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Taskbar and Icons disappearing on XP

Last answer on Oct 30, 2009 11:47:44 pm GMT goldtop, on Sep 15, 2008 4:16:46 pm BST 
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Hello,

As with several other people, I too have a blank XP desktop missing the icons and the taskbar (wallpaper is present though). At one point system recovery from an earlier date cured the problem, but as soon as I switched off and re-booted the problem returned.

I have tried typing 'explorer.exe' in the Task Manager, but Windows cannot find it. Even if I include the full path (C:\windows\explorer.exe) it gives an error message saying it can't find the file. Even if I copy explorer from another machine onto a removable drive it STILL cannot find it. However if I re-name 'explorer.exe' to, say, 'explorer1.exe' it does find it, so there is something about the explorer name that is being blocked.

If I type 'explorer1.exe' as in the previous paragraph it doesn't fully cure the problem. It brings up a copy of Windows Explorer at the 'My Documents' level and one can navigate from there, but this is not the true desktop, nor is the taskbar present.

All the above applies whether in Safe Mode or otherwise

Can anyone help with this unusual problem? Many thanks.

Configuration: Windows XP Multimedia Edition

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1

Just call me Max, on Sep 24, 2008 11:40:56 pm BST
  • +17

Open task manager run Explorer

Type explorer in it and should come up


this happent to me i had to restore my computer

   
Reply to Just call me Max

57

Bobmac, on Mar 16, 2009 8:19:03 pm GMT
  • +3

Many thanks !! - had just finishes running COMBOFIX to get rid of FAKE Viruses & then no icons or task bar - but restored now

cheers
Bobmac

   
Reply to Bobmac

2

theguesser10, on Oct 5, 2008 5:55:38 pm BST
  • +3

Cudos on reading, Max.

   
Reply to theguesser10

3

anhtrung, on Oct 6, 2008 12:10:24 am BST
  • +1

I post the answer earlier. Where is it?

   
Reply to anhtrung

32

Shelly Girl, on Jan 10, 2009 3:42:33 pm GMT

Hey thanks so much! I'm not computer smart and your directions were perfect :D I didn't get lost at all and the outcome was absolutely what I needed!

Thanks once again :)

   
Reply to Shelly Girl

4

Ant, on Oct 6, 2008 1:08:50 am BST
  • +3

I have the same issue where renaming explorer.exe to explor.exe and changing the shell="explor.exe" kinda fix it. Running a adware scan now on the computer and not too sure whether it will fix it permanently or not.
I am thinking to change it back to explorer.exe later to check whether "explorer.exe being blocked" or some other file is corrupted. This is the 4th incidents I have for the past few weeks.

   
Reply to Ant

5

anhtrung, on Oct 10, 2008 11:09:15 pm BST

How come I post the message and I cannot see it. When I tried to post it again, it said already posted and nothing appears. (ANGRY)

   
Reply to anhtrung

6

anhtrung, on Oct 10, 2008 11:10:57 pm BST
  • +37

Suck bulletin board.
Readers: Please patient and read the instruction in several messages then.
Part 1:
1. Ctrl + Alt + Del to bring up Task Manager.
2. Click "New Task..." then click "Browse..."
3. Click My Computer on the left panel. Click C:\ - WINDOWS.
4. Navigate to explorer.exe, right click and copy explorer. Rename it to explorer1 (.exe)
5. Hit Cancel to go back to Create New Task window. Type regedit.exe and click OK.

   
Reply to anhtrung

14

renji, on Dec 19, 2008 7:27:17 am GMT
  • +1

Hei man thank you very much it did solve my problem...i wonder what is the cause of that!!
..what will happen to the explorer??while am using now is the explorer1!!is explorer.exe now redundat??

but anyway..man thank you..
can i kiss you??ahehehe

PEACE (^_^)\n/


†Wo|FWood†

   
Reply to renji

28

Ivan78, on Jan 5, 2009 2:09:40 am GMT
  • +1

I still have the same problem i followed your step but no result,thanks anyways...

   
Reply to Ivan78

47

clarkd88, on Feb 5, 2009 4:35:55 am GMT
  • +2

Awesome anhtrung, your instructions worked great and easy! Thank you! YOU SAVED ME HOURS AND HOURS OF FIGURING THIS OUT!

   
Reply to clarkd88

49

TannerO, on Feb 12, 2009 1:08:48 pm GMT

I am sure this should work, but when I hit Ctrl, Alt, Delete it says "Task manager has been disabled by your adminitrator?" Any suggestions?

   
Reply to TannerO

62

arf, on May 29, 2009 2:50:24 am BST

I just did all of the above and when I rebooted, the problem was not fixed.
When I went to regedit and checked out the "shell" the new name was there, explorer1.exe so it was changed. But it didn't fix the porblem. Another other possible solutions?

   
Reply to arf

7

anhtrung, on Oct 10, 2008 11:12:09 pm BST
  • +1

6. In the registry editor, navigate to the following Key.

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

With the Winlogon key selected, look in the right side window for the
'Shell" value.

Double click Shell. In the Value Data box, you should see Explorer.exe. Change it to
explorer1.exe and click OK.

Exit the registry editor and reboot the computer.

   
Reply to anhtrung

8

capricorn99, on Nov 19, 2008 10:18:03 am GMT

It seams it worked for users not replying.. i'll give it a try.

   
Reply to capricorn99

10

tony, on Dec 4, 2008 6:39:33 pm GMT

Ya it worked for me but why start happening any reasons

   
Reply to tony

11

louise, on Dec 13, 2008 12:31:57 pm GMT

Thanks so much!
my computer is now working fine & your instructions were great :)

   
Reply to louise

18

ferlar, on Dec 26, 2008 3:30:55 pm GMT

Thank you SO MUCH! That did the trick. My question now is can I go back to "explorer.exe"

   
Reply to ferlar

22

George, on Dec 29, 2008 10:40:49 pm GMT
  • +1

Thank you very much!!!
You saved me a lot of time!!!!

George

Greece

   
Reply to George

24

gambler, on Dec 30, 2008 12:29:00 pm GMT

Thanks it worked for me too!!!

Respect from Montego Bay, Jamaica

   
Reply to gambler

46

tonipukrteuba, on Feb 4, 2009 7:58:27 pm GMT

Used the "manual fix" suggested by Anhtrung and retrieved the desktop icons and taskbar and all worked wonderful! Thank you! THEN I ran the Malware Bytes app. It found MANY trojan files, including the explorer1.exe. I "fixed" the trojans, but alas, it also left me back at the blank screen.... I returned to Task Manager, used the manual fix again, and I was able to retrieve desktop and taskbar and a working computer. However, another Malware Byte scan showed trojan still in explorer1.exe..... I "ignored" it and was able to have the desktop and taskbar, etc. NOW I am wondering what I should do about the remaining trojan file.... Will this trojan just reattach itself to other files and cause problem again? Can I safely send emails? MANY thanks for your fix and for any suggestions concerning the trojan showing in explorer1.exe.

(I am using second computer now, which had trojan problem but I was able to use system restore on this one, and hopefully the malware bytes scan found all the trojans and quaranteed them!)

   
Reply to tonipukrteuba

51

KG, on Feb 21, 2009 11:28:04 am GMT
  • +1

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY SAYING COPY AND RENAME explorer1?

   
Reply to KG

60

Witek, on May 15, 2009 10:20:55 am BST

Well, this solution solves the problem partially. At least for me. Now the file search function does not work as it wants explorer and not explorer1 :(

   
Reply to Witek

72

 mslal5, on Oct 30, 2009 7:42:48 pm GMT

This didn't work for us. However, we are logged on as an administrator and where not able to rename explore.exe to explore1.exe. We were able to change in the registry, did the reboot and nothing. Scanned for viruses and malware and nothing. Any other suggestions to this issue?

   
Reply to mslal5

9

nomadcrys, on Nov 19, 2008 11:08:43 am GMT
  • +1

I think its a virus...you know what to do now!

   
Reply to nomadcrys

13

captsensible, on Dec 17, 2008 7:11:17 pm GMT

@anhtrung

Thank you!!!

I just had to fix this on a computer at work and your instructions were right on the money!

Thanks again!

   
Reply to captsensible

15

sam, on Dec 19, 2008 9:24:22 pm GMT

Anhtrung, thank you very much. I tried all others solutions on web, yours was the only one that worked. thanks again.

   
Reply to sam

16

CrazedPC, on Dec 23, 2008 4:25:26 am GMT

Thank you for the FIX. It was the only one that worked.

   
Reply to CrazedPC

17

skydesigner, on Dec 23, 2008 11:46:23 pm GMT

Thanks!!! anhtrung

your solution is work so well ...

   
Reply to skydesigner

19

Brody, on Dec 29, 2008 2:01:30 am GMT

It's a Virus people!!!! Run the Malwarebytes application and it will take care of it for ya..I spent hours on this and all I had to do is run this application..other Anti-virus / spyware apps will not help..only this.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/malware-removal/remove-vundo­-virtumonde

Its caused by this trojan "Trojan.vundo"

Trust me here..will save you alot of headaches..plus will find some other malware you might not of known you had.

Peace!

   
Reply to Brody

20

MrYankeeFan, on Dec 29, 2008 3:19:55 am GMT

Just followed Brody's link. Worked for me!!!! Thanks Much

   
Reply to MrYankeeFan

21

h, on Dec 29, 2008 7:10:16 pm GMT

Thanks for the link!! This problem was driving me crazy for days!!

   
Reply to h

23

Alex, on Dec 30, 2008 1:21:05 am GMT

Thank you so much,
Best instruction, I almost gave up when the taskbar on my computer disappeared. Good that I did not buy a new computer, but came up on this website!!THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

   
Reply to Alex

25

Same thing happened to me, on Dec 30, 2008 10:09:08 pm GMT

Dear Asker,
The same thing happened to my computer!
I was on the phone for nearly 2 hours and the guy couldnt help me at all.
He said that I might need to re-install windows to get everything back to normal.
All my icons and taskbar went away but the wallpaper is still present like yours,
is there any thing that helped bring all that stuff back?
If there is,
write a comment under mine telling me which one did because I do not want to reinstall windows and loose everything!

   
Reply to Same thing happened to me

26

David, on Dec 31, 2008 3:52:21 am GMT

I do not have access to registry. Is there anyway to remove the software key? It keeps copying the explorer.exe file. Really appreciate the great help.

   
Reply to David

29

Masamune, on Jan 5, 2009 5:56:12 am GMT

Im having a problem just like that but mine dissapear closing mots apps i have started come back then repeats endlessly. this dosent give me enough time to get that malware detector installed. please someone help.

   
Reply to Masamune

27

johnny, on Dec 31, 2008 10:38:16 pm GMT

After i enter exlorer1.exe then i reboot my pc and log in and i back to normal but i cant open start menu and document so i go ack to the rentry.exe i just type in exloprer.exe and it worked my icons and taskbar back in after i login also my start menu worked now i can open document too so so my pc back on normal (bad typing) thanks anyway anhtrung =)))) cheers happy new year

   
Reply to johnny

30

Gage, on Jan 6, 2009 12:47:40 am GMT

This happened to me just yesterday and the Task Mgr > Regedit >Local Machine....explorer.exe rename and reboot did the trick thank you. I run Spyware Doctor http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/ and Advanced Spyware remover at all times and this virus still infected my machine. After the manual fix, I ran both apps and they did not see the Virtumonde virus. I ran the Malware Bytes app and sure enough that Virus was in machine.
Thanks again, great information.

   
Reply to Gage

31

Gage, on Jan 6, 2009 1:02:06 am GMT

The manual fix is worth posting again in one container. Big thanks to the original solution provider anhtrung.

1. Ctrl + Alt + Del to bring up Task Manager.
2. Click "New Task..." then click "Browse..."
3. Click My Computer on the left panel. Click C:\ - WINDOWS
4. Navigate to explorer.exe, right click and copy explorer. Rename it to explorer1 (.exe)
5. Hit Cancel to go back to Create New Task window. Type regedit.exe and click OK.
6. In the registry editor, navigate to the following Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
7. With the Winlogon key selected, look in the right side window for the
'Shell" value.
8. Double click Shell. In the Value Data box, you should see Explorer.exe. Change it to
explorer1.exe and click OK.
9. Exit the registry editor and reboot the computer

Here is the the post by Brody containing the reason for this behavior as well as the links and information about the apps that get rid of this Virus as well. Big Ups to Brody for this. I suggest doing the manual fix then running the Malware Bytes app (and others if necessary though I did not need to).

It's a Virus people!!!! Run the Malwarebytes application and it will take care of it for ya..I spent hours on this and all I had to do is run this application..other Anti-virus / spyware apps will not help..only this.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/malware-removal/remove-vundo

Its caused by this trojan "Trojan.vundo"

Trust me here..will save you alot of headaches..plus will find some other malware you might not of known you had.

Peace!

   
Reply to Gage

33

Softmania.co.cc, on Jan 10, 2009 5:32:28 pm GMT

Right dude, the solution provided by the person above, is a valid and working solution....

   
Reply to Softmania.co.cc

38

kyle, on Jan 15, 2009 10:14:07 pm GMT

Some type of virus kept freezing Malwarebytes dead in its tracks every time it tried to quarantine the infections it had found. I followed the instructions posted by andhunt (however you spell it) and renamed my copy of explorer to explorer1 and all that good stuff. I restarted my comp and the taskbar and icons are all back. On top of that, Malwarebytes was able to quarantine the infections just fine without freezing or anything. I guess that killed 2 birds with one stone.

I love Malwarebytes by the way. No other free security program works quite as well as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware does. I've compared LOTS of other programs to it, too :)

   
Reply to kyle

39

Milind, on Jan 16, 2009 10:42:16 am GMT

Hey Gage and anhtrung,

thank you very much. i had same problem. you have saved me a whole lot of time. i thought i had best anti-v and firewall. did not stopped affecting my system.

your very very very kind help saved me re-install re-configure troubles.

thank you once more,

-milind

   
Reply to Milind

45

ITVt, on Jan 31, 2009 1:56:23 pm GMT

Thanks Gage and Brody for this - renaming explorer.exe gave us enough workable space and time to download spybot S&D - and indeed Vundo was there and removed. Very much appreciate the tips as a couple of friends also started having this issue so I will point them to this thread.

   
Reply to ITVt

54

MyLaptopOfficiallyHatesMe, on Feb 22, 2009 10:35:06 pm GMT
  • +1

I open my Task Manager and I click New Task, then Browse.
C: - WINDOWS or whatever isn't there!
I try searching for explorer.exe or whatever it says but it's not there.
My Administrator Account's password is lost and downloading is not an option.
Help!!

   
Reply to MyLaptopOfficiallyHatesMe

58

betiko, on Mar 18, 2009 11:10:57 am GMT

Thanz so much i try all nigth until this post love you...

   
Reply to betiko

34

DR J, on Jan 13, 2009 12:28:46 pm GMT
  • +1

Thank you for the 6-step solution listed in a thread above--it worked great for getting the taskbar to stop disapearring/reappearing. Clearly is something caused by a trojan (have several instances of trojan horse and trojan.vundo on my son's machine--and one of them must have put a virus infected version of explorer.exe on the computer. I'd love to know if there is some way to prevent my son from canceling the startup virus scans in Symantec Endpoint 11 on XP.

   
Reply to DR J

41

Everdread, on Jan 24, 2009 6:11:08 am GMT

...It did not work for me, I am VERY computer litterate and I followed it to a T. after I followed the solution above step by step, I was met with the same 'ol disappearing act. only differance now is when I look under the processes tab in taskmanager I see explorer1.exe appearing then disappearing... any ideas?

   
Reply to Everdread

50

be-red, on Feb 20, 2009 11:59:47 pm GMT

I have a problem, i tried everything out and i tired this renegit.exe way but i cannot rename it from explorer to explorer1. and i can't modify shell (explorer) it says error while modifying shell's value. can someone help me??

   
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