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Desktop icons are gone, taskbar won't show up

Last answer on Oct 18, 2009 1:07:19 pm BST ImperfectMyth, on Dec 14, 2008 5:47:22 pm GMT 
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I restarted my computer yesterday, and it restarted normally. I got on Myspace, Facebook, and AIM. Random tabs kept opening up containing ads. My McAfee service popped up, saying it caught and removed a trojan. I clicked "ok", and went on. when i closed everything to go to bed, I noticed that my desktop had no icons and i could not open my taskbar. I did find out that I could open the taskmanager using ctrl+alt+delete, and open Firefox and all of my other documents.

I have tried rebooting the computer, doing a system restore, and I used my McAfee 3-User Total Protection to do a full scan of my copmuter for trogans, spyware, adware, and other viruses and it came up with nothing.

I really need a good, full, descriptive answer.

Thank you!

Configuration: Windows XP
Firefox 3.0.4

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1

Sue, on Dec 14, 2008 7:14:56 pm GMT
  • +5

I am having a similar problem. No start button or task bar. Am working around by using my desktop which has not been affected. However, when I try to open documents, Word stops responding. Once a get on the internet, it frequently stops responding. I did a OneStop free checkup last night and it found and fixed a virus named Trojan:Win32/AgentBypass.gen!K. My computer also downloaded Service Pack 3. I think the virus may have come in with the SP3 download, but no way to prove. I am now doing an sfc / scannow at command prompt, but in order to complete, I need a SP3 CD and I need it quick, so I thought that if I could find a way to download SP3, maybe I could make my own disc. Do you know where I can download it for someone like me who is not an IT professional. I see where we can download the IT Professional version, but can't find a version that is for individual PC's. Can anyone help?

Reply to Sue

4

jak, on Jan 13, 2009 12:35:28 am GMT
  • +72

Go to task manager and start a new process called explorer.exe and it should show up

Reply to jak

7

NICKSP, on Feb 4, 2009 1:44:30 am GMT
  • +7

IF I could repay you some how I Definatly would... you saved me from basically eaither throwing my computer away, or a harddrive wipe. Turns out I downloaded a program that some how disabled my explorer.exe prosses from running on start up. Trojan. This peice of information saved me time and suffering.
Thanks again!
Nick

Reply to NICKSP

11

aly, on Feb 27, 2009 11:16:46 pm GMT
  • +8

I tried n tred but nothing happen plz tell me what to do i been tryig to do this for about three mouth hlep anyone plz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:{

Reply to aly

34

incredulous, on May 11, 2009 11:30:58 am BST
  • +4

Folks, I am amazed that I found this discussion thread. I had the same problems and the suggestions for solving the problem worked! I have yet to reboot my computer though -- let's see if this problem persists! Many thanks.

Reply to incredulous

8

Lindz, on Feb 8, 2009 2:25:53 am GMT
  • +8

I also had a similar problem and this fixed it. Couldn't have done it without you! You are awesome!

Reply to Lindz

9

K, on Feb 8, 2009 3:51:31 am GMT
  • +3

Do you guys know if after running explorer.exe the virus may still be on the computer? Should I still get my computer checked out? Periodically, my task bar will blink on and off by itself.

Reply to K

10

BeccaBoo., on Feb 23, 2009 6:53:00 am GMT
  • +3

OMGGG THANK YOU D:

Reply to BeccaBoo.

12

aly, on Feb 27, 2009 11:21:09 pm GMT
  • +3

PPL THIS NOT WORKING FOR ME PLZ HLEP IM VERY MAD I NEED HLEP PLZ IDK WHAT TO DO ANY MORE IT SUCK WHAT EVERONE SAID IS WORGIN I NEED YOUR HLEP PLZ

Reply to aly

26

Chris, on Mar 17, 2009 4:05:26 pm GMT
  • +1

You may be out of harddrive space. Meaning your C: drive is really really low on memory. To fix this problem, I'm not really sure. but i would replace your memory (not ram) but your hard disk memory. (upgrade it) You're probably running at 0MB and your computer needs that memory to run. Only need a minimum of atleast 200mb. That is all the advice i can give, hope you get it working (if you havn't yet fixed it, this is probably an old post)

Reply to Chris

13

ICE, on Mar 9, 2009 3:47:02 pm GMT
  • +5

HOE TO START A NEW PROCESS

Reply to ICE

14

ALY, on Mar 9, 2009 8:06:35 pm GMT

WHAT HOE ????

Reply to ALY

16

ICE, on Mar 10, 2009 2:48:28 pm GMT

Dnt wry is ok

Reply to ICE

20

AERELIOUS, on Mar 12, 2009 1:57:47 am GMT

Thanx best solution!

Reply to AERELIOUS

21

mike, on Mar 14, 2009 6:51:37 am GMT
  • +4

Well i had a similar problem, i run vista and my background colr only and owner folder came up(the one with Documents, Pictures etc AKA exploer.exe) so i saw the tip to open task manger and start new task/run explorer.exe and everything popped up and worked great, but the next time i started it up i had to do it agin, this has happend 10 times now abouts and i keep havin to start explorer IDK WUT TO DO!!!! plz help me sumone i cant bear doin this every day!!!! i deleted a program i installed the day it first started happenin but that didnt work and a virus scan came up negative, THNX for any help!!!!

Reply to mike

35

justin, on May 12, 2009 1:17:15 am BST
  • +1

Had a similar problem for a long time now, im not sure if this would work but it did for me, ok what you do is go to your backup and restore system and check if your backup files is set ro run automatically, if it is turn it off

Reply to justin

22

tweety, on Mar 14, 2009 6:14:46 pm GMT
  • +4

Thanks a whole lot my computers back to normal!!!

Reply to tweety

36

bombom, on May 19, 2009 1:40:45 am BST

Thanks.. this suggestion really works

Reply to bombom

29

psychofreakj138, on Apr 9, 2009 11:14:38 pm BST

I cant get my task manager to show up either. ive tried restarting in safe mode but when i log in admin it opens saves and takes me back to sign in screen so i cant do anything through safemode either. any other suggestions

Reply to psychofreakj138

38

cac, on Jun 27, 2009 2:37:21 pm BST
  • +4

I can't even get to that part of the computer. My desktop screen saver shows up but no START task bar or icons. I can roll the mouse around and click but nothing. If I double click too much it freezes the mouse and I have to start all over.
Can anyone help?

Reply to cac

44

hopeless, on Jul 30, 2009 7:25:44 am BST

When i try to open a new tast on task manager and put in "explorer.exe" it tells me that windows cannot acess it and that it may not have permission to acces it? can you pleaaaaaase help!! im currently in the safe mode trying to figure it out, i called technical support and id have to pay alot of money to get it fixed, it would be EXTRELEMY appreciated if you could help!

Reply to hopeless

48

bibo, on Aug 8, 2009 6:52:12 am BST
  • +1

When i type explorer.exe my documents appears nothing else.

Reply to bibo

50

joyce, on Aug 14, 2009 5:20:38 am BST

What id there's no explorer.exe on the processes thing?

Reply to joyce

55

 Adin, on Oct 18, 2009 1:07:19 pm BST
  • +1

Jak you are definately the sh*t, I had got a virus last night and my computer crashed. After having Mcafee find the lil f*cker and quarantine its ass I was having this same problem. Low and behold there are geniuses out there like you, seriously bro thanx for helpin me out.

Reply to Adin

28

bob, on Apr 6, 2009 12:44:29 am BST

Go to bt junkie and download bt junkie tool bar and when you download it it will be store on the top of internet screen go to browse on the tool bar and pick software and it will be there you need to download u torrent aswell

Reply to bob

31

Rhys, on Apr 19, 2009 10:18:09 am BST

Oh I Know That virus

get rid of it quickly before it attacks your computer

When starting your computer hold in F8 and select safe mode

run your antivirus program and do a scan
that will remove it

www.rhysit.tk

Reply to Rhys

3

Andy, on Dec 29, 2008 11:27:25 pm GMT
  • +2

Hi had a similar problem yesterday....and i was working the whole day through task manager!

It did strike me later that last night i did run quickheal antivirus before going to bed and it might hv deleted some system files considering it to be virus!

in my case the file "svchost.exe" was quarantined by quick heal,so i restored it back.

now after restarting the computer, the desktop and other icons are showing up!

Hope this helps.

-Andy

Reply to Andy

32

singaraju, on May 5, 2009 1:25:13 am BST
  • +3

Sir quick heel antivirus remove svc host .exe how to restore svchost.exe

Reply to singaraju

5

KidGamer, on Jan 17, 2009 5:27:14 pm GMT
  • +1

Ok how you fix it is you reebot your computer and then you push f8 keep pushing it till and screen shows up that says
safe mood at top then go to it then it will go into safe mood then go into admin and delete the programe you wont to that you think was problem this is so u can only delete the programes not to use your programe note: when your done restart your computer and log in normal and then Poof! it should work if not your s.o.l Shit outa luck

Reply to KidGamer

6

CW, on Feb 2, 2009 3:06:44 am GMT

If I do F8, how do I know what filee to remove?

Reply to CW

15

zazoo, on Mar 9, 2009 10:32:30 pm GMT
Reply to zazoo

45

Hegge, on Aug 2, 2009 6:10:09 pm BST
  • +1

In case anyone is interested, I had a slightly different version of the problem than the one described in the other thread. Under the registry key

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

the value for Shell was "Explorer.exe C:\Windows\Config\csrss.exe". However the path C:\Windows\Config didn't even exist. I removed the later part and changed it to just "Explorer.exe" which solved the problem for me. My guess is that this was a virus that was removed by the anti-virus software, but it didn't correct the registry.

Reply to Hegge

17

helppl0x, on Mar 10, 2009 9:29:32 pm GMT
  • +1

Ye im having this problem but i cant open task manager or anything else

Reply to helppl0x

18

ultraz_1908, on Mar 10, 2009 10:12:01 pm GMT

Use this tool...working for Windows Vista and Xp...
"TuneUp Utilities 2009"
download now
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 . . .

Good luck !

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

Reply to ultraz_1908

19

vas85, on Mar 10, 2009 11:36:33 pm GMT
  • +2

Check what programs you have installed recently.

What I would suggest is uninstalling any recently installed programs, ensure your pc is not connected to any networks and then see what happens.

I had this same issue on a clean-boot after isntalling SAV 10.1.5 Corporate the system wouldn't show the icons/start menu etc as it was corrupting explorer.exe.

Opening the task manager and creating a new explorer.exe and ending the one that appeared to be stuck in memory I would then see some icons but the computer's HDD would then skyrocket and it would literally hang.

Booting into safe mode, enabling the Windows Installer Servic and uninstalling SAV 10.1.5 then rebooting did magic. System is totally responsive and runs fantastic.

Reply to vas85

23

sam, on Mar 15, 2009 4:57:03 pm GMT

Sue thank you your info was so helpful u saved me plenty of money

Reply to sam

24

krit, on Mar 16, 2009 11:20:14 am GMT
  • +1

I think this would help your problem...

1>there is no taskbar and icon and can`t righ click only the taskmanager....
ans= CTRL+ALT+DELETE: taskmanager would show up...
2>what will do next....
ans= go to shutdown... at the top...
3>then?
ans=logoff owner...
4>system had log off... become blue screen and profile came out...
next> click the profile... and it will come back...

Sorry for some wrong grammar... im a filipino and im not using english always...
hope this help...

Reply to krit

25

mike, on Mar 17, 2009 1:09:42 am GMT
  • +2

Well all these methods of starting a new task etc work but u still have to do it everyday .As was my case!! but an easy way to get rid of any problems (especially easy with vista) is to to a system reapir/restore to a previus restore piont (which is usually about 3-8 days b4 the day u do the restore, often after an automatic update from windows.), This option wont affect any documents it may just remove any programs or glitches that are affecting the computer. this has helped my frends family and i many times from strange glitches or even removing a virus. so if u really hate doin sumn rediculous each time u boot up then just get the cd ur comp. came with and do a repair/restore. good luck!!

Reply to mike

27

DarkMood, on Mar 30, 2009 5:54:31 pm BST

Okay. One solution is to follow the Windows Task Manager then from there click on File -> New Task (run) -> Browse -> C drive -> Program Files folder -> Internet Explorer Folder -> Internet Explorer.exe and run it.
Now your connected to the web and go to http://www.malwarebytes.org and download Malwarebytes -> Install it -> Updated it -> Run it -> Reboot -> Run it in safe mode if that didnt work. That should be one viable way. Also from the Windows Task Manager you can run any anti-virus, anti-malware, or anti-spyware virus program that you have on your own system. So you do have a way into your system.
Hope that helps

Reply to DarkMood

30

Rhys, on Apr 19, 2009 10:15:23 am BST
  • +2

Ok This Is where i am experienced at, either you can:

1. Go alt+Ctrl+Delete at the same time and wait for a box to open
2. when the box is open Click "file" at the top and then Click "New Task (Run...)"
3. When you get another small box with something to type in, type in "explorer.exe" (without the ")
4. Your Taskbar and Icons will now load, If not your computer is corrupt. If that happens take your computer to your local IT Guy and ask Him to install explorer for you because it is corrupt


Or you Can do This : (You Have to know a bit about your computer)

1. Go to Run Like in Above
2. Now instead of typing "explorer" type in http://www.google.co.za (or any other web address)
3. Your Default web browser should open. Now type in in the top "C:\" (without ") and your files should open. dont do anything yet
4. Now go Alt+Ctrl+Del and click on the tab "Processes" Find Explorer.exe in that list and click end process.
5. Now In Alt+Ctrl+Del click on the tab "Applications" and end your browser, Normally "Internet Explorer.exe"
6. Restart By going to Alt+Ctrl+Del and clicking "shut down" at the top.
7. This Refreshes your computer and maybe when you have finished restarting you can have your old pc back


P.S If google loads go to http://www.exenerd.com/exe.php?seed=Explorer.exe at the top and download and run the software. it will make your computer work





www.rhysit.tk

Reply to Rhys

33

End of story xD, on May 5, 2009 9:29:35 am BST
  • +1

Guys thank you for ur expertizzz. We thank you u all for the great help.

***REVISE***
Guys if u have vista or xp esy way is this.
1) CTRL+ALT+DEL = Task manager. AFter that add explorer.exe (For vista press file and ad task xD) (for xp srry no idea xD) then it should work xD. AFTER THAT DELETE THE FILE U MIGHT THIN HAS IT OR SCAN UOR COMPUTER.
---------VIsta only or xp (i have no idea cant remeber----------
RESTORE UR COMPUTER FROM LAST RESTORE POINT xD
------------------------------------------------------------­----------
NOte: BACKUP UR FILES.

Reply to End of story xD

37

tman, on May 22, 2009 2:32:53 pm BST
  • +1

Thank you..Thank you.. Thank you..Worked like a charm

Reply to tman

39

Rubedo, on Jun 30, 2009 9:36:55 pm BST

Thnx love u guys

Reply to Rubedo

40

Carson, on Jul 16, 2009 6:02:50 am BST

Yes the open up processes and start a new task explorer.exe works!
ty ily forever!!
Ok people it took me awhile to figure this out but to start a new process when your in processes tab go to new and it says something like new task. go there and yah it works :D

Reply to Carson

41

ball981, on Jul 23, 2009 3:17:44 pm BST

Googledesktopsearch.exe does that as well, remove it and reinstall it will fix the problem for those of you explorer.exe do not help.

Reply to ball981