Member Avatar for dangerstick

i dont know if i placed it in the correct category,but im puzzled because my computer after startup doesnt have the icons only the wallpaper.. what the hell just happened?

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The symptom described by — just wallpaper after login — is a classic Windows desktop/shell problem. Replies from , and point toward the same areas (icon settings and the shell), so here are complementary checks and fixes that were not yet covered in the thread.

Check whether the Desktop files actually exist first. Open the profile Desktop folder (on modern Windows: C:\Users\<username>\Desktop; on XP-era systems: C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Desktop) and confirm shortcuts and files are present. If the folder is empty, the issue is likely a corrupted/redirected profile or a policy that moved the Desktop location. If the files are present but invisible, the problem is with the shell or icon rendering.

Do a focused system check next. Inspect the Winlogon Shell registry value at:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell
(back up the key first). Ensure the shell value points to the normal Windows shell. Also check for Group Policy settings that suppress desktop icons (User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Desktop) and verify whether the Desktop path is being redirected to a network location. To repair damaged system components, run System File Checker and, on Windows 8/10/11, DISM from an elevated prompt:

sfc /scannow

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

If those checks do not fix it, test with Safe Mode and with a newly created local user account to determine whether the problem is system-wide or limited to the profile. Run a full offline malware scan (for example, Microsoft Defender Offline or a reputable on-demand scanner) and consider System Restore to a point before the issue started. As noted, a temporary restart of the shell can restore the desktop; use the above steps to find and fix the root cause so the fix persists. Always export the registry and back up important files before making system or registry changes.

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Member Avatar for JoshuaReen

Which operation system you use? May be the icons are disabled in desktop properties. Is the right click woks on desktop?

Member Avatar for Rybins

If you're using Windows, does Ctrl+Alt+Del bring up the Task Manager?

Member Avatar for caperjack

does Ctrl+Alt+Del bring up the Task Manager?

this is an old thread ,but just to finish your suggestion ,in taks manager go to file /new task /and type in explorer.exe ,hit enter

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
Member Avatar for Rybins

Zactly!

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