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All my task bar, desktop icons,..... missing

Last answer on Nov 6, 2009 9:56:09 pm GMT yakuja, on Sep 29, 2008 4:10:46 am BST 
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Hello,


can ne 1 help me out with dis problem

all my windows desktop icons and task bar dissapears ..
the only thing i can run is pressing Alt+Ctrl+Del and running task manager....
cant help myself when running in safe mode also.
cant restore to earlier check point...

is this some kind of virus or........
need help ASAP

Configuration: Windows XP
Firefox 3.0.3

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1

xp user, on Oct 2, 2008 11:50:09 pm BST
  • +6

Under Task Manager use File Run Explore.exe

Then create a new profile when this is done. Sounds like you had a virus.

Good luck

Reply to xp user

6

Sandeep, on Dec 13, 2008 3:34:35 am GMT
  • +3

Hey man i liked what you have suggested but it's serious problem regarding companies....so are you sure that after creating new profile problem will solve?
Because i noticed this problem on my company's vise president's laptop, that's why this is serious, i was going to format system.
i'm also sure that he is having virus in system. But creating profile will be far better than formatting.
Reply as soon as possible, i mean really it's a solution, or have you tried it, because if this will not solve the problem then he will shout that why didn't i formatted as it will take time for once only.
Thank you....

Reply to Sandeep

44

Alex, on May 9, 2009 1:34:59 pm BST
  • +6

If tried doin new task run explorer.exe but still it does not work

Reply to Alex

65

Zoga, on Oct 26, 2009 7:10:44 am GMT
  • +2

Thanks man This Works......

Many Many Thanks......

Reply to Zoga

2

Dan, on Oct 21, 2008 7:58:46 pm BST
  • +5

There is no such file in the task manager

Reply to Dan

3

Ron, on Oct 21, 2008 8:09:22 pm BST
  • +21

In task manager select the performance tab, then click File and you will see the Run New task item.

Reply to Ron

4

Soldey, on Oct 26, 2008 7:27:26 am GMT
  • +1

Partially worked, but didn't help in the end. I've just reformatted (important stuff was on another drive)

Reply to Soldey

5

Soulblade, on Oct 27, 2008 8:42:51 am GMT
  • +2

Hi all. I recently had this happen to me as well. Desktop background, but that's about it. Trying to use the ctrl-alt-del trick to run programs works on most, but not explorer. A couple of days earlier, I suddenly started to receive all these pop-up windows, saying I had a virus and to click on it - I suspect one of the other family members may have done so.

NOD32 was reporting that the PC was infected with the win32/kryptik.x trojan virus, and tried to get rid of it multiple times, but on each re-boot, it was there again. I've tried repairing the install, but with no luck. I'm about to a full wipe and reformat - luckily all my important stuff is elsewhere too :-)

Just a bit of feedback on the topic (and first post!)

Reply to Soulblade

21

lilmama, on Feb 11, 2009 6:35:45 pm GMT
  • +5

So how did you fix ur problem cause last night our lights went out during a storm and since last night i have been having these problems can't get anything on my computer but the background pic so can you please help me solve my problems

Reply to lilmama

57

Me, on Aug 30, 2009 2:31:48 am BST

Usually it comes from infected audio files like mp3,mp4.wma...video fils,music files.

Reply to Me

64

abhi, on Oct 25, 2009 12:35:58 pm GMT
  • +2

My taskbar and desktop icons are not seen . i also have press ctrl+alt+del but i can not do any thing .
please help me.

Reply to abhi

7

bill, on Jan 26, 2009 5:44:09 am GMT
  • +2

Another thing that you can try is if it boots up wiht just my documents like mine did just type in at the top of my documents a web adress this will boot up internet so you can do some reshearch or run a virus scan... but if your computer is still in the warranty like mine is save yourself the hassle and go and buy yourself a raplacement.

Reply to bill

8

yaso, on Jan 29, 2009 9:09:43 am GMT
  • +38

I spent 5 day to solve this problem

Ctr + Alt + Delete // File – New Task (run…) // explorer.exe // OK
This will show your desktop icons but not solve the problem
To solve it just do this steps

1- copy explorer.exe from other clean computer (from C:\WINDOWS)
2- in your computer go to C:\WINDOWS
3- show hidden files from (Tools - Folder Options - View - Show hidden files and folders)
4- delete explorer.exe and any other files start with explorer...
5- put the new file (explorer.exe)
6- log off or restart
7- log on

Congratulation your desktop healthy now

Reply to yaso

9

bikas, on Jan 29, 2009 8:22:25 pm GMT
  • +16

I tried to do as u said but explorer.exe couldnt load.so i couldnt continue. Is there any other ways to enter my computer through task manager??

Reply to bikas

54

Sanjay, on Aug 7, 2009 4:05:43 am BST
  • +33

Sir, My desktop icons are missing. Please tell me for solve this problem.

Reply to Sanjay

60

H. Singh, on Sep 18, 2009 12:51:50 pm BST
  • +4

All my task bar, desktop icons, show after 10 minuts

Reply to H. Singh

55

Sanjay, on Aug 7, 2009 4:05:45 am BST
  • +19

Sir, My desktop icons are missing. Please tell me for solve this problem.

Reply to Sanjay

12

yay, on Feb 6, 2009 8:19:10 am GMT

HEY YASO IT WORKED THANKS ALOT!

Reply to yay

66

 kusca, on Nov 6, 2009 9:56:09 pm GMT

How did u do it? i tryed to copy the explorer.exe from my desktop into a Cd and placed the dc into my laptpp but a messege box poped up and said that it didnt work

Reply to kusca

13

quesi, on Feb 7, 2009 10:08:06 am GMT

Hi yaso, I have the same problem and I'm trying to follow your advice but I can't delete the original explorer. A message comes up saying that it is being used by another program. how do I get around this please?

Reply to quesi

19

yaso, on Feb 10, 2009 7:19:58 am GMT
  • +2

Hi
try to logon as administrator
and try to delete it again

if this not work; go to run / msconfig / OK
and remove any strange startup programs

good luck

Reply to yaso

26

KRIS, on Mar 9, 2009 1:49:08 am GMT
  • +1

Thanks so much, this worked like a charm! I was racking my brain for hours trying to figure it out and I read this and it worked great, thanks so much again!

Reply to KRIS

27

desktop, on Mar 9, 2009 3:57:03 pm GMT
  • +1

Be careful removing things from your startup list in msconfig. If you do not know what it is then don't remove it. I did this one time and my computer stopped responding and I had to reformat it.

Reply to desktop

16

SMITHMOM, on Feb 7, 2009 11:59:13 pm GMT
  • +2

Hi. Thank for all the advice.... I have this problem. How do I copy the explore.exe file and get it to the infected computer?

Reply to SMITHMOM

17

, on Feb 7, 2009 11:59:33 pm GMT
  • +2

I have this problem. How do I copy the explore.exe file and get it to the infected computer?

Reply to

18

Damooooon, on Feb 8, 2009 5:34:53 am GMT
  • +2

Hii,
Yaso, man when I try to do it it says something like you don't have authorised access or something.

Any idea why..?
Can you please add me at damon_rulz@Hotmail.com help apreciated
(:

Reply to Damooooon

22

TammyT, on Feb 12, 2009 11:42:44 am GMT

Yaso how do i copy explorer.exe, where do i find it and where do i paste it when i have copied it?

Reply to TammyT

51

LAW129, on Jun 16, 2009 1:26:03 pm BST

Hey,
Just find a healthy computer and copy from there. Use your zip drive

Reply to LAW129

37

nena, on Mar 20, 2009 11:22:04 pm GMT
  • +3

Hi im havin trouble with my laptop.i dont a volume on it.how do i put volume in it?

Reply to nena

38

Manny, on Mar 24, 2009 7:41:06 am GMT

Thanks you are the best

Reply to Manny

43

Victor Valentine, on Apr 14, 2009 3:29:11 am BST

Ok that helps, but can you send me a copy of your explorer.exe, threw email, cause i cant find it anywhere and dont have any friends, or cd's

djvictorvalentine@ymail.com

thank you

Reply to Victor Valentine

49

Vladimir, on Jun 4, 2009 12:50:46 pm BST
  • +1

I had the exact same problem. Here's what you do. Go to task manager, click open new task. Go to drive C:\WINDOWS and then find where it says explorer. All you have to do is open up explorer and everything returns to normal. It worked for me anyway.

Reply to Vladimir

53

queensouth, on Aug 1, 2009 5:37:07 pm BST

Yaso you are the man it worked perfectly ...just like you said

Reply to queensouth

61

jd, on Sep 28, 2009 7:47:55 am BST

Hey yaso
all my documents etc keeps disappering once i restart my computer.what do i do?

Reply to jd

10

RandomHero, on Jan 29, 2009 9:31:17 pm GMT

I had the same problem, but all I did in the task manager was log out the user and log back in a couple of times and somehow it worked. Could have just been sheer dumb luck.

Reply to RandomHero

14

kulhaw, on Feb 7, 2009 1:59:54 pm GMT

http://delltrain.wordpress.com/2008/07/15/missing-system-ico­ns-in-windows-vista
I had the same issue this morning on my labtop w/ vista my Volume icon was missing... Volume control was missing and couldn't be selected (grayed out) in the taskmanager either and wouldn't appear on the toolbar . I searched the issue and found link I pasted above. it has some instructions on how to correct the issue that everyone seems to be having with their icon on taskbar
go into regedit follow these steps I deleted both "IconStreams” and “PastIconStreams” and restarted and This worked great then I restarted right clicked on the taskbar Properties and selected the "notification tab "selected" the "volume control" and clicked "apply"
Good Luck

Run “regedit” (Registry Editor)
Find “iconstreams”
Delete all registry keys with names “IconStreams” and “PastIconStreams” until “iconstreams” can no longer be found in the registry
Restart Windows Vista
Enable the missing icon using the usual method

Reply to kulhaw

48

user, on Jun 3, 2009 7:04:32 pm BST
  • +1

Thank you Kulhaw. Your info/link to delete Iconstreams/etc in the registry and re-enable it worked for me. Now I have my various volume, network and power icons back on the task bar.

Reply to user

15

Usterbea, on Feb 7, 2009 9:39:22 pm GMT
  • +1

I lost all my icons after I stared tweaking my system by following the guide of an internet site. I restarted 3 times and no luck with my stuff, then I logged off and back on and they came right up.

Reply to Usterbea

20

Apple Girllllll, on Feb 10, 2009 1:11:47 pm GMT

OMg!

"yaso"

Thank you super much, without you my laptop prob will never be solved!

Thanks!

Reply to Apple Girllllll

23

zhu hang, on Mar 6, 2009 2:14:47 am GMT

Yaso,
i tried your way,but when i paste the new explorer in c:/WINDOWS,it will change to the old one again.So,it doesn't work.

Reply to zhu hang

24

zhu hang, on Mar 6, 2009 2:16:02 am GMT

Help me pls!!

Reply to zhu hang

25

desktop, on Mar 8, 2009 3:37:35 pm GMT

This happened to me two days ago. Took forever to get to the desktop and then when I did all my icons were gone and the taskbar was missing. Discovered I had a Trojan (checking in safe mode) and so I reformatted. Problem solved.

Reply to desktop

28

seffy92, on Mar 9, 2009 7:03:12 pm GMT
  • +1

I have this problem too. When i log on no icons appear on my desktop and the toolbar comes up for a short while but then disappears. I have tried to get to my documents through ctrl + alt + del but no such luck. I can only get on internet explorere through msn messenger.
I cannot reformat because there are a lot of important documents that only exist on this computer.
Please help!!!!

Reply to seffy92

47

Zaw, on Jun 2, 2009 3:47:04 am BST

I aslo have same problem with you. Missing my desktop but one pop up (smslock) was on computer screen. I used Ctrl+Alt+Del to get task manger but it is not working. Please get me out from this problem.

Reply to Zaw

29

desktop, on Mar 9, 2009 7:16:47 pm GMT

Hi seffy,

Can you save your important files on CDs or perhaps an external drive or USB flash drive?

Reply to desktop

30

seffy92, on Mar 9, 2009 7:21:01 pm GMT
  • +1

I have tried to do this but when i insert a USB or CD my computer doesnt recognise it, there is no pop-up to say it has been detected and my computer is out of the question :S

Reply to seffy92

31

desktop, on Mar 9, 2009 7:21:49 pm GMT
  • +1

Have you tried doing this while in Safe Mode?

Reply to desktop

32

seffy92, on Mar 9, 2009 7:24:14 pm GMT
  • +1

No i haven't. I'll try this and get back to you?
Thank you.

Reply to seffy92

33

ultraz_1908, on Mar 10, 2009 10:42:48 pm GMT
  • +1

Use this tool...working for Windows Vista and Xp...
"TuneUp Utilities 2009"
download link
http://tinyurl.com/bmhnrg

Download and install it >> open TuneUp Utilities 2009 >> solve problems >> tune up repair wizard (fix computer and display problems) >> select the problems that occur with you . . .

If your computer infected by any virus, try avast pro >> download and install it >> restart your computer
"avast pro 4.8"
link : http://tinyurl.com/agmwfl

Good luck !

NB : Please reply me if you still have any error message

Reply to ultraz_1908

34

Technical Beast, on Mar 11, 2009 2:05:35 am GMT

You can also try to replace or repair corrupt files. Use a Operating Disk that is the same as the Operating System on your computer. Boot from cd when asked select repair, that will take you to a screen that looks like a command prompt. select 1 for the drive enter your password for admin if you have one,If not just hit enter. Then when you see C:\Windows> enter chkdsk /r. it should look like C:\Windows> chkdsk /r that will scan the computer and replace any files missing or corrupt. It could take an hour.

Reply to Technical Beast

56

ramee, on Aug 10, 2009 9:47:38 am BST

Dear

when i start my computer my taskbar hangs means helds and some time my desktop icon r also missing my computer totaly become hangs but i can only press control+alt+del then i go to shutdown and use logoff then computer say exploere.exe end now when i click on end now and come on welcome screen it is alright and again i press my account it become alright my drivers comes and my computer is alright what can i doo 4 it by now iam using registry booster it helps but i am not sure plz tell w8ing 4 your reply plz mail on my email address kh_ramiz@yahoo.com thankkkkzzzzzzzz

Reply to ramee

35

Frazzled1, on Mar 12, 2009 6:34:27 pm GMT
  • +1

I am having this same problem, but it won't let me run explorer.exe, it says that it can't find the file. And every time I delete explorer.exe and replace it with a good copy, it puts the old one right back and overwrites it. I deleted it out of dllcache too, but it is still happening.

Reply to Frazzled1

45

jubiq, on May 11, 2009 11:08:02 pm BST
  • +1

If you're using a dual video card, try this. Go to the display settings, and uncheck the "extend my windows desktop onto this monitor" box. Your start bar should come right back. That did the trick for me.

Reply to jubiq

63

RayL, on Oct 23, 2009 4:34:03 pm BST

I just got this problem this morning. No icons on desktop, but I could start programs like taskmgr (which showed in task bar but did not display on desktop). So Machine was essentially unusable. Could (without seeing the dialog ) tab to shutdown of system, but that is about it.

Even the start options were modified so I could not start in safe mode.

Fortunately I had installed a new hard drive just 6 days ago, using an image copy of my system. I restored from this and am back in action.

This is the worst virus I have faced. Much worse than Others I have managed to remove from my machine or from friends machines. Makes case for Backup Backup Backup. I had found Macrium Reflect on the Internet and it worked flawlessly, my image backup to a $50 USB drive. Well worth it considering what would have happened had I not had it.

Good Luck.

Reply to RayL