I really need help!!All the desktop icons have disappeared.....?

Question

I installed programs onto my computer and now when i start it the desktop icons, the start bar appear but then disappear instantly. I can only access the programs by task manager but im worried that its something that could harm the computer. What do i do to get those icons back?

i cant use the mouse to right click nor left click

Answer 1

it may or may not be a virus. if it is a virus get AVG Free 7.5 at http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html

and scan your computer. if not, right click on the screen, go to ARRANGE ICONS BY the select SHOW DESKTOP ICONS about two thirds of the way down

Answer 2

Hey man, an easy one. Just go to desktop right click your mouse button and select "arrange icons by" in the option select "show desktop Icons". This should work.
If this doesn't work try to restore them using control panel- display- background- customize icons.
The third choice is that you must restart explorer.exe.
This could also be a result of a spyware or anti-virus so try to have a anti-virus scan.

Answer 3

If youve lost programs etc you can restore your computer back to how it was at an earlier time. If youre in task manager, go to new task then browse to c:/windows/system32/restore/rs.... that will open up the system restore window, then click on the most recent date before the programs went missing. That should hopefully fix your problem

Answer 4

Go to start. Then shut down. While it's getting ready to reboot hit F8 at the top of your keyboard. It will sometimes do it automatically & othertimes it gives you a list. If it gives you a list hit LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIGURATION & it will automatically go back to the last time things were right. Sometimes in earlier windows you have to shut down & reopen in MSDOS mode. Then keep moving to the next page until you see a list where it says each time you were able to successfully go online & click on the most recent. That should clear everything up by one of those methods.

Answer 5

I guess they didn't read you don't have "Start" on your desktop. If this helps:

restart your computer. depending on your brand name you need to press F2, F8, F10, or F12 during the boot process. Older computers may use Ctrl and any of the F#'s.

you are trying to start your computer in safe-mode.
once in safe-mode you can try to restore your computer to before you put the software on it. If you have XP, press start, programs, accessories, system tools, system restore

If that doesn't work you will have to reinstall the operating system (XP, Windows 2000, or whatever you have) from your system cd that came with the computer...if your lucky you have a HP with it partioned on the hard drive

Answer 6

Just right-click on your desktop, then hold your mouse over "Arrange Icons by", then click on "Show Desktop Icons".

Answer 7

go to your windows directory --> system32 ---> restore --> then open rstrui.exe

This is the system restore utility for windows. You should have it enabled by default. Set the restore date to a known date that your machine was good. It will revert everything to how it was that day(it may delete "newer" stuff). Try antivirus.com and scan your harddrive to see if you have a virus. It is free and it is pretty effective. Good Luck.

Answer 8

really get an anti virus program like AVG and many more. If they
are updated, they can detect a virus. IF it is a virus. If not, for me you need help.

Answer 9

Try starting explorer.exe in task manager.