Let's get down to it,
How to fix: No icons on the Windows XP Desktop. Blank Desktop. Desktop Icons Missing.
If you start up your computer and notice that all your Desktop Icons are Missing and you can only see the Wallpaper – do not panic.
This is how you can fix this problem:
NO ICONS ON DESKTOP, BUT START BUTTON AND TASKBAR ARE VISIBLE:
*.Right clickanywhere on the desktop – SelectArrange Icons byand make sure the optionShow Desktop Icons isChecked.
*.Right clickanywhere on the desktop – SelectProperties– Select theDesktopTab – Click onCustomize desktop– Click on theWebTab and make sure that the optionLock Desktop Itemsis not checked.
NO ICONS ON DESKTOP. NO START BUTTON AND NO TASKBAR:
This is due to the corruption of Explorer.exe
TO FIX THIS PROBLEM:
*.HitControl+Alt+Deland start up the Windows XPTask Manager.
*.Click onFileand selectNew Task (Run)and type inExplorerand hit<<Enter>>or click onOK
If that does not work, try this:
*.HitControl+Alt+Delon your keyboard and start up theWindows Task Manager
*.Click onFileand selectNew Taskand click on theBrowsebutton
*.Browse over toC:\WINDOWSfolder and
*.Right-click on the fileexplorer.exeand rename it toexplorer1.exe
*.Check if that fixes your problem. If it still doesn't then continue with the steps listed below:
*.NowClickon theCancelbutton and get back to theTask Manager.
*.In theTask Manager, click onFile->New Task (Run)and type inregeditand click onOKor hit<<Enter>>.This will open the Windows registry:
Here, locate the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
*.SelectWinlogonand in the right pane, you will see a value calledSHELL
*.Double-click onShell
*.In theValuedatabox, you should seeExplorer.exe
*.Rename it toExplorer1.exe
*.ClickOK
*.Exitthe Registry
*.Restartyour computer
This problem could be due to a number of reasons, butit usually happens due to virus activity in your computer. That's why, once your computer restarts, make sure you scan your computer with a good anti-virus program. There are manyfreewaresavailable on the web.Malwarebytes,Spybot-Search & Destroy,Superantispywareare a few of them.
If this does not fix the problem or if you think your computer is not working as it was before it happened, the next option would be toRepairthe Windows installation in your computer.
Having done that, it goes without saying that it is vital that you have a valid anti-virus/anti-spyware application running in your computer.
If nothing works, you do not have much of an option except doing a Clean Installation of Windows XP.
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