Can't see files or desktop icons...malware? [Solved/Closed]

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Can't see files or desktop icons...malware? [Solved/Closed]

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coolrunnings - Jul 11, 2011 at 01:29 PM
tammmoor - Nov 6, 2019 at 08:19 AM

Hello,

For some reason I can't see any of my files or desktop icons. I couldn't access task manager for a while so I ran a Malwarebytes scan, removed the 5 threats it found, and can now see task manager but still not any of my files on the C drive or desktop icons.

I'm sure it's some kind of malware as I had a fake "windows warning" (or something like that...) thing pop up a few weeks back that was definitely not legit. How can I fix this?

Thanks!

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3 replies

Answer 2 / 3

Ambucias

Posts: 47398
Registration date: Monday February 1, 2010
Status: Moderator
Last seen: November 27, 2020

9,437
Jul 12, 2011 at 04:46 AM

Hello Jonathan,

Looking at you log, you system is no longer infected but the desktop was disabled.

First, go to run and type explorer.exe and click ok. It should restore the desktop. If that does not work...

Open your registry editor (run regedit) and search the following key

HKLM\...\policies\Explorer] - "NoActiveDesktop"=1

Change the "1" to 0 and reboot your machine

If the above does not recover the missing icons, you will need to restore the system.

Good luck

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Ambucias

Posts: 47398
Registration date: Monday February 1, 2010
Status: Moderator
Last seen: November 27, 2020

9,437
Dec 15, 2011 at 05:21 AM

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\windows\currentversion\policies\ActiveDesktop

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sheen
Nov 4, 2012 at 10:04 AM

thnx dude very usefull to me............

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aaa
Nov 4, 2012 at 10:46 AM

Thanks for you information, it fixed my problem.

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orochy
Jan 27, 2015 at 02:46 PM

thank you!!!!!!!!!

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jay
Mar 22, 2015 at 12:32 PM

thank you so much it was helpful

Answer 3 / 3

sundar7701
Jul 13, 2011 at 11:27 PM

you need to unhide files first

run this command as a administrator

Attrib %systemdrive%\*.* /s /d -h

then

Navigate to %temp%\smtmp folder,you should find your startmenu and desktop icons
if u dont find smtmp folder just restore the icons using recuva

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J-son
Mar 10, 2015 at 10:05 AM

Thank you so much!!

Ask a question

that comment about the (HKLM\...\policies\Explorer] - "NoActiveDesktop"=1) is a lil vague, need more in depth info please
at least describe in a little more detail how to get to that because ive been playing around in my regedit for the past 20 mins >.<
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\windows\currentversion\policies\ActiveDesktop

Joseph.net · Accepted Answer · 2011-07-13T21:43:58-0400

Answer 1 / 3

Joseph.net

Posts: 4
Registration date: Wednesday July 13, 2011
Status: Member
Last seen: July 13, 2011

1
Jul 13, 2011 at 09:43 PM

Try this way bro..
Right click on ur Desktop > View > Tick on "Show Desktop Icon"

maybe it's work..

Goodluck~

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lol
Updated on Nov 10, 2017 at 01:32 PM

Damn thnak you bro

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daniel
Jan 18, 2018 at 04:31 AM

Thank you

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miki
Feb 19, 2018 at 03:35 AM

Thanks! it was very helpful.

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cyrus
Apr 3, 2018 at 05:32 AM

Thanks it works

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tammmoor
Nov 6, 2019 at 08:19 AM

Thank you so very, very much!

Can't see files or desktop icons...malware? [Solved/Closed]

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