Member Avatar for eyeamdaman1

When I need to open Internet Explorer on my Windows XP, I have to go through "My Computer" to find it. Why can't I get the normal IE icon on my desktop? Also, when I do access it through "My Computer" there is no address bar even though under Tools, the address bar has a check next to it. Any help would be appreciated.

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Short follow-up that may help future readers.

’s two symptoms — a missing desktop Internet Explorer icon and an Address Bar that shows “checked” but isn’t visible — are separate problems that often have different causes. The quick fixes from and resolve the usual, accidental cases (missing shortcut or a collapsed toolbar), but if the issue returns or those fixes don’t help, try the checks below.

Common, non-obvious causes and checks

  • A per-user toolbar layout can become corrupted so the Address Bar is enabled but has zero height; this is profile‑specific. Test by logging in as another user (or creating a temporary account).
  • IE launched in kiosk mode hides toolbars; check the shortcut’s Target to make sure it doesn’t include switches like -k.
  • Browser add‑ons or third‑party toolbars can move/disable UI elements; start IE without add‑ons using iexplore.exe -extoff (Start → Run) to see if an add‑on is responsible.
  • If core UI settings are corrupt, the per‑user toolbar layout can be reset by backing up and then removing the registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser (use Regedit with caution and export the key first).

Recovery options

  • If toolbars or menus remain broken, run sfc /scannow to repair system files or reinstall Internet Explorer from Add/Remove Programs → Add/Remove Windows Components (XP).
  • If malware or unwanted toolbars are suspected, run updated antivirus and an anti‑spyware scan, and test again in Safe Mode with Networking.
  • If everything works in a new user account, migrating to a fresh profile is often the cleanest long‑term fix.

These steps expand on the helpful replies already posted and give safe diagnostics for persistent or recurring cases.

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Member Avatar for steamwiz

A few things to try......

Go to My Computer\C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer and right click the Iexplore.exe file.....click "create shortcut" then drag and drop the shortcut to the desktop.

Double-click the shortcut to open up a page in Internet Explorer .......Now go to the Toolbar that you do have and right click it....untick "lock the toolbars" if ticked.

Move the cursor to the bottom edge of the toolbar (until it turns into the cursor with 2 lines) then grab the line and pull it down.

Once you have the toolbars as you want them....right click them and lock them again

steam

Member Avatar for caperjack

Right click on you desktop / properties /desktop/custiomize desktop and check off the icons you want to appear on the desktop .

Member Avatar for eyeamdaman1

Thanks for the help. That worked.

Member Avatar for steamwiz

Which ?

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