Files Do Not Show Up On Desktop


thepipe

Active member
Local time
7:58 PM
Posts
12
OS
Win 11
I just updated to Windows 11 yesterday and have run into a number of issues. One of these is ...

I saved a JPG file to the desktop, but when I viewed the desktop it wasn't there. When I opened the desktop folder in an Explorer window, I could see the file. I could also see it in a Explorer alternative I use - XYPlorer. If I right click on the desktop and choose Refresh, the file appears. I dragged the file into the trash, but its icon remained on the desktop. When I double clicked on it, Windows said it couldn't find the file.

This seems like a refresh bug in Windows 11. Users should not have to constantly invoke the refresh command in order to see files. Is anyone else experiencing this or does anyone have a permanent solution? I'm running the latest update to Windows 11 on a laptop with a single monitor.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LG Gram
    CPU
    i7 1065G7
Have you tried a different user account to see if the issue persists there? Your user profile could be corrupted. To test try creating a new local account or enable the hidden administrator account. If you do the latter, be sure to disable it when you are finished testing. Tutorial Here.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Thanks for the reply. I created a new local user and the issue persists. I downloaded a JPG file and saved it to the desktop. The file did not appear until I right clicked on the desktop and selected Refresh.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LG Gram
    CPU
    i7 1065G7
FYI F5 will also do a refresh.

It's weird stuff like this that is why I always do a clean install rather than an upgrade.

If you have any third party apps or toolbars that affect the UI, try uninstalling them.

You also stated you had run into other issues as well but didn't say what they were. If this was me and I was troubleshooting this I would try a clean boot. With a clean boot, Windows starts with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, so that you can determine whether a background program is causing your issue. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial

If you have the problem in a clean boot, the next step would be to boot back into the OS in normal boot and from an administrative command prompt, type type SFC /scannow This will check for any corruption in the system files and attempt to repair them if any are found..

If the problem still persists, backup your files, bite the bullet and clean install the OS. In your particular case I would not suggest a reset. It's a real pain, I know, but we've all had to do it at one time or another. Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial

Good luck.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
FYI F5 will also do a refresh.

It's weird stuff like this that is why I always do a clean install rather than an upgrade.

If you have any third party apps or toolbars that affect the UI, try uninstalling them.

You also stated you had run into other issues as well but didn't say what they were. If this was me and I was troubleshooting this I would try a clean boot. With a clean boot, Windows starts with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, so that you can determine whether a background program is causing your issue. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial

If you have the problem in a clean boot, the next step would be to boot back into the OS in normal boot and from an administrative command prompt, type type SFC /scannow This will check for any corruption in the system files and attempt to repair them if any are found..

If the problem still persists, backup your files, bite the bullet and clean install the OS. In your particular case I would not suggest a reset. It's a real pain, I know, but we've all had to do it at one time or another. Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial

Good luck.
Thanks. I was hoping to avoid the whole backup/clean install process, but it may be unavoidable. C'est la vie!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LG Gram
    CPU
    i7 1065G7
it may be unavoidable
I just scanned the forum and saw where you had listed all the issues you've encountered with the upgrade in their respective categories in the forum. You really did get a crappy upgrade, didn't you. I know you've spent a lot of time dealing with it all. Even if you're able to work it all out (but I don't think you can) please take a word of advice. Don't avoid it.You don't know what other issues are lying in wait to haunt you at a later date. Accept that you got an 'upgrade gone wild' and start fresh. Don't waste any more of your time.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
If I can jump on this thread I have a desktop problem. Whenever I add an icon, such as a link to a folder to the desktop, it arranges it along with the existing icons in some kind of order, not sure if it's alpa or some other factor. When I move it to an area of the desktop where I'd rather have it, it immediately gets moved back. There should be some way to override it's insistence on organizing them its way so I can put them where I want them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 8950
    CPU
    12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900K 3.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    0DYKKV A00
    Memory
    65262 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
    Sound Card
    Multimedia Intel(R) Display Audio NVIDIA High Definition Audio NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device (Wave Extensible) (WDM) Realtek(R) Audio WsAudio_Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    D/L 120 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
Right click on desktop-select View - Uncheck Auto Arrange Icons, Check Align Icons to Grid
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Thank youl
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 8950
    CPU
    12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900K 3.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    0DYKKV A00
    Memory
    65262 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
    Sound Card
    Multimedia Intel(R) Display Audio NVIDIA High Definition Audio NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device (Wave Extensible) (WDM) Realtek(R) Audio WsAudio_Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    D/L 120 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel I3-10100
    Motherboard
    MSI H410M-PRO
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GT 1030
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 970 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Samsung QVO 870 SATA SSD 2 Tb
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Microsoft Office 2021 Plus
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel i3-8100
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z370 D3
    Memory
    16 Gb
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia GT 720
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Seagate 2 Tb HDD
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I just updated to Windows 11 yesterday and have run into a number of issues. One of these is ...

I saved a JPG file to the desktop, but when I viewed the desktop it wasn't there. When I opened the desktop folder in an Explorer window, I could see the file. I could also see it in a Explorer alternative I use - XYPlorer. If I right click on the desktop and choose Refresh, the file appears. I dragged the file into the trash, but its icon remained on the desktop. When I double clicked on it, Windows said it couldn't find the file.

This seems like a refresh bug in Windows 11. Users should not have to constantly invoke the refresh command in order to see files. Is anyone else experiencing this or does anyone have a permanent solution? I'm running the latest update to Windows 11 on a laptop with a single monitor.
Regardless of issue, it is generally bad practice to store files other than shortcuts on the desktop. The desktop quickly gets cluttered with files and no structure to the files.

Some of my colleagues have many tens of files on desktop and it is just a complete mess e.g. phot files mixed wirh word, excel files etc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0

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