After start up only wallpaper shows, no icons Solved

Question

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 youSystem Configuration: Windows XP
Internet Explorer 6.0

merr · Accepted Answer

CTL+ALT+DEL then click file and new task. then type explorer.exe and press ok

challanged · Answer

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.

Jim333c · Answer

I had the same problem. It's just some stupid spyware garbage. This is a very simple fix. Just download (HiJackThis) https://download.cnet.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!!!

MAC · Answer

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.

Gez · Answer

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.

eddy · Answer

Hi m8s,
First I would like to express my deepest gratitude for those of you who are finding time to help poor bums like me.

With that said, I would like to somewhat expend the domain of the problem;

There are three user accounts on my machine. I was able to get to the "wall paper & no icons" by logging into the one of the secondary (no admin privileges) accounts, but every time I try to login into the main account, my machine freezes. Additionally, task manager would not start any new process, not even explorer.

To make things funnier, it is an old laptop with a DVD drive that is out of commission, so I cannot even reinstall the OS. I already see my hard drive in a nice little enclosure so that I can salvage at least some of the data (I hope). 

As a final thought, after researching this and other forums, I am pretty damn sure that it is some nasty malware creating the havoc.

lillies · Answer

Hi, I'm having the same problem--only wallpaper, no icons, start or task bar.
So I ctl-alt-dlt ed and I can get the task manager up and running.  However, I try running explorer.exe, and I get "Windows cannot find 'C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe'" etc. I even try to browse for it, find it, and run it but same result. I would appreciate any help!  Thanks!

lastresort · Answer

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.

TemperanceFixItShop · Answer

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

Golden Guy · Answer

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.

Ant7t5 · Answer

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!)

stonedcow · Answer

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

angel91 · Answer

thanks a lot people.,you saved my life!!!!

Scrumpychap · Answer

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

just me · Answer

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.

morrisminor 0 · Answer

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.

prmoment · Answer

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/download/f/c/a/fca6767b-9ed9-45a6-b352-839afb2a2679/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe 
    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 =>https://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Security-Related/RRT-Remove-Ristrictions-Tool.shtml

5. install anti-virus product. (ie. AVG, Avira)

Matty3000 · Answer

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

Ecke · Answer

registry keys deleted and i'm back up and running.

Thank you guys so much.

you really saved my life.

i have a presentation in about 3 hours and I almost saw me crying.

Ecke · Answer

you guys are live savers.

i deleted the regisrty key and now i'm back up and running.

i already saw me going down the drain on my sales presentation in 3 hours.

mns · Answer

Thank you so much. After trying all different method the regedit method worked for me perfectly. I have got all the icons back and it is working fine.

Thank you very much for this forum.

Musy_Trini · Answer

Situation I had

I turned on my computer and a message about explorer having problems came up after that the problem began... all the icons went away , and even though I tryed loging in as a diff user and turning off/on , restarting, etc nothing seemed to work. 

I found this page and followed this advice i'm descriving below (which I got from some one here :) ) (thank you so much) hoping that if someone have the same problem they can get help.


At first I saw the "download a free spyware thing" but I usually dont trust those...anyways they are gonna do what I did manually and then stay in your computer. Who knows how "good" or "bad" are they anyways. 

Well.... once I restarted my computer and while the machine was in the process of doing so I pressed F8 and ran windows in save mode, then press ctrl shift delete to get task manager and then the following:


solution that worked for me: (from the ones listed here)

Alt-Ctrl-Dele 
File>New Task
type in: regedit
this will bring up the registry window
Follow the route: 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe 

ONce I did that I saw two items and I was able to erase one of them. the other one I was not. but after I finished my machined worked , then I restarted it again and it was running as usual. at some point you are asked if you want to reset it some days back to which you say yes.

Shka · Answer

HijackThis downloaded after using the registry, but whenever I try to open it and install it after download, I'll click HJTInstall.exe and it will come up asking me if I would like to run it. When I click "Run" the window goes away and nothing happens. Any alternatives to opening the installer?

numbersinthedark · Answer

I have the same problem as dead leaves:

"same here...i got into my reg. and those 2 files everyone has been saying are there are not there.

i went and did the other thing where they said change the value of the shell to explorer.exe and I found it already had that value..."

Furthermore, when use control+alt+delete I am able to pull up the task manager, however, when I start a new task called [explorer.exe], I see my task bar appear for half a second and then disappear again in a flash.

I received a message earlier that some files that Windows needs to run were missing/damaged, so I ran the repair install from my windows xp home CD.

I have also downloaded and installed several virus programs and run them.  They did find a delete several viruses and trojans, but I still have the same problem.

This virus is also blocking some of the major antivirus/antispyware websites I have been visiting, however, I have been able to download them via download.com, since that website does not seem to be blocked.

When I do install several of the antivirus applications, the virus does not allow me to download updated definition files.

This is one smart virus!  Has anyone found a solution for those who are missing explorer.exe and iexplorer.exe from their registry?  As mentioned before, I have already tried renaming the shell value to explorer.exe.

Thank you!

Perro · Answer

Jim333c, on Wednesday July 16, 2008 03:16:42 PM
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_4-1Â­0227353.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!!!









The above is what Jim333c wrote, I followed his advise and it works, not just in one laptop but two, with two different problems.
My laptop had a black screen but I could see the mouse, my co-worker couldn't turn off or restart his, we installed and ran the program, delete some files that the program recommended and bingo, both laptops were back in business.

Saludos and thanks Jim
Perro (Roo)

Invader05 · Answer

i just fixed this recently...download trend micro hijackthis...

https://download.cnet.com/Trend-Micro-HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10227353.html

scan and then check anything that looks weird and have it fixed. :D

this worked for me and I tried everything else :D

DEKI · Answer

OH! Finally! after all the "fixes" i'we been read here, (i'we been doing all the regedit stuff nad Hijackthis stuff and nothing help..)  , the solution is very simple.... I just copy file "expolorer.exe" from ok comp and paste in same place on problem comp and restart him!  after restart everything is ok!

Jay · Answer

Hi,  I found the following at a Windows XP Newsgroup at

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroups/reader.mspx?query=no+icons&dg=microsoft.public.windowsxp.general&cat=en-us-ms-winxp&lang=en&cr=US&pt=&catlist=B0DE109D-10E1-4C3C-BCC9-8EB7A22FC6A0&dglist=&ptlist=&exp=&sloc=en-us

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

Aspyre · Answer

Hey there!

I had this problem about 2 days ago, and I tried many stuff that people wrote on this forum. I tried that thing with ctrl (hold it till it starts up); then the deleting of they hkey user keys and everything, even system restore didn't work. But I found a way to do it, by following an advice from a person from this forum (thank you very much...you gave me an idea xD hehe) and I will also give a few pointers and ideas on good defense if people don't mind that is :)

So, as I said before, none of those above solutions did actually work. However, one of the other ones did. The things is: If you have two computers, use your usb stick and get 'explorer.exe' from your other pc (location: C:/Windows/explorer (take both of the explorers you find in there just to make sure ;D) and then just start up your other pc. While starting it up at the start when there is only black background and white letters hit 'F8' to bring up the menu with safe mood. Choose 'safe mood' and wait for it to boot up. (Might take some time). Log in as administrator. Then, when you get the black background with white letters 'safe mood' in corners, make key combination 'ctrl+alt+del' to bring up the task menager. Then, open your usb stick ( attention here! Your pc is very much damaged so it cant open the usb stick as it usually does - automatically- ) So, to open it, go to task menager -> new task -> browse -> find your usb stick in my computer, right click-select it (to open it) then right-click - copy on explorer; close that; again - new task- browse- (C: Windows) when in windows,  paste the explorer. Close that window. Then, go 'new task' in task menager and type in 'explorer' or 'explorer.exe'. It should bring back your taskbar, start button & icons. However, many programs should be damaged, because this is a virus (Trojan) which affects and corrupts (worst case: destroys) exe files. Many of them are connected to your system working properly like for example, explorer. 

So yeah, after you get your normal desktop up, I suggest you download superanti spyware or spybot (chose one of those...not both! it might make conflicts in your pc) & malware bytes anti-malware to get rid of any malwares, spywares, threats & trackers (I suggest superanti spyware & anti malware because spybot cannot remove some pops like those from zwinky). Works wonders. Oh, also get a new anti-virus, it can be some free one like AVG or take Avast home edition with license for 1 year. They are okay, heck, since no anti-virus program can prevent all of the viruses getting in your computer, because new viruses are out all the time. Sadly. 

Easiest way to get a virus:

Piece of advice:  If you think hacking is just getting files from serials.ws...then you're wrong. Warez or any other site; be coutious that you don't get a zip file from there; it's trojan, aha. And even if you take some free trial of a program from net and then find some license key and then it says that you have license on the program and you go all 'YAY I have a new free program! I didnt even have to pay for it!! Woot <- then you're hella lot wrong. You see, every 'free' program on net has a catch with it. Some carry trackers, some cookies, some viruses, some worms and the worst case is that they have backdoors all in all. So let's say, be careful about what you get from net. There is no 'free stuff' on net. Okay, there might be pictures, some documents & downloading videos from youtube, but hey, I mean other stuff then that. Also, hate to say this, but zwinky and mywebsearch they ask you to install on internet explorer is a virus. Aka TrojanAgent and some pretty nice lil Pups and so and so. Lovely. 

After some time of researching, I have found out that this type of defense is quite good and keeps the bad stuff (viruses, trackers, worms) away. See if you like.


1. Get everything from the list down there from net on your desktop.
2. Turn off your net.
3. Delete all your cleaners, antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-malwere or something...whatever and whichever program that IS HACKED. (By hacked I mean that you used keygen on it; or typed in license from some site or so)
4. restart
5. install all of  these new programs, set them up and update
6. just chat on msn (msn...wooot!) and you can scan with those in background :]

1.Bittdefender 2009 anti-virus  https://www.bitdefender.com/Downloads/   
Use this 30-days trial because in first month; it will remove all of your old viruses and can help alot). When it expires I suggest you download Avast Home 1 year licensed. It's ok anti-virus and even I use it. Yups.

2.Filseclab Personal Firewall - https://download.cnet.com/Filseclab-Personal-Firewall-Professional-Edition/3000-10435_4-10421597.html?part=dl-Filseclab&subj=dl&tag=button&cdlPid=10421598
(Free personal firewall, might annoy you sometimes with all 'allow, grant as rule and stuff' but it's really good and blocks many dangerous things. Also, to get it working, you should turn off windows firewall.

3. Spyware Blaster- https://download.cnet.com/SpywareBlaster/3000-8022_4-10196637.html?tag=mncol
Spyware blaster is not a 'cleaner'. It's just a program that prevents spywares from getting into your pc. Just tick all the options you want in it and update once in a while and then simply forget about it xD

4.Spybot search&destroy-THE program for spyware- https://download.cnet.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy-for-Windows-XP/3000-8022_4-10122137.html?tag=mncol
As it's name says, for removing spywares. Good tool. (When installing, don't thick that tea timer stuff, it's not needed and it's annoying).

5. A-squared free - 
https://download.cnet.com/s/a-squared-free/
Protects your pc from many tarcakers and cookies, also with it you have a great defense on Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. Opera not implied. Sorreh.

6. Anti-malware - https://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes/3000-8022_4-10804572.html
Cleans any bad stuff that is left. Also, removes anything that you cannot remove with other programs.

7. Eusing registry cleaner - https://download.cnet.com/Eusing-Free-Registry-Cleaner/3000-2094_4-10521691.html?tag=mncol
A little tool to take care of your registry sometimes. Repairs any invalid registry or so and just keep it up to date. He.

~ All of these are 'free' and no, by 'free' I mean really free, no backdoors xD They are not licensed so they can help. Yup.

Okay, so after you do this all, just scan sometimes. Like, make a folder on your desktop with all icons of these programs and just scan with all of them whenever ya want ;D It should make a good defense shield and none of these progarms have conflicts with one another. 
So it won't be all that bad, eh? But if you feel that the idea is not safe, fine by me. Your choice.

Hope it helped,

Aspyre

unknow user · Answer

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.

onlinealias12 · Answer

I pretty much have the same problem, except worse. In addition to only a wallpaper, no start menu, and no icons, when I press ctrl+alt+delete, I get the message "Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator." To make things worse, there is the "svchost.exe - Application Error" that pops up. And lastly, Safe Mode will be blank as well (Task Manager seems to be disabled there too). I do, however, have access to a command prompt via mini Windows 98 system located in one of the RAM drives. I figure the easiest course of action would be to remove the option to disable Task Manager and go from there, although I don't exactly know how to do this. I gather the command would need to include specifications concerning which drive the file is located. Any advice would be appreciated.

morgan-_- · Answer

Hey guys ive read all your comments but when I do cntrl alt delete it doesnt do anythng just stays blank--the reason my computer did this .. I unlugged it while it was running by acsedent...if anyone can help me please email me (monkeyman009@hotmail.com) please I need hepl im 15 and I dont have the money to get it repaired -- I also did f8 and I did a scan but didnt do anything :P please helpl me out im in dire need lol thanks

Guy from Quebec · Answer

Have the same problem on my computer and it works like a charm
Save a LOT of time

Many Thanks

Guy

tonebone · Answer

i had wallpaper but no icons or or anything.....just my fall trees wallpaper. I did control-alt-delete. That brought up the task manager. I clicked on File......then new task run. I simply typed in desktop....bam....it brought all the icons back. It still doesn't bring them up after a restart,but I use the task manager to bring them back up to keep fighting whatever is doing all this.

SearingWolfe · Answer

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.

rozie · Answer

I had the same problem..
I tried everything..
the most common one was the

ctrl+alt+delete
-file-new task-explorer.exe

that didn't work..
I tried rebooting as well..no good done..
I scanned my comp. and it found lots of viruses..

Scan your comp. first then do this..

UNPLUG the main power source but make sure your comp. is off first..
wait for 20 mins then plug it back..

What I did was I unplugged everything in the tower..also the power source plug then I waited..
I restarted my comp. and BAM! everything is back to normal....

:P hope it helped

Command Prompt · Answer

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>>

Mahipar · Answer

I have the same problem where upon startup only my wallpaper is visible. Using CTRL-ALT-DEL I am able to open the task manager but when I try to type in explorer.exe, explorer, regedit, iexplorer, and iexplorer.exe then click ok I always get a message saying that the file could not be found. In the proccess tab of the task manager there is no entry titled explorer or any varient of it. 

I have also noticed that I am no longer able to boot into safemode. When holding down F8 during startup a very annoying beeping will start even though the computer is supposedly on mute. 

Any help would be appreciated as this is really starting to drive me crazy, thanks in advance.

dan · Answer

Hi I had the same problem to but nothing worked as mention in all the posts until I instaled internet explorer 8.:)

veerag · Answer

i too had the same problem. 
i tried typing  "explorer" in the task, no use
then tried the regedit method and tried to delete the explorer item but can't find it
then

the real method which worked on my lappy is to 
ctrl+alt+del ----> new task----> then browse for the explrer icon in the windows directory. rename it to some other name. 

And it worked fine. all my icons and cursors came up
then with my spyware and Malwarebyte's antomalware did the trick later

try it

scorpion · Answer

Go to CTRL, ALT+DEL (Task Manager) choose file and then click new task (RUN) type In the Open box,  appwiz.cpl, and then click OK. It may take several seconds for your computer to compile a list of programs.
Scroll down through the list and click Windows Internet Explorer 7, and then click Remove later it requires restart of your Computer.

Simple method to follow :)

Massacyre · Answer

Open task manager and click new task. Type explorer.exe and it should all appear. Sorry AzNbOiYu

foxfour · Answer

This is my experience with this problem and let me start by saying that I don't think there is one cause and one universal fix. I tried all the stuff from earlier in this discussion about registry fixes etc and it didn't work.

The major problem I had was that if I tried to install or run any of the programs like HijackThis or antiMalwareBytes the virus would kill the program. System Restore wouldn't work either because the virus had turned this off and so all the restore points were lost. On top of that if I tried to delete or replace any of the files I thought were infected the computer wouldn't let me. What saved the day for me was the fact that some time ago I made a Bart PE disk which lets you boot into a Windows type environment from a CD. Booting from this disk I was able to replace Explorer.exe with a known good one from another computer. This brought back the desktop icons but not for long because they disappeared again shortly afterwards and the virus had changed the Explorer.exe file back to an infected one. 

I downloaded the Sophos anti rootkit on a good machine and put it on a USB disk. I was able to run this program from the USB disk on the infected computer after booting from the Bart PE disk. The Sophos anti rootkit also detected the following files in the Windows/System32 folder as being infected - svchost.exe, dumprep.exe, mrt.exe, igfxtray.exe, hkcmd.exe, eventlog.dll plus of course explorer.exe which is in the Windows folder. I then deleted all the files marked as infected and replaced them all with files from a known good machine, except the igfxtray.exe which I couldn't find. I should point out that earlier I had used ctrl+alt+del to bring up Task Manager and Run msconfig and disabled all the programs that run at startup. No point clearing crap out of a machine to have it re-activated as soon as the computer re-boots. 

Anyway after having replaced the dodgy files with good ones and re-booted the infected machine came back up OK. I was able to install AVG Free (downloaded on another PC) which found and removed a whole load more crap. Finally I was able to run msconfig again and re-enable all the startup items.

I know that many of you reading this won't have a Bart PE disk and it's not the easiest thing to make but it's well worth the effort if you do a lot of helping people with their computers. I don't want this to seem like a rant but with so many free anti-virus and anti-malware products available these days there's no excuse for a lot of these infections.

Mouds · Answer

THE REAL Simple & Effective & NOT-harmful DEAL (after going through most answers):

"Right Click on desktop > Properties > Themes Tab then in the drop down box restore it to the original "Windows XP" theme then apply, then back to they way you want it with your own picture and it worked properly for me this time."

IT WORKS!

nicknam · Answer

thank you soo much you saved my computer

shikhs · Answer

hey..thanks all...task manager thing slves my problem...

san · Answer

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

leebaby · Answer

Basically I'm having this same problem, no desktop, start button or anything.]

The reason for this is a spyware product called Virus Protector. It's completely ruining my computer and it's just a scam to take your money. I can't use Ctrl+Alt+Del nor any other variations because the program has taken away the administration rights to use this (Does anyone know a way to get them back so I can try some other solutions?) 

Starting in safe mode doesn't help, because nothing changes, my desktop is still not there and I can't get into any other programs!

I'm completely lost and I have no idea how to fix my problem. Can anyone suggest anything new that doesn't involve what's already been stated about Ctrl+Alt+Del and using safe mode. Even the links that have been provided aren't working. 

Please help!

rg · Answer

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.

eqtaft · Answer

OK, I've been wrestling with this problem for days.  

If I boot into XP, I get just my wallpaper.  In safe mode, just a black screen.  In either case, I can hit ctl-alt-del to bring up the task manager.  I select new task, and get the text box.  At this point, it seems it doesn't matter what I type in -- absolutely nothing happens.  I've tried "explorer" and "explorer.exe" as well as "regedit" and I get nothing. No result, no error message.  Explorer is not running in the Processes box.  I've replaced explorer.exe with a fresh copy of the file direct from my XP CD (copied in DOS mode) and nothing.  I've also gone through the process of a BOOTCFG /REBUILD and FIXBOOT -- no help.  

Any further suggestions?  I'm pretty well stymied at this point.

dharmu · Answer

al+ctrl+delete press in task manager new task and write exlorer.exe enter u screen icon will come back

n@ts · Answer

so what would be  the cause of this when icon do not show and only wallpaper?

anne · Answer

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?

papabear · Answer

I have this problem , and when I press right click , the info came up saying my task manger has been disabled by the administrator...what do I do now.i can't even operate safe mode , because when I go into it it will n ot allow me to cursor anywhere

Freery · Answer

Hi im freery , 
try this out!!!
Start task manager
(press ctrl+alt+del)
then it sould had your taskbar and icons 
 
then 
1. At the taskbar, select Start|Run.
2. Type
MSIEXEC /UNREGISTER
3. Then type
MSIEXEC /REGSERVER

it sould solve your ploblem ,
then open up your antivirus,
then scan for virus|spy

                                Thanks , Freery

win · Answer

hi folks,

just simply press CTRL+ALT+DEL
select File and click NEW TASK on windows task manager window
in a dialog box, type C: and click OK

GOOD LUCK!

Suki · Answer

Thank you Scorpion,It worked!!!!

saudmv · Answer

how can change time format 24 to 12 bcoz taskbar showing 24 hr and time properties show ed 12 hre

Suk_IT · Answer

I was having this issue, but was able to run explorer in safe mode. I tried "fixing" the registry, replacing the shdocvw.dll and userinit.exe files in %sytemroot%\system32 and explorer.exe in %sytemroot%. I did this several times through several means.

For fear of giving the pleasure to some scriptkiddie for acknowledging a successful take down of my system, I'm not going to say which virus did it. However, I will say that it was a nasty little bastard. It took a lot to fix, but I did so through the following.

1. Remove the hard drive and slave it to another system. Run a virus scan on the hard drive and clean the infected file(s).
--The virus had successfully taken down my antivirus.

2. Run a full system repair from the XP installer disc. 
--It took time to do, but nothing else would work.

3. Update your antivirus and scan the drive again locally.


Now that I've done all that, everything is back to normal except one thing; my internet connection. I have network connectivity, I just can't do anything on port 80 it seems. ICMP works, as do windows update, symantec live update, and network file transfer. It's probably something simple that I've overlooked, or it could just be that I need to install the drivers for my NIC/wifi.

Why someone would produce a virus that would render itself useless is beyond me. It would serve no purpose other than ticking people off. In this case, it worked. But TS, punk, you won't get the pleasure of knowing you succeeded.

Stryden · Answer

Wow! I have 3 projects to do tonight...and all of a sudden they were gone. You just saved my butt from hours of searching. Thank you. I found that if you just type in exporer.exe on new task and hit enter, you dont have to restart. Thank you very much

Kelly · Answer

Stryden, thanks for sharing that tip about typing it into "new task". Saved me some time too. Much obliged.

0ryn · Answer

You need to install IE8 back on your PC, 
Using someone elses PC (or mac) download IE8 (16meg file) to a memory stick.
Then from your PC started in safe mode (F8 during boot) install IE8, tell it you do not want updates.
Wait for it to finish and restart.

On the next boot select yes you wish to activate and hey presto the activation wizard will start.

alkis · Answer

run the task manager and then press new task and write : explorer

adam · Answer

might not work if you have a vga cable hooked up, if you have one connected unconnect it then start your computer

lrms · Answer

I love you!!!!! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did I say THANK YOU???

Crisstianno · Answer

For me only this option worked permanently.
Instructions
1

THE PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

When the computer is booted, everything looks fine initially with all the Desktop icons and the Task bar. The programs appear to be running fine. But all the icons and task bar disappears suddenly. Then it all reappears and this process continues without letting the user to perform any tasks.
This problem recurs always when the computer is booted.

2

THE PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

The above described problem appears due to corrupt EXPLORER.EXE file. This may have happened due to some trojan attack through internet file downloading. The solution in this article deals with solving this problem. However, it is recommended to reinstall Windows XP some time soon.

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3
ACCESSING C:\WINDOWS FOLDER

If the task bar is not visible at all, you will need to press Ctrl+Alt+Del key to bring up the taskbar. Go to "New Task" from the menu bar and enter "explorer.exe". You will need to do this several times if your task bar disappears again.
Go to "C:\WINDOWS" folder through "My Computer". If accessing the My Computer folder is not possible then you can go to Command prompt by typing "cmd" in the "Run" command line and accessing the "WINDOWS" folder from here.

4

COPYING AND RENAMING EXPLORER.EXE File

Copy the EXPLORER.EXE (Computer icon) file and paste it in the same folder. A file "Copy of EXPLORER.EXE" will be created in the folder. Now change the file name to your name.exe. For example, I renamed mine to "deshmukh.exe"

5

CHANGE REGISTRY - REGEDIT

Now go to Start >> Run and type "regedit" and press enter key. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon. In this folder, you will find a sub named "shell". Double click it and rename the "explorer.exe" to "deshmukh.exe"

6
RESTART

Restart your computer after making this change. Everything will be back to normal without any problems!



hope you fil find this usseful

balbhadra · Answer

thanks a lot

Artistic · Answer

Thank you so much!

creastysomp · Answer

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\

Ranjeet · Answer

Thanks .. Problem resolved .. Thank you so much

After start up only wallpaper shows, no icons

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