If you once turned on your computer or laptop, but during the usual Windows boot XP, 7 or 8, all shortcuts, icons, even the start menu and taskbar disappeared on the desktop. This can also happen due to viruses or accidental deletion. system files or registry data. In this article, we have collected the main ways to solve the problem of restoring the display of shortcuts on the desktop.
Solution to the problem:
1. Explorer.exe file is missing
The fact is that the explorer.exe process is responsible for external display in Windows, and if you press CTRL+ALT+DEL, or CTRL+SHIFT+ESC to launch the task manager, it is missing in the “processes” tab. This could happen due to the action of viruses. If you try to start the task manager, but no response occurs, try restarting the computer in safe mode(F8 key while Windows is loading) and try again.
To solve the problem, the first thing you need to do is determine whether the explorer.exe file remains on the system at all so that it can be launched. This can be done without Explorer, using the command line.
In the task manager, click "File - New task" and enter "cmd" there; Enter the command there:
C:\Windows\explorer.exe
if your OS is installed on another drive, then instead of C:\ enter the drive on which you have the system installed).
If you don’t know what disk the system is installed on, then command line enter:
%windir%\explorer.exe
in this case, the system itself will substitute required disk on which it is installed.
If, as a result, all desktop icons and the taskbar appear, then the explorer.exe file has not been deleted from the computer and most likely you will only need to correct a few registry files.
If you see an error message that such a file does not exist, then you will need to copy the explorer.exe file to the Windows system folder yourself. If explorer.exe itself generated the error, then delete it:
DEL C:\Windows\explorer.exe
2. Check icon display function
Let's start with the simplest. You need to check the option that disables the display of icons on the desktop:
For Windows 2000
- In the menu that opens, select “Active Desktop”;
For Windows XP
- Click right click mice on the desktop;
- In the menu that opens, select “Arrange icons”;
- In the expanded submenu, next to the item “Display desktop icons” there should be a checkmark. If there is no checkmark, then click on this item.
For Windows Vista and 7
- Right-click on the desktop;
- In the menu that opens, select “View”;
- In the expanded submenu, next to the item “Display desktop icons” there should be a checkmark. If there is no checkmark, then click on this item.
3. The file explorer.exe is on the computer
To launch the Registry Editor, click “file->new task” in the task manager again and enter the “regedit” command. Next you need to do the following:
- In the Registry Editor, select: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon. Then look at the right panel. The Shell parameter value must be Explorer.exe. If it is not, change it to Explorer.exe.
- We are trying to find: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options. If there is a subsection explorer.exe or iexplorer.exe, delete it (right-click -> Delete).
After this, restart your computer. If this still does not help, then perhaps explorer.exe is damaged and should still be replaced.
4. Explorer.exe file was not found on the computer
If you have an installation disk for your Windows, then you can find the explorer.ex_ file right there in the i386 folder, rename it explorer.exe and use it. You can rename in any file manager, or you can go to the control panel, select folder properties -> view there, and uncheck the box next to “hide file extensions”. If not, then you will have to find a computer with the same Windows as yours and copy the file from there from the Windows folder.
We copy the resulting file, for example, to the root directory of your flash drive and insert it into the broken computer. Run the cmd command line on it again. We consider what kind of media the inserted flash drive is (this will be the last available disk). There we enter the command “E:”, or “F:”, or another... (depending on what kind of disk the flash drive is). Next, if explorer.exe is in the root folder, enter the command:
copy explorer.exe C:\Windows
copy explorer.exe %WINDIR%
As a result, it should be written that 1 file was successfully copied.
Restart your computer and everything should work.
These are the most basic simple ways to solve this problem. If that doesn’t work, you can also try to restore the system, but the most effective way is, of course, to reinstall Windows.
5. System Restore
If method No. 2 gives an error that the explorer.exe file was not found or the problem remains after a reboot, then you should try to perform a system restore:
- In the “Start” menu, open sequentially: “Programs” - “Accessories” - “System Tools”
- In the "Utilities" menu, click on "System Restore". Note. If there is no such item, then follow these steps: in the “Start” menu, select “Run”. In the open field, type the command %SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe and click “OK”;
- In the “System Restore” window, on the right side of the window, select “Restore your computer to an earlier state” and click the “Next” button;
- In the calendar, select the day in which there is a checkpoint, such days are highlighted in bold. Choose a day on which your computer worked normally, i.e. if you remember that three days ago the computer started normally, then select a point that was three days ago. If there are no control points, then most likely you have disabled the option to create control points and you will have to proceed to method No. 4.
- Having selected the day, click the “Next” button;
- We listen to the advice written in the window (written in red) and click the “Next” button;
- We are waiting for the process to complete;
6. Registry fix
If system restore does not help, then you will have to go into the system registry:
- On your keyboard, press and hold the Ctrl+Alt+Delete buttons;
- In the Manager window Windows tasks", go to the "Applications" tab;
- On this tab, click the “New task...” button;
- In the “Create a new task” window, in the “Open” field, type the regedit command and click the “OK” button;
- In the “Registry Editor” window on the left side, sequentially expand the registry keys to the “Image File Execution Options” section: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/WindowsNT/CurrentVersion/Image File Execution Options/
- Expand the “Image File Execution Options” section and look for the “explorer.exe” and “iexplorer.exe” subsections. If any of the subsections are found, then it must be deleted.
- Right-click on the subsection and in the menu that opens, select “Delete”;
- When asked to confirm deletion, click the “Yes” button;
- Now let’s check the launch parameters of explorer.exe; to do this, expand the registry keys to the “Winlogon” section: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/WindowsNT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon/
- Left-click on the “Winlogon” section and in the right part of the Registry Editor window we find the “Shell” parameter;
- Right-click on this parameter and select the “Change” menu item;
- In the “Change string parameter” window, the value field should say explorer.exe and nothing else, if this is not the case, then correct it;
- Click OK, close all windows and restart your computer
7. Recovering hidden shortcuts on the desktop
The “hidden” attribute may have been set on all folders and files on the desktop. To check whether this is true or not, go to “Start -> Control Panel -> Folder Options”, open the “View” tab, go to the end of the list of options and set the “Hidden files and folders” switch to the “Show hidden files and folders” position .
If after this the contents of the desktop begin to be displayed, then to restore the display of your shortcuts, files and folders you need to remove the “hidden” attribute from them. This can be done as follows:
We go to “Start -> Run”, write “cmd” there and click “Ok” - the command line should start.
Remove the “hidden” attribute from all files and folders on a shared desktop with this command (you may need administrator rights for this):
attrib /D /S -h “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%/Desktop/*”
Now make all files and folders on your desktop unhidden with this command:
attrib /D /S -h “%USERPROFILE%/Desktop/*”
Just in case, click on an empty space on the desktop and press F5 to refresh the desktop.
If previously missing icons, files and folders from the desktop are no longer faded in color, then they are no longer hidden and you can set “Do not show hidden files and folders” in the “Folder Options” window.
Some users experience all icons disappearing from the computer screen. The “Start” button begins to work not in the usual mode, but to show tiles. Then they often say that the desktop has disappeared in Windows 10. Let's deal with this problem.
Reasons for loss
Most often, screen content disappears in Windows 10 due to system failures. If you install software unlicensed, downloaded from “left” sites, then no one can guarantee the continued functionality of the PC. The changes that such self-written programs make to the system and registry are not traceable, and often not logical.
In addition, they can carry viruses that are copied into your system and begin to take over it. The result is also unpredictable - not only shortcuts, but also folders will disappear.
What is a "Desktop"?
Visually this Windows screen, which we see in front of us after loading. By analogy with a real table, the most important and necessary tools are stored on it - shortcuts.
In the system, all these resources are located in the user folder, on system disk. And the explorer.exe program manages the directory, creating the interface we are familiar with. A failure in its operation results in the desktop disappearing.
What to do if your desktop disappears
First of all, try rebooting. Perhaps the system just needs to accept new rules after installing the programs. Moreover, everyone notices that rebooting using the power button on the system unit.
If this does not help and everything disappears on the screen, then you should try one of the steps below.
Starting a desktop process
Open the task manager (right mouse button on start or CTRL+ALT+DELETE). 
We need to start the explorer.exe process. To do this, in the “File” menu, select creating a new task. 
And enter the process name explorer.exe. 
If the desktop has disappeared due to a process stop, this will help. If the folder or program has been corrupted by a virus or Windows crash 10, then this will not help.
Restoring the operating system
How to get a worker back Windows table 10, if it disappeared after the update? You must log in in safe mode. For older versions of the OS, up to 8, just press F8 when loading. In Windows 10 or 8, we will use the parameters. The easiest way is to type msconfig in the search. 
If the failure also affects the taskbar, then press WIN + R and type in the line. 
On the "Boot" tab, select "Safe Mode". 
If you need a network, click on the dot next to the appropriate option. 
The second way is to reboot through the parameters. Will work if the main menu is not damaged. Click Start and the gear icon, then go to Update & Security. 
In the Recovery area, click Restart Now. 
Then sequentially select “Diagnostics” - “ Extra options" - "Download options". All this will appear when loading. Finally you will be given a choice. 
Press the function button F4, F5 or F6 depending on the desired selection.
Restore your system in Safe Mode. To do this, go to the settings again and select “Update and Security”. Next is “Recovery”. 
Click the “Start” button. 
Attention! It is better to restore the system in safe mode. In this configuration, all executable installed files, startup is cleared and you have a better chance of restoring Windows.
You will be given a choice. Usually the files are saved, but if the system is severely damaged, then choose deletion. 
The system will notify you about the applications being removed. 
And then the system recovery will follow.
Registry configuration
The Registry is the system's repository for all Windows connections. When you install the software, new data is written to it. Any failure leads to key violations and we get problems like shortcuts and folders disappearing.
To open the registry, press WIN+R and type regedit. 
Follow the path
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/WindowsNT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon
Check the parameters:
- Shell – explorer.exe
- UserInit - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Userinit.exe
If yours is different, install the ones you need and reboot. Screen elements will no longer disappear.
Restoring shortcuts
Sometimes only the shortcuts disappear. This is easy to determine if Start works. Go to the settings and select the section responsible for the system. 
In the Tablet Mode area, turn off all the sliders. 
Also on the desktop, right-click and move the pointer to the “View” command. Check to see if the icon display option is disabled. If the checkbox is not checked, the shortcuts will disappear. 
Also be sure to check your computer for viruses.
Recovering individual items
The entire contents of the desktop does not always disappear completely. Sometimes you may miss a folder or shortcut you need.
Restoring the Start button
What to do if the bottom line and Start suddenly disappear on the desktop? To make it work again, we will re-register. To do this, run a new PowerShell task in Task Manager as an administrator. 
In it you need to type the command:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach (Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”)
Press Enter. After the command finishes working, reboot the computer again.
We return the cart if it is lost
This tool allows us to remove unnecessary or restore deleted system elements. Let's figure out how to get the Recycle Bin back if it has disappeared from the Windows 10 desktop. Right-click on an empty space on the screen and select “Personalize.” 
Under Themes, find desktop icon options. 
Check the box next to the cart. 
What to do if the Recycle Bin has disappeared from the Windows XP or Vista desktop and needs to be restored? Use the editor group policy. Go to Start, select Run and type gpedit.msc. Then go to the following path:
User Configuration-Administrative Templates-Desktop
On the right, you will see the option “Remove Trash icon from desktop.” 
By right-clicking and opening “Edit”, you should set the “Not specified” option. 
Be sure to reboot.
A folder has disappeared from the desktop: how to find and restore it
This can happen due to a change in screen resolution - the folders disappear because they are simply not visible. Select the View command by right-clicking on the work area of the screen and execute the “Arrange icons automatically” command. 
Also check which user you are logged in as. Folders are visible only to the person who created them. Click on start and on the top three stripes (menu). Search for the user. Change it if necessary.
The folder may have disappeared because it was deleted. Open the trash and search through it. Restore if necessary. 
Also, folders disappear if they are hidden. Open File Explorer and click on View. There, check the box next to hidden elements. 
Why does the picture disappear from the desktop?
And finally, we’ll tell you how to deal with the situation when the Windows 10 desktop background has disappeared. The reason is Windows activation. If you have an unlicensed operating system, then during updates an activation key is searched. If this procedure fails, the settings will be reset and screen elements will disappear.
So, if the picture is missing, then follow the path:
Computer Configuration-Administrative Templates-Windows Components-Center Windows updates
Here we need "Settings" automatic update». 
Select the "Edit" command again and click on the "Disabled" option. 
After this, you will get rid of updates and the desktop background will not disappear. And to be on the safe side, consider purchasing Windows licenses 10.
We told you what to do if your desktop disappears in Windows 10. We hope the information will help you.
Have a great day!
The desktop has disappeared: shortcuts and the taskbar from the Start menu do not appear.
What to do if shortcuts and the taskbar from the “START” menu disappeared from the desktop...
The article is applicable for Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7.
Requirements.
To perform the actions specified in this article, you must have local administrator rights on the computer. The article is applicable for Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7.
Information.
If the desktop does not appear when the computer boots, i.e. instead of the usual shortcuts and taskbar, only the background image is displayed on the screen, then most likely your computer has been attacked by viruses (unless, of course, you have broken something yourself).
Desktop recovery.
Attention!
Before performing the steps listed in this article, check your computer for viruses. Otherwise, you will correct errors, and after a reboot the viruses will again do everything as they need.
Method No. 1.
Let's start with the simplest. You need to check the option that disables the display of icons on the desktop:
Windows 2000.
2. In the menu that opens, select \”Active Desktop”\;
Windows XP.
1. Right-click on the desktop;
2. In the menu that opens, select the item \"Arrange icons"\;
3. In the expanded submenu, next to the item \"Display desktop icons\" there should be a checkmark. If there is no checkmark, then click on this item.
Windows Vista
.
1. Right-click on the desktop;
2. In the menu that opens, select \”View”\;
3. In the expanded submenu, next to the item \"Display desktop icons\" there should be a checkmark. If there is no checkmark, then click on this item.
Note. The result will not appear immediately, but with a delay of 3 - 10 seconds, it all depends on the performance of the computer and its clutter.
Method No. 2.
If method No. 1 did not help, then we try to start the explorer.exe process manually. One of its tasks is to display the desktop:
1. On the keyboard, press and hold the \"Ctrl" \and \"Alt"\ buttons, and then press the \"Delete\" button;
2. In the \"Windows Task Manager\" window, go to the \"Applications\" tab;
3. On this tab, click the \"New task"\ button;
4. In the \"Create a new task"\ window\ in the \"Open"\ field, type the command explorer.exe and click \"OK"\;
5. Restart your computer;
Method No. 3 - For Windows XP/Vista only.
If method No. 2 gives an error that the explorer.exe file was not found or the problem remains after a reboot, then you should try to perform a system restore:
1. In the \"Start"\ menu, open sequentially:
\"Programs"\ » \"Standard"\ » \"Service"\
2. In the \"Service"\ menu, click on the item \"System Restore"\;
Note. If there is no such item, then follow these steps:
- From the \"Start"\ menu, select \"Run"\;
- In the open field, type the command %SystemRoot%\\system32\\restore\\rstrui.exe
- click the \"OK"\ button;
3. In the \"System Restore"\ window on the right side of the window, select \"Restoring your computer to an earlier state\" and press the button \"Further"\;
4. In the calendar, select the day in which there is a checkpoint, such days are highlighted in bold;
Note. Choose a day on which your computer worked normally, i.e. if you remember that three days ago the computer started normally, then select a point that was three days ago. If there are no control points, then most likely you have disabled the option to create control points and you will have to proceed to method No. 4.
At the same time, read the article \"Enabling and disabling system recovery in Windows XP"\.
Method No. 4.
If system restore does not help, then you will have to go into the system registry:
1. On the keyboard, press and hold the buttons \"Ctrl"\ And \"Alt"\ and then click the button \"Delete"\;
2. In the \"Windows Task Manager\" window, go to the tab \"Applications"\;
3. On this tab, click the button \"New task..."\;
4. In the \"Create a new task\" window in the \"Open"\ field, enter the command regedit and press the button \"OK"\;
5. In the \"Registry Editor\" window on the left side, sequentially expand the registry keys to the section \"Image File Execution Options"\:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/WindowsNT/CurrentVersion/Image File Execution Options/
6. Expand the \"Image File Execution Options\" section and look for the \"explorer.exe"\ and \"iexplorer.exe"\ subsections;
If any of the subsections are found, then it must be deleted.
7. Right-click on the subsection and in the menu that opens, select the item \"Delete"\;
8. When asked to confirm deletion, press the button \"Yes"\;
9. Now let’s check the launch parameters explorer.exe, to do this, expand the registry keys to the section \"Winlogon"\:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/WindowsNT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon/
10. Left-click on the section \"Winlogon"\ and in the right part of the registry editor window we find the parameter \"Shell"\;
11. Right-click on this parameter and select the menu item \"Change"\;
12. In the \"Change string parameter"\ window, the value should be written explorer.exe and nothing more, if it is not so, then correct it;
13. Press the button \"OK"\, close all windows and restart your computer;
Article taken from open sources: http://www.pc-problems.ru/index.php?s=4&idk=17&idpk=23&ida=128
Sometimes this happens when, when you go to the computer desktop, you suddenly see that all the icons are missing. Let's find out what this may be related to and what ways we can correct the situation.
Disappearance of desktop icons can happen for a variety of reasons. First of all, it is quite possible that specified function manually deactivated standard means. The problem may also be caused by a process failure. The possibility of a virus infection of the system should not be discounted.
Method 1: Recovering after physically deleting icons
First of all, let's consider such a banal option as physical removal icons This situation can happen, for example, if you are not the only person with access to this computer. Badges can be removed by an ill-wisher simply to annoy you, or simply by accident.
- To check this, try creating a new shortcut. Right-click ( RMB) in place on the desktop. From the list, select "Create", then click "Label".
- In the shortcut creation shell, click "Review…".
- The File and Folder Browser tool will launch. Select any object in it. For our purposes, it doesn't matter which one. Click "OK".
- Then press "Further".
- In the next window, click "Ready".
- If the shortcut appears, it means that all icons that previously existed have been physically removed. If the shortcut does not appear, this means that the problem should be looked for elsewhere. Then try to solve the problem using the methods discussed below.
- But is it possible to recover deleted shortcuts? It’s not a fact that it will work out, but there is a chance. Call the shell "Run" typing Win+R. Enter:
shell:RecycleBinFolder
Click "OK".
- A window opens "Baskets". If you see missing labels there, consider yourself lucky. The point is that when standard deletion, the files are not completely deleted, but are initially sent to "Basket". If, in addition to icons, in "Basket" there are other elements, then select the ones you need by clicking on them with the left mouse button ( LMB) and simultaneously holding down Ctrl. If in "Basket" If only the objects to be restored are located, then you can select all the contents by clicking Ctrl+A. After this, click RMB by allocation. Select from the menu "Restore".
- The icons will return to the desktop.
But what if "Basket" was it empty? Unfortunately, this means that the objects have been completely deleted. Of course, you can try to perform recovery by using special utilities. But this will be akin to shooting sparrows from a cannon and will take a lot of time. It will be faster to create frequently used shortcuts manually again.
Method 2: Enable icon display in the standard way
The display of desktop icons can be disabled manually. This could be done by another user as a joke, by small children, or even by mistake by you. The easiest way to fix this situation is.
Method 3: Start the explorer.exe process
Icons on the desktop may also disappear due to the fact that the explorer.exe process is not running on the PC. The specified process is responsible for the work "Windows Explorer", that is, for the graphic display of almost all elements of the system, except for wallpaper, including desktop shortcuts. The main sign that the reason for the absence of icons lies precisely in the disabling of explorer.exe is that there will also be no icons on the monitor. "Task bar" and other controls.
Disabling this process can happen for many reasons: system failures, incorrect interaction with third-party software, virus penetration. We will look at how to reactivate explorer.exe so that the icons return to their original place.
Method 4: Fixing the system registry
If using the previous method it was not possible to activate explorer.exe or if after restarting the computer it disappeared again, then the problem of missing icons may be due to problems in the registry. Let's see how we can fix them.
Since manipulations with records in system registry, we strongly advise you before moving on to specific actions, or her.
- To go to "Registry Editor" apply the combination Win+R to call the tool "Run". Enter:
Click "OK" or Enter.
- A shell called "Registry Editor", in which you will need to perform a series of manipulations. To navigate through registry sections, use the tree-shaped navigation menu, which is located on the left side of the editor window. If the list of registry keys is not visible, then click on the name "Computer". A list of the main registry keys will open. Go by name "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE". Next click "SOFTWARE".
- A very large list of sections opens. You need to find the name in it "Microsoft" and click on it.
- Again a long list of sections opens. Find in it "WindowsNT" and click on it. Next, go by name "CurrentVersion" And "Image File Execution Options".
- A large list of subsections opens again. Look for subsections with the name "iexplorer.exe" or "explorer.exe". The point is that these subsections should not be here. If you find both or one of them, then these subsections should be deleted. To do this, click on the name RMB. From the drop-down list, select "Delete".
- After this, a dialog box appears asking whether you really want to delete the selected subsection with all its contents. Click "Yes".
- If only one of the above subsections is present in the registry, then for the changes to take effect, you can immediately restart the computer, having first saved all unsaved documents in open programs. If there is a second unwanted subsection in the list, then in this case, first delete it, and only then reboot.
- If the actions taken did not help or you did not find the unwanted sections discussed above, then in this case you need to check another registry subsection - "Winlogon". It is in the section "CurrentVersion". We have already talked about how to get there above. So, select the name of the subsection "Winlogon". After this, go to the right main part of the window, where the string parameters of the selected section are located. Look for the string parameter "Shell". If you don’t find it, then with a high degree of probability we can say that this is the cause of the problem. Click on any free space on the right side of the shell RMB. In the list that appears, click "Create". In the additional list, select "String parameter".
- In the generated object, instead of the name « New parameter…» drive in "Shell" and click Enter. Then you need to make a change in the properties of the string parameter. Double click on the name LMB.
- The shell starts "Changing a string parameter". Enter in the field "Meaning" record "explorer.exe". Then click Enter or "OK".
- After that, in the list of registry key parameters "Winlogon" the string parameter should be displayed "Shell". In field "Meaning" will stand "explorer.exe". If everything is so, then you can restart your PC.
But there are cases when a string parameter exists in the right place, but the field "Meaning" empty or it corresponds to a name other than "explorer.exe". In this case, you need to perform the following actions.
Method 5: Antivirus scan
If these methods solutions to the problem did not help, then there is a possibility that the computer is infected with viruses. In this case, you need to perform a system check antivirus utility. For example, you can use a program that has proven itself very well in such cases. It is recommended to perform the scan not from a theoretically infected computer, but from another machine. Or use a bootable flash drive for this purpose. This is due to the fact that when performing an operation from an already infected system, there is a high probability that the antivirus will not be able to detect the threat.
During the scanning procedure and if malicious code is detected, follow the recommendations given by antivirus utility in the dialog box. After virus removal is complete, you may need to activate the explorer.exe process via "Task Manager" And "Registry Editor" in the ways discussed above.
Method 6: Rollback to a restore point or reinstall the OS
If none of the methods discussed above helped, then you can try to roll back to the last system restore point. An important condition is the presence of such a recovery point at the time when the icons were displayed normally on the desktop. If a restore point was not created during this period, then you will not be able to solve the problem this way.
If you still haven’t found a suitable restore point on your computer or rolling back to it didn’t help solve the problem, then in this case the most radical way out of the situation remains – reinstallation operating system. But this step should be approached only when all other possibilities have been tested and have not given the expected result.
As you can see from this lesson, there are quite a few different reasons why desktop icons may disappear. Each reason, naturally, has its own way to solve the problem. For example, if the display of icons was disabled in the settings standard methods, then no manipulations with processes in "Task Manager" They won't help you put the labels back in place. Therefore, first of all, you need to establish the cause of the problem, and only then start solving it. It is recommended to search for the causes and perform recovery manipulations in exactly the order presented in this article. You should not immediately reinstall the system or roll it back, because the solution can be very simple.
Usually the shortcuts appear after a short delay. But sometimes, even after some time, there is nothing on the screen except the splash screen. Why did the Windows 7 desktop disappear? What to do? Let's try to identify and solve the problem.
Icon display disabled
In all new versions of the OS, personalization settings allow you to completely disable the display of shortcuts. If you are not the only one using the computer, there is a chance that someone else did it accidentally. This is the simplest and most harmless reason explaining why the WIndows 7 desktop disappeared. What to do?
Right-click anywhere on the screen. Find in context menu"View" tab. Make sure that the display of shortcuts is turned on - there should be a check mark next to the corresponding item.
Shortcuts have been marked as hidden
It is almost impossible to do this by accident, so in this case, most likely, someone decided to play a joke on you. Icons and folders marked as hidden are still there, but are not displayed by default. If you have lost shortcuts and icons in Windows 7 for this very reason, first of all you need to enable the display of hidden elements. To do this, go to the "Control Panel" and open "Folder Options". In the list on the "View" tab, you need to scroll through the list of parameters and turn on the display hidden files and folders (there should be a checkmark next to the corresponding item). If the shortcuts appear, all that remains is to remove the “hidden” attribute in the properties.
The system has moved the items to the "Unused Shortcuts" folder
This is another one possible reason, explaining why the desktop disappeared. Windows 7 can automatically clean the desktop and, at certain intervals, remove from the workspace those icons that you do not use.
By default, the "Unused Shortcuts" folder should be displayed on the desktop (if not, you can find it through the search). If this is your case, it will be enough to simply move the necessary shortcuts back. After this, you should disable cleaning. To do this, open the screen properties, find the “Desktop” tab and click “Settings…”. You just need to uncheck the box next to “Clean up every 60 days” and save the changes. Although the advice to check the "Trash" may seem stupid to many, we recommend doing so. In practice, it often happens that shortcuts were simply deleted.
The file explorer.exe is missing
Now let's talk about more complex options when it becomes unclear why the Windows 7 desktop disappeared. What to do if the above tips did not help? Most likely, when the system boots, explorer.exe does not start, the process responsible for externally displaying the system. To check this, go to Task Manager > Processes (Ctrl+Shift+Del) and try to find explorer. Sometimes when you try to open the manager, nothing happens. In this case, start Windows in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 button during boot and try again.
In the manager menu, select "File", click "New task" and in the window that appears, enter In the window that opens, you need to enter the path to the file (by default it is in Windows folder, located on drive C:). If the shortcuts appear after this, it means the file is on the computer and you just need to fix a few registry errors.
What should I do if explorer.exe is missing from my computer and cannot be started? In this case, you will need your Windows installation disk.
- Open the disk from another PC and find the explorer.ex_ file in the i386 directory.
- Copy it anywhere and then change the extension to .EXE (to do this you just need to rename it).
- Write the finished file to a USB flash drive and connect it to your computer.
- Launch the cmd command line through the "Task Manager".
- Navigate to the files located on the flash drive. To do this, you need to enter the name of the disk (E:, D: or another).
- Copy the file to the system folder using the copy explorer.exe C:\\Windows command. If everything is done correctly, a message will appear indicating that the operation was successful.
- Restart your PC.
If installation disk no, you can copy explorer.exe from another computer to Windows 7.
Explorer.exe has disappeared from the registry
Let's talk in more detail about what to do if the Windows 7 desktop disappears due to registry errors. In this case, when you start the process through the "Task Manager", the shortcuts appear, but after restarting the computer they disappear again. This means that the launch conditions for explorer.exe are incorrectly written in the registry. Launch the Run application and type regedit. The Registry Editor will open. You need to find the following directory:
The Shell line should contain explorer.exe. If some other file is registered instead, or nothing at all, change the value of the parameter. Ready? Go ahead. Now we need to open another folder from the same directory.
If there is an explorer.exe (or iexplorer.exe) entry here, you need to delete it and then restart your PC. If the icons still don't appear, the file is likely corrupted and will need to be replaced.
System settings failed
Sometimes even after adding the file to the registry, the problem persists. This may indicate a glitch in the system settings. Fortunately, the "seven" has special application- "System Restore", which returns the computer to an earlier state. You can run it using the same Run program. To do this, you need to enter the command shown in the screenshot below.
The computer was infected with viruses
A trivial option is when your Windows 7 desktop has disappeared due to malware. You probably know what to do in this case. To open an antivirus, you can enter the full address of its executable file in the Run window (for example, C:\\Programs\Antivirus\antivirus.exe). It is recommended to scan your PC in Safe Mode. After scanning, delete all infected files and restart your computer.
Even if this does not help, the best solution is to simply reinstall Windows. Required files can be copied to a flash drive via the command line (of course, if you can remember their location).