Solved My desktop doesnt load on startup

Demby · Aug 8, 2024

Hi
My desktop is located at - This PC>Local Disk (C:)>Users>Home>Desktop
Yesterday I got a different desktop without my info on.
My desktop has a few shortcuts and files that I am currently working on. I can open all the files and the shortcuts work when I follow the path above but my desktop doesn't load on startup
I have tried several of the fixes available on the net including copying to win>sys32>config>system profile but still no joy.
My last automatic update 2024-07 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5040527) was successfully installed on 27 July so that doesnt seem to have caused the problem.
Be grateful for any assist.
Thank you

suatcini54 · Aug 8, 2024

Sorry to hear your trouble. Please try the following and advise.

When you press and keep pressed the Windows key and then Tab key, how many desktops do you see ? Do you have your desktop there ?

allan · Aug 8, 2024

1) What do you see when Windows loads?
2) What led up to this (what happened since the last time it worked and the first time it didn't)?

TairikuOkami · Aug 8, 2024

There is actually an user desktop and a public desktop, make sure there is Desktop folder created in both locations.
Taking ownership of both could help to solve the issue. Windows might be unable to read it due to permissions.

Code:

takeown /s %computername% /u %username% /f "%SystemDrive%\Users\Public\Desktop" /r /d y
icacls "%SystemDrive%\Users\Public\Desktop" /inheritance:r
icacls "%SystemDrive%\Users\Public\Desktop" /inheritance:e /grant:r %username%:(OI)(CI)F /t /l /q /c
takeown /s %computername% /u %username% /f "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop" /r /d y
icacls "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop" /inheritance:r
icacls "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop" /inheritance:e /grant:r %username%:(OI)(CI)F /t /l /q /c

glasskuter · Aug 8, 2024

I would bet it's related to onedrive. If you use a MS account, by default Desktop, Documents, Pictures, And Videos user folder default location iso Onedrive. You can prove this by going to file explorer, Right click on your desktop folder, select location tab. What is the path shown? IS it onedrive?
Did you do anything regarding Onedrive or changing anything in your user account trying to relocate your folders?

If the answer to either question is YES, you did not do it properly which can get you in a world of hurt. If so, Report back exactly what you did and I'll send you the proper procedure.

Spunk · Aug 8, 2024

When your User Profile becomes corrupted, Windows will load a Default User Profile.
Download the free Re-Profiler app to fix your corrupted profile.

ReProfiler

Download ReProfiler for free. User profile reassignment tool . Permits easy reassignment of a Microsoft Windows user profile which has become detached from its user account. Of use for general problem solving, and in situations such as joining a computer to a domain.

sourceforge.net

glasskuter · Aug 8, 2024

No offense, @Spunk but I certainly would not use a 3rd party tool that has had no developement in 6 years when it comes to my user profile.
In fact, I wouldn't allow any 3rd party tool to mess with my entire user profile. I'll bet a dollar to a donut it has no accountability for dealing with onedrive folders at all. The developer's website referenced on Sourceforge no longer exists.

Spunk · Aug 8, 2024

You are correct @glasskuter
I linked the wrong app, here is the one I have used recently and works very well. This does not affect OneDrive

Account Profile Fixer

Account Profile Fixer - Easily repair severe issues without reinstalling/resetting Windows

www.carifred.com

glasskuter · Aug 9, 2024

@Spunk If it works that's a keeper. It says if a user uses a MS account it creates a local account instead. That's where I see a problem with onedrive, if a users folders are defaulting to onedrive so they aren't on the computer. But what the heck do I know.

Demby · Aug 9, 2024

I hope that everybody that gave advice can read this. Thank you all. Particular thank to @Spunk who's solution fixed the problem. I dont know how it was caused because I had eliminated OneDrive from my pc some time ago, had not had an update since July, there was only one desktop, and did nothing to change things. I am also grateful to @glasscutter for reacting to @Spunk's original post before I had followed it.

Spunk · Aug 9, 2024

I am glad I could help.
A users profile may get corrupted for several reasons. Download Crystal Disk Info in my signature and view the SMART info. Run this every so often, if the status drops to anything less than Good, the drive needs to be replaced

Once your computer is back the way you want it you should do a system Image using a 3rd party app, like Macrium Reflect.
Save this Image to an external HDD. If disaster strikes, or you have a problem like this, you can easily restore your computer from the image you backed up.