Files Do Not Show Up On Desktop

thepipe · Jan 14, 2022

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.

glasskuter · Jan 14, 2022

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.

thepipe · Jan 14, 2022

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.

glasskuter · Jan 14, 2022

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.

thepipe · Jan 14, 2022

glasskuter said:
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!

glasskuter · Jan 15, 2022

thepipe said:
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.

larrydonline · Jan 15, 2022

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.

glasskuter · Jan 15, 2022

Right click on desktop-select View - Uncheck Auto Arrange Icons, Check Align Icons to Grid

larrydonline · Jan 15, 2022

Thank youl

RFS · Jan 15, 2022

Believe this problem is a duplicate of this one -

File Explorer requires refreshing to view changes

It's been an intermittent problem since W7 days - just Google "Windows Explorer does not refresh".

cereberus · Jan 15, 2022

thepipe said:
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.

Files Do Not Show Up On Desktop

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