Lost desktop windows 7 how to recover. The system moved items to the "Unused Labels" folder

The order on the desktop is very good. All folders are in their places, labels are arranged on a grid, there is nothing superfluous. But sometimes such an “order” can appear unexpectedly and scare the user a lot, especially if all the shortcuts and even the taskbar disappear along with the Start button. To solve this problem, it is useful to know how to restore the desktop on Windows 7.

You decided to install Windows 7, made your wish come true, actively used the system, and suddenly, the next time you turned on your computer, you saw that instead of your desktop, a blank sheet appeared on the screen, not burdened with any shortcuts, gadgets and panels. What to do?

The explorer.exe file launches the Windows graphical shell, so after turning it on, the desktop appears on the screen with all the shortcuts and the taskbar. The question arises why this system file will not start normally? Most likely, some malicious program changed the parameters of its operation, specified in the registry, while the file itself remained working.

To fix this error, perform a system restore, and then be sure to check your computer with an antivirus or a special cleaning utility, Dr.Web CureIT.

Important! If you choose to customize Windows 7, do not disable System Restore. Creating and storing restore points, although it requires certain resources, can be extremely useful.

Using safe mode

If under normal Windows boot"Task Manager" does not open or the desktop is not restored, you can try to follow the steps described above in safe mode.

Restart the computer and press the F8 key (to be sure, press it several times immediately after startup until the mode selection window appears).

In the vast majority of cases, you will see your home screen with all the shortcuts and panels. You just have to go to the "Start" menu and select the "System Restore" item, which is located in the "Utilities" section.

If the desktop is empty, call the "Task Manager" and try again to force the "explorer.exe" file to run.
Alternatively, you can immediately start System Restore by typing the “rstrui.exe” command.

After the system starts up normally, be sure to check it for viruses so that you do not encounter similar problems again.

Working with the registry

If the system restore function does not help (or was simply disabled), you will have to work a little with the registry, checking and, if necessary, correcting some of the entries responsible for starting the graphical Windows shells 7.

In the registry editor, you need to check several branches. First go sequentially along the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE→SOFTWARE→Microsoft→WindowsNT→CurrentVersion→Winlogon.

Check the "shell" parameter - it should be set to "explorer.exe".

As you can see in the screenshot, in this case, the value of the parameter is different, so instead of a graphical shell, the system launches a malicious application that is located in the “temp” directory.

If you launch the "Task Manager" and carefully read the "Processes" tab, then among others running applications you can easily find the malware that was found in the registry.

Then check the "userinit" parameter - it should be set to "C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe". In the presented screenshot, you can see that the system accesses the "temp" folder, launching a malicious application.

To correct these shortcomings, it is necessary to bring the value of the "shell" and "userinit" parameters back to normal. The resulting entries should look like this:

The next registry branch to check is HKEY_CURRENT_USER→Software→Microsoft→Windows→CurrentVersion→Policies→Explorer. If you see a "NoDesktop" setting here with a value of "1", change it to "0" or just delete it.

Finally, you can search by the name of the virus that you found in the value of the "shell" and "userinit" parameters.

Press Ctrl+F in the registry editor and start the search by typing the name of the malicious application in the line.

If you find a "shell" parameter on the HKEY_CURRENT_USER→Software→Microsoft→WindowsNT→CurrentVersion→Winlogon branch that has some path in its value, edit it. By default, the value of the "shell" parameter should be empty.

Registry recovery

To avoid manually fixing entries, you can use the Windows 7 Registry Repair feature. If you save a working registry configuration in advance in special file with the *.reg extension, you can easily return all the correct parameters if necessary.

But even if you have system restore turned off and you have not made copies of the registry, you can use the standard Windows tools, which allow you to return the records to their original state.

Every 10 days, the registry is automatically saved in the form of several files that can be found in the "RegBack" folder.

Now you need to delete the registry files from the "Config" directory and copy the backups from the "RegBack" directory in their place.
As a result, the registry will take on its normal, working form, in which no malicious applications will interfere with the correct display of the desktop.

Restoring system files

Above, we considered the situation when the explorer file itself is not damaged, and changes are made only to system registry. However, it also happens that recovery is required by the application itself, which is responsible for launching the shell.

To restore explorer.exe, follow these steps:

A computer scan will start, as a result of which a search and recovery will be performed system files. At this stage it may be necessary installation disk so prepare it ahead of time.

However, explorer.exe errors are usually fixed by the system itself, so you only need to wait for the scan to finish, after which you can start checking the registry.

AVZ Utility

You can restore system files not only using the built-in Windows Tools, but also thanks to the AVZ utility. If you can’t start the program with standard two clicks, open the Task Manager and select the New Task item from the File menu.

Important! In the launch line, you must specify not the name of the utility, but the full path of its storage. For example: C:\Users\Username\Desktop\avz4\avz.exe.

The main program window will open. Expand the "File" menu and select "Update databases".

Wait for the update procedure to complete and click OK. Open the File menu again and select System Restore.

Check items 9 and 16 (“Remove debuggers” and “Restore startup key”) and click “Perform marked operations”.
After finishing work AVZ utilities it is necessary to check the registry and, if necessary, correct the entries using the instructions indicated above.

The first thing the user sees after switching on personal computer, this is the desktop, on which shortcuts to various documents and program icons are located. For most users, this view on the monitor screen is completely normal, it does not attract too much attention to itself. However, one fine moment, everything can turn out completely differently.

You peer at the monitor screen in an attempt to find the familiar splash screen, but instead find a blank desktop. What to do? First of all, do not panic: this situation is easy to fix. You can try to return the desktop to its original place using one of the methods described in this article.

Reasons for the loss

Before rushing to take serious measures to solve this problem, it is necessary to understand its causes. There are only two of them, and they boil down to the following definitions: serious and frivolous. If you have the latter option, then the loss of the desktop may be the result of the most common joke. Perhaps you were played by one of your colleagues or family. Then it will be very easy to return the “Desktop” of the computer to its rightful place. Find an empty space on your desktop and right-click on it.

As a result, a menu will open in which you will need to select the "Arrange icons" item. Click on it. In the list that opens, check the "Show desktop icons" checkbox. Wait a while. That's all you can enjoy the result. If such actions do not bring positive result, then most likely a virus has got on your computer.

He stole your desktop. If this is the cause of this problem, then you will have to tinker a little longer, but do not worry, this situation is quite fixable. But before trying the methods described below, check your computer with an antivirus program. Otherwise, all your efforts may be completely in vain. If the antivirus program has detected some kind of infection, then delete it. Now let's take a look at the problem itself.

How to return the "Desktop" if the cause of the loss is a virus?

If the desktop from the computer monitor has disappeared as a result of the tricks of the virus, then you can try using the following methods. It is better to use them in the order in which they are given.

Starting the Explorer Process

The system file Explorer.exe is responsible for the correct display of the desktop. That is what you need to find. Next, hold down the key combination Ctrl + Alt + Del to call the "Task Manager". Open the Applications tab and click on New Task. As a result, a window for creating a new task should appear. Enter the name of your file in the "Open" field and click on the "OK" button. Now it remains only to reboot the system. The problem may be solved as a result. If it didn’t work out in this way to return the “Desktop”, you can try the following method.

System Restore

V this method it is necessary, by analogy with the actions described above, to create a new task in the corresponding field and write the path to the file of interest to us: SystemRoot/System32/Restore/rstrui.exe. Now we press Ok. As a result, the System Restore window should appear. Here you need to select the item "Restore an earlier state of the desktop". Click the "Next" button. It remains only to choose the day the checkpoint was created, when the desktop was still in order. As a result, your computer desktop should return to a working state. If it suddenly turns out that there is no checkpoint, then the option to create it will be disabled. We will have to consider another solution to the problem.

Making changes to the registry

To bring icons back to your computer's desktop, you can try editing your system's registry. To do this, open the "Task Manager" and create a new task in the "Applications" tab. The command will look like this - regedit. Click on the OK button. As a result, the Registry Editor window should appear. Now you need to open the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder. In it you need to find the Image File Execution Options section in internal folder current version.

The path to it lies through the Software/Microsoft/Windows folders. You need to find the Explorer.exe file here. When you find it, delete it with a right-click. Now you need to move on to another section, which is located in the Current Version folder. It is called Winlogon. We click on it with the left button, and then look at the left column of the editor. The Shell option should be set there. Now open the menu of the specified parameter and click "Change". As a result, a window for changing the string parameter will open, in which the file name is written - explorer.exe.

If the entry in this field is different, it must be cleared and the required line entered. Now click OK. We will also be interested in the Userinit parameter. Open it. Here, the entry C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe should be specified in the field. Everything but this line here needs to be deleted. Save your changes and restart your computer. As a result, the desktop should return to its original state. If this does not happen, you can try using other methods.

Methods that require Internet access

If the methods described above were ineffective, you can try to seek help from the Internet. To do this, run the req file. We call the “Task Manager” familiar to us and create the task again. In the field enter the address to call the standard browser operating system Windows^ C:\Program Files|Internet Explorer\Explorer.exe. Click OK. This should open a browser window. V address bar you must enter the address kompsecret.ru/problem/puscproblem.html. To go to it, you need to press the Enter button. Now you need to find the nodesctop.reg file and run it. This file must make the required changes to the registry. We agree to make changes. We reboot the computer. As a result, the desktop should appear.

If this way does not help to return the "Desktop" of Windows, then you can try another option. This is a kind of alternative to the previous method. You need to do the following. Repeat the first two steps that were used to restore the desktop using the Internet. In the third step, we run the script, which is called xp_teskbar_desktop_fixall.vbs. Run it. After that, we restart the computer. This method should bring a positive effect.

How to return individual desktop icons?

Less serious problems may arise when only some icons from the desktop disappear. In this case, returning them will be much easier. Consider the situation using the example of how you can return the Skype program shortcut to the desktop. If this program is available on the computer, and the shortcut from the desktop suddenly disappeared somewhere, the following steps can help. Open the C drive and find the desired name in the Program Files folder, namely Skype. Find in the Phone folder and create a shortcut for it with the right mouse button shortcut. Now drag the shortcut to your desktop. That's all! Skype will now run through it. The same sequence of actions can be used for any programs whose shortcuts have disappeared from the desktop.

Missing desktop picture

In addition to the problem associated with the disappearance of icons, there may also be another annoying nuisance. The picture that is set as the background may disappear or change to something else. How can I return the image to its place? First of all, you need to check in the folder where the latest documents are stored. Perhaps you will find a picture somewhere there. You can also search in the Pictures folder, or in the folder where all files are downloaded by default. You can find it in your Internet browser settings. It does not interfere with checking the desktop settings. Click on it right click mice. Next, select "Properties". The drop-down list will display the pictures that were installed earlier. The picture you need should be here.

After starting the system, the icons from the Windows 7, 8 desktop disappeared, a fairly common situation. Depending on the situation, the shortcuts disappear partially or completely. Ways to solve problems are multifaceted. You can observe such situations:

1. Some shortcuts have disappeared from the desktop, while the rest are in place.
2. All icons are gone, but you can see the taskbar.
3. Icons and other elements are not displayed (only or a black screen is visible).

In the first case, mostly system icons disappear, such as the recycle bin, my computer and others, read more about restoring system shortcuts for "recycle bin", for "my computer". All other cases of disappearing icons can be attributed to the settings for displaying shortcuts and problems with launching the file. GUI.

Enabling the display of desktop shortcuts

If all shortcuts have disappeared on the desktop, but is displayed and functioning, check for icons in the user's Desktop folder. Launch "my computer" from start or from the taskbar. On the left, select "desktop", if all the icons are there, then the problem is settled.

Right-click (where there are no icons) on the desktop, in the menu, hover over "view", select the option to show desktop icons so that they appear again. Comrades with Microsoft came up with such a tricky idea to clean up the desktop.

If there are no shortcuts in the Desktop directory and the display option is enabled, then the icons have been moved or removed due to user action, virus attack. The first option is unlikely, although the second is more common. Do a system restore, scan your PC for viruses so that there is no such situation in the future.

Troubleshooting Explorer.exe

The explorer.exe file, which is located in Windows folder. If, after starting the PC, your working Windows table 7, 8 means the GUI file did not start with the system. Most likely, the effect of the virus is observed. To resolve issues, do one or more of the following:

1. You can manually force the explorer.exe process to work. , click "file" in the top menu, then "new task (run)". Enter explorer.exe in the input field, click OK. So you can restore the Windows 7, 8 desktop within this session for easy troubleshooting. After manually launching the GUI, scan the OS antivirus program With latest update bases

Note: It is not uncommon for malware to block the Task Manager. The result will be a notification "".

2. Without starting explorer manually, you can . If the desktop loads completely, then something is preventing it from functioning normally. Scan Windows antivirus ON.

3. The graphical interface file is launched automatically through the corresponding registry branch. When the system is infected with a certain type of virus, then in the registry the path to explorer.exe is written in place of the value executable file virus software (often located in ). If the desktop is gone Windows shortcuts 7, 8 do the steps below.

You will need , 8 and go to the Winlogon section (see the image below for the full path). On the right side of the registry, pay attention to the Shell parameter, it should be set to explorer.exe. If the path to the executable file of the virus is written there, double-click Shell, delete the excess in the "value" field and write explorer.exe. Next, click OK, but do not rush to close the registry.

The virus can take root deep into the registry. Select the name of the malware executable file and copy it. Press Ctrl + F, in the "find" field, paste the copied name. Check all the options with checkboxes (see screenshot), then click "find next". If the name of the virus is found, fix it everywhere. Close registry windows, restart your computer.

4. Sometimes explorer.exe is modified or corrupted to restore the desktop on windows 7, 8 and the graphical interface will help the command (cmd) to check system files. You need to enter the command:

5. Perform a system restore. The most popular troubleshooting tool in Windows, but not always. In difficult situations, it can be disabled and will not help you in any way.

Now you know why icons disappeared from the Windows 7, 8 desktop, and how to restore them. First of all, it is recommended to check the setting for hiding shortcuts. V otherwise use the methods to solve the problem with loading the graphical interface, as a rule, the methods work in a complex way.

Working with a computer is based mainly on interaction with the desktop, on which the most commonly used programs and folders are located. But what if the Windows 7 desktop is missing? Where to look for the lost folder?

Launching the folder

The desktop is an ordinary folder, the work of which is initiated by the explorer.exe process. Therefore, the answer to the question of how to restore the Windows 7 desktop is obvious - you just need to start the process.

This method is relevant only if the folder and the path to it are not damaged, otherwise explorer.exe will not work correctly.

1. Through the task manager;
2. Through the command line.

First way

Select "Create a new task" and type explorer.exe into the window that appears. After this action, the desktop should appear. If this does not happen, then we use the second option.

Second way

To implement process recovery through the console, you must run a command prompt with administrator rights. To do this, press WIN + W and enter "Command Prompt" in the search bar. Right-click the manipulator and select "Run as administrator":

Recovery Tool

In this case, you can choose to run Last Known Good Configuration. However, the method is not reliable if the computer is infected with a virus program.

It is not necessary to create rollback points yourself. Windows does this automatically as soon as the user installs programs that affect the system, updates drivers, and so on.

This method allows you to restore the desktop even when the explorer.exe file is damaged/deleted/modified.

After the rollback, be sure to check the system for the presence malware, since there is a high probability that the problem lies precisely in them.

Working with the registry

Final computer cleaning

• We load an antivirus with a new database on external media;
• We are looking for a file on the Internet called explorer.exe, download and upload it to a USB flash drive where the antivirus is located;
• Using the latter, we check the computer and remove all suspicious utilities and files;
• We are looking for explorer.exe on the computer (the search is carried out in the section where the operating system is installed) and change it to a file downloaded from the network (after checking it with an antivirus);
• We reboot the device.

It is possible that Windows Remote Desktop is not working due to a video card failure. Don't forget to update your video and audio drivers after restarting.

Video instruction for restoring the desktop

After the next start of the computer, you found that the familiar icons are no longer displayed on the monitor: folders, shortcuts, files, and other items. Sometimes even the taskbar disappears along with the Start button. If you are also wondering how to restore the desktop, then you are on the right track.

The very first actions

The reason that the desktop disappeared may be viruses - worms, trojans and others - as well as the "inept hands" of the user. In any case, before running for help in service center try to fix the problem yourself. So, if only shortcuts and folders have disappeared on the windows desktop, then try the following:

On some versions of the operating system Windows setting"View" may be called "Active Desktop" or "Organize Desktop Icons". Most often, all files and other elements are returned to their places.

Launch Explorer

If all the icons disappeared on your computer, and with them the taskbar, then, most likely, the system crashed when loading and "Explorer" - the program responsible for leading the user to necessary files and directories, it just didn't start. In this case, in order to return the familiar windows table, you will need to launch this application yourself:

After that, after a few seconds, the windows desktop will load again. If the recovery was successful, then all the existing icons and files, the taskbar will return to their place. But it is worth considering that to perform the same operation in windows 8, you need to select "File" and "Perform a new task" in the menu bar at the top (click the button for more details below). All other steps just repeat.

Extreme measures

If the options presented did not help restore the missing desktop, then it is recommended to seek help from professionals. But if you do not have time, or there are no specialists, then you can try at your own peril and risk to edit some sections of the windows registry yourself. It is worth taking into account that such operations are dangerous for the “health” of the entire computer.

To start the windows registry editor, you need to open / run a new task (see above) "regedit":

Tip: before editing windows registry, export a copy of it to disk. In case of serious problems, you can restore it.