No Taskbar, No Start button.

New (24 hrs) PC HP Elitebook 850 running W11 ver22H2 OS build 22621.1344

From the first start up there has been no taskbar or start button. Tried all the usual things checking it's not hidden or moved elsewhere on the screen etc, etc.
Some of the commands don't work properly either, such the run cmd type in command click enter etc but sometimes nothing happens. Read a few threads but half the info I should have doesn't appear or can't be found.

I did read uninstalling update KB 50006674 should fix the problem but it doesn't even show as installed.

Is there a simple fix or would it be best to return the product? It's almost as tho' part of the W11 install is missing.

Mayfly said:

New (24 hrs) PC HP Elitebook 850 running W11 ver22H2 OS build 22621.1344

From the first start up there has been no taskbar or start button. Tried all the usual things checking it's not hidden or moved elsewhere on the screen etc, etc.
Some of the commands don't work properly either, such the run cmd type in command click enter etc but sometimes nothing happens. Read a few threads but half the info I should have doesn't appear or can't be found.

I did read uninstalling update KB 50006674 should fix the problem but it doesn't even show as installed.

Is there a simple fix or would it be best to return the product? It's almost as tho' part of the W11 install is missin

Click to expand...

I would certainly return the item. No need for you to do the work necessary to fix a defective product. Additionally, it benefits all consumers when companies are held accountable for producing or selling inferior products or services.

Yep came to the same decision thank you for your help.

MF

Most stores will claim that software issues are not covered by the Warranty and will charge to reinstall Windows. However they cannot deny your right to return the product in the first few days of purchase (from 7 to 14 working days). Contact their support first since you might be charged for shipping back. Probably Windows Explorer is stuck and doesn't finish loading to show you the desktop icons and taskbar. In that case you can press CTRL+ALT+DEL to get the list of options and select Task Manager. Click bottom left to show more options and go at the Details. Find Explorer.exe, click on it and click End Task (it might be more than once, terminate all). Then click on New Task and type explorer to load it again. If it doesn't load successfully, most probably some Windows Update did not complete successfully and corrupted some system files. Since it is a new computer you can format and reinstall Windows 11. Most drivers will be found automatically, others can be downloaded from Windows Update or even better, from manufacturer's support site.

I wonder if they left it in store demo mode. (Retail Demo service)

We contacted the store and they said it sounded like W11 hadn't installed properly and we could try a reinstall it or they would send a label for free return and we could choose either a replacement or a full refund.
Did the reinstall and all works well now.

Thank all for your support, much appreciated.

MF

Mayfly said:

We contacted the store and they said it sounded like W11 hadn't installed properly and we could try a reinstall it or they would send a label for free return and we could choose either a replacement or a full refund.
Did the reinstall and all works well now.

Thank all for your support, much appreciated.

MF

Click to expand...

You should mark this thread as being solved so others will know.

While for an average user is not nice to get a new PC with non-working Windows, me as an expert wouldn't mind as I would do a clean installation anyway to make sure everything is the way I want without bloatware from the store or the computer manufacturer.

Mayfly said:

We contacted the store and they said it sounded like W11 hadn't installed properly and we could try a reinstall it or they would send a label for free return and we could choose either a replacement or a full refund.
Did the reinstall and all works well now.

Thank all for your support, much appreciated.

MF

Click to expand...

Glad the problem is resolved.

Personal opinion only, and may be in the minority, but I would return it for another computer unless you immediately need it. If the computer was not properly QC checked prior to leaving the manufacturer, possibility of other issues in the future. Again, jmo.

There may be other issues, but hopefully covered by Warranty. Software issues are not covered, at best the shop would offer to reinstall Windows for free, only to keep the customer happy. But not all stores would do that. Most would claim that you did something and damaged Windows and they would charge to reinstall Windows. Did you know that if you dare upgrade iOS on your iPhone and then you have issues they will blame you and charge to do a factory reset losing all your data? If the issue is a bug of the latest version of iOS it cannot be fixed as normally the phone cannot be downgraded, and they will simply tell you to wait for a new upgrade that might fix your issue. One of the many reasons I hate Apple products.

spapakons said:

There may be other issues, but hopefully covered by Warranty. Software issues are not covered, at best the shop would offer to reinstall Windows for free, only to keep the customer happy. But not all stores would do that. Most would claim that you did something and damaged Windows and they would charge to reinstall Windows. Did you know that if you dare upgrade iOS on your iPhone and then you have issues they will blame you and charge to do a factory reset losing all your data? If the issue is a bug of the latest version of iOS it cannot be fixed as normally the phone cannot be downgraded, and they will simply tell you to wait for a new upgrade that might fix your issue. One of the many reasons I hate Apple products.

Click to expand...

Another reason added to my, Why I won't buy Apple products list.