem .. only wallpaper on screen .. no icons what-so-ever so how do I download a solution when nothing available to click on.
WOW! I just stumbled onto a very easy solution. Turned on pc when the info window appeared (system, set-up etc) just pressed enter it took a few moments, thought I oops! may have done wrong thing it was just a black screen .. then requested my password .. YEAH!! everything came back .. icons .. update windows, email the lot
turned laptop off and back on again everything still there ...
there is also no explorer.exe folder in my registry or iexplorer folder so is there another option besides sys recovery ... also don't have a previous restore point plz help
I am having the same problem I looked up this problem on many sites and forums and have found many solutions like using ctrl+alt+del which at first was working for me now when I log on it wont even open task manager anymore I opened the regedit but found no explorer.exe nor a iexplore.exe. I also seen that it could be from deleting a spyware which changed the userinit.exe which is not my problem either. I operate a windows xp. if you can help please email me!!
That worked like a charm. I was having the same problem with Windows XP. When I booted up I would get to the desktop screen, but there were no icons. The mouse moved fine but nothing to click. When I pressed ctl-alt-del and deleted the explorer folder and rebooted everything worked fine. Thank you thank you thank you.
So much thanks to you... you are really great....i so much haapy coz I tired to format system more times
hey jay can u help me out a bit more..there is no explorer.exe folder in the image file execution options folder..if its another folder do tell me please..
SearingWolfe suggested the following for those that cannot find explorer.exe in the registry. I do not know if it works or is an appropriate solution. Good luck.

EVERYONE THERE IS A MUCH EASIER SOLUTION!! I found that I did not have explorer.exe in the registry, and I have the same problem. When I log on, I can only see my wall paper. Here's the solution. Do a Ctrl+Alt+Delete and look in the process tab. click image name to organize it in alphabetical order. you will see explorer.exe somewhere in there. Click it and click End Process at the bottom right. If you do not see explorer.exe then skip this step. Now click the Applications tab and you will see 3 buttons at the bottom called End Task, Switch To, and New Task. Click New Task. A small window will open up that says Create New Task. In the white bar type in explorer.exe and you will have your desktop back. Sadly, you will have to do this every time you log on, if you have a system restore point before this desktop problem, then do a system restore.
__________________________________________________
To reply to the message of SearingWolfe Please click on the link below:
i did everthing like you said but it gave me an error message that saids: ONLY PART OF A READPROCESSMEMORY OR WRITEPROCESSMEMORY REQUEST WAS COMPLETE. what can I do from here please help.thank you.
I just wanted to say thank you thank you sooo much I was going crazy because my computer was my life. when that happend I was realy upset and I did what you wrote and it worked thank you soo much!:)
thank you jay for the info on the fast fix for the windows xp worked great
My computer won't let me use ALT, CTRL, DEL. and it will freeze up if I try to use safe mode. I tried to reinstall windows, it freezes during the process. any ideas?
I am having the same issue...

Been cleaning viruses for two weeks now. Each time I think the viruses are gone, but they come back.

Now when I boot up, windows xp only shows the wallpaper. Booting in safe mode gives the blue screen of death. Ctrl Alt Del does not launch anything. I can't right click, left click, get into DOS, see or do anything.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance! -GG
Hello - First let me say this is a great forum. Thank you everyone who has offered advice. Unfortunately, I am having similar issues that have been reported.

When I start my Windows XP machine, I am able to login. It starts to login and then quickly logs me out. Upon the 2nd try, I can see my wallpaper with no icons, start menu, task bar, etc. Like others have reported, CTRL ALT DEL, CTRL SHIFT ESC, Function Keys, Right Clicking, etc. has no action. No matter what keys I press, I am stuck looking at my wallpaper.

I have tried to reboot in safe mode, but I receive the dreaded "blue screen of death".

FYI...I recently had several spyware viruses that I removed with McAfee, SpywareTerminator, SuperSpyware and Malware Bytes. I tried running the vundo fix and the Sricam fix, but neither found any issues. I ended up needing to clean my registry because at the time, none of my executables worked. 2 days after resolving all of that mess, this new issue started. I'm guessing it is also virus related.

I don't have the ability to download anything or access the registry, so I am afraid that nothing I have read on-line thus far will help me.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I would really prefer not to reload XP, as I don't have my original MS Office install CD anymore.

I'm sure you are sick of replying to this thread and I appologize if I am overlooking the answer that will help my particular situation. I would appreciate any help that can be provided. Thank you for your support! **
Please help!!!!

cant access my task manager and the screen is blank except the wallpaper.
Hello

I have read this whole blog, and at first Crl, alt, del wasn't working, I finally got task manager to come up, and then tried starting new task "explorer" and explorer.exe and nothing is happening. I also tried the regedit idea and nothing came up. Is there anything else I could try?

Please help.
Thanks
A friend's laptop experienced the problem with no icons after starting up with her desktop wallpaper. I tried all the different solutions here and none worked. Got to Ctrl-Alt-Del bringing up the task manager and tried most if not all the solutions and nothing worked.

What finally worked for me, not sure if will work for others but I used the new task to run bring up a command prompt. Type cmd in the run field. In the cmd prompt went to c:\Windows, found the Explorer.exe file and deleted it. Figured if I was already to the point of giving up and just reformatting and reinstalling Windows XP, would do something harebrained. Anyway, after deleting the Explorer.exe, I went back to the run command and typed explorer. Using del Explorer.exe in the command window.

The screen at first brought up the System Restore but it had no restore points it could use, then after closing the System Restore screen, the icons started back up. I've restarted the system and it boots up fine. Only thing I can guess at is that the Explorer file was either corrupted or whatever and the system replaced it.

May work for those that get the explorer error message or not.
When I do the ctrl+alt+delte thing it just opens the file nothing else.
That was truly amazing, thank you so much. 10 seconds to fix it and hours and days sitting here trying to figure it out. Thanks again.
I did what you said but an error came up saying

explorer.exe - bad image
the application or DLL C:\WINDOWS\system32\UxTheme.dll is not a valid Windows image. Please check this against your installation diskette.

I don't know what to do PLEASE can anyone help me
You seem to be the life saver on here so I hope you can help. Last time I was able to open my computer I had a trojanSP/LX (?) virus. I'd run scans with McAfee and they finally showed that they saw this virus & wanted to restart my computer & run a scan. Once it was restarted I only had my wallpaper. I did a hard boot and then the same thing, only the walpaper. I tried cnt,alt, delete but it originally said that my task manager had been disabled by the manager or something. I kept trying and now that doesn't do anything. We've hit F8 and tried opening in so many ways, safe mode, last known configuration that worked, & I don't even know what else. Nothing works. I really don't want to pay Best Buy 200.00 that we don't have to fix my computer but I'm starting to lose my mind & dont' know what else to do. I'm not good wiht computers, I can navigate the internet & do all sorts of computer programs but when it comes to problems with a computer I'm a total idiot!! My husband's a little better off than me but he can't figure it out either. Help me!!! Please
Jewels,

My take on this and recent experience is in message 225. If you can't even open Task Manager with ctrl-alt-del then it looks like another variation of this problem. Before giving any advice I would need to know your level of expertise, no point in telling you change the first boot device in your BIOS to the CD or DVD drive if you don't know how to get into the BIOS etc. Sent me a PM and I might be able to help.
DEAR FRIENDS I FACED THIS PROBLEM & I FOUND A PERFECT SOLUTION JUST CONSIDERING VIRUS IS THE ONLY REASON OF THIS PROBLEM AND ONLY SOLUTION IS TO RESTORE WHICH CAN SIMPLY BE DONE BY CLICKING CT-ALT-DL AND IN NEW TASK BAR JUST WRITE msconfig WHERE U GET THE OPTION OF RESTORE JUST DO THE RESTORE AND RUN A GOOD ANTI VIRUSE AFTER RESTORING AND DELETE NEW RECENT DOWNLOADED SUSPICIOUS DATA ...CHEERS
That would be all well and good but when I did that it told me that system restore had been disabled by the administrative group, whatever that is. Also it said I did not have administrative privileges to make changes and I am the only one on this computer. I couldn't figure out how to log in as administrator when there is nothing on my deskktop. Calgon take me away !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn't have an explorer file either, so I deleted the entire Image_File_Execution_Options key. Worked like a charm for me, your mileage may vary.
Good Luck!
everything was understood until you got to "had an explorer.exe file in folder that you deleted". If you deleted it , how can you see it? and what is an entry in root of image file?
After I click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE under name it said defaul type: REG_SZ Date: Not set what do I do after this
I did everything you suggested, but when I got to "current version" I had no Image file execution options to choose from.....
Thank you Jay for the fix. I went to regedit, and followed the steps. Deleted explorer.exe file, restarted and all my icons, toolbar, and start menu appeared.
Hi, Your previous email said you could not found image... folder. I could not find it either. How do you fix the problem? Did you find the folder at different ways. Many thanks! Norman
Jay you rock!!! Hours of research and unsuccessful solutions ... and your solution was easy and worked perfectly!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Thank you very much for the information. I have tried to overcome this problem for a week, and I tried almost everything which did not solve the problem. Now I got the problem solve . Thanks again.
hey,wen I m typing explorer.exe as u said den its showing me a microsoft problem.wat to do?? pls help fast..
I am also having the problem of no icons on the desktop except for the background wall paper. I thought your answer would work, when I typed regedit in the new task it brings up a new window saying windows can not open this file. What do u want to do ? use the web service to find the appropriate program or select from the program list.
Any help would be appreciated.
Hey Jay, Thank you very much...it worked..after 4 hours of reading blogs,this finally worked. Anyone looking to fix this problem try this it worked for me.....and I can't say this enough...THANK YOU JAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A slightly scary approach (deleting bits out of the registry???) but worked perfectly.

Thanks!!
Thanks for the advice...worked like a charm...I was close to giving up on this computer...thanks for the wisdom

B
hi I dnt have explorer
can you help me strill find my toolbar
hey mate. you could try the given solution by known-fix
http://known-fix.com/fix=missing%20desktop%20icon%20issue

wish you a good luck!
in image file execution folder I dint find explorer.exe file wat to do??
Jay, you have saved me so much time with this how to fix, my PC is back to normal! I had to re-image it some time before, because of a spyware issue, but this trick I did not know. THANK YOU!!!
Jay,hey thank u very much from three days I got so much tensed of my pc then I did the steps mentioned that have been mentioned above once again THANK YOU
u did not mentioned how to fix I am saying (hey everyone the posted fix works, you have to go to safe mode in order to do it though.

system boot press f8. Then do the steps mentioned.)
you delete ALL the files in the image file execution options????????
o man.....this shit was complicated....but thanks to all the ppl who posted advice...very helpful
My task manager doesn't load up. I tried press ctrl-alt-delete but the task manager doesn't load. Help please.
Removing the explorer.exe key from the windowsnt directory in the registry worked perfect for me as well. Windows starts fine now. Run a system scan with your spyware/virus software to make sure all is well once completed.
well dis is a spy/malwre prob...
and I believe dis is d best possible solution...
TY..
Macs do not suffer from less issues, there just so bad already they arent worth making viruses for.
Ctrl+Alt+Delete does nothing for me. nothing shows up. Safe modejust shows a black screen. Anyone have any ideas??
i tried but no result. When type Explorer in new task box then answered "Make sure the type in box" if wnat to search then click the start menu and then search.
just for alll those people who say ctrl+alt+del doesn't work do this to alternately pull up task manager ctrl+shift+esc
then try new task explorer.exe
Hello....I Found your answer to a problem that I am having and tried it a few times and nothings seems to be working.
Do you have any other advise, I am about to throw my computer out the window....just kidding but I am very frustrated now. Been sitting here for about 5 hrs and nothing seems to work.
HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO SAY THIS BEFORE YOU GET IT? THE EXPLORER THING CREATES AN ERROR MESSAGE, GOD ALMIGHTY, READ THE EXTENDED PROBLEMS.
I still can't get task manager to come up. I've tried everything!!! HELP!
i have same problem...., I deleted some files.. reload computer !!!!!!!!!!! and it says "select "R" at the first screen to start repair...

nothing workeeed !!!!!!!!!!11
just go to task manager(cntrl+alt+del) -1 new task
-2browse to c-windows -exporer & delete it
reeeeebooooottttt!!!!!!!!!
same. In my case after the login screen which seems to work fine, the task manager button is gray (can't be pushed).... is there a way to access the PC wthout the task manager and exporer starting up?
Andrea

merr · Accepted Answer · 2008-09-03T21:52:06-0400

Best answer

approved by Jean-François Pillou

Report Respond to merr

merr Updated on Nov 26, 2018 at 12:01 PM

360

Thank you

CTL+ALT+DEL then click file and new task. then type

explorer.exe

and press ok

Say "Thank you" 360

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BSNL - Sep 9, 2017 at 01:56 AM

Many Thanks

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Ron - Nov 6, 2017 at 10:15 AM

Thank you!

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rahul - Jan 5, 2018 at 09:04 AM

I too had this kind of prob...
while ON ur lap press crtl+shft+del
this finally moves to refresh the full system. it will not erase any data from ur lap.
try this it works for me... hope this will work for u too

i suggest not to shut down without closing the file or anything....so only i got such problem

Report

Maddy - Feb 9, 2018 at 12:15 AM

Thanks a ton !
Helped many of us having the same problem.

Report Respond to Musicollector

Musicollector - May 23, 2018 at 01:05 PM

Great! It worked! THANKS!

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After start up only wallpaper shows, no icons [Solved/Closed]

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