Solved Windows Update left no desktop or taskbar


dimestorecandy

dimestorecandy

Member
Local time
9:52 AM
Posts
5
OS
Windows 11
Windows 11 build 22631.4460 .

About a month ago, a Windows Update ran that left my screen black. That's it - just black. I could still access the the Task Manager via hot keys and could run programs such as my browser. But nothing could bring back any desktop nor the start button or its taskbar.

I did a system restore and brought everything back to normal. I then removed the OpenShell program I had been using to make my taskbar look retro. So, I began using Windows 11 the way it's normally supposed to look. Now, about a month later, another update ran. Again, at the end it displayed only a black screen. I did another system restore, but this time it made no difference. I am now operating with no desktop, start button, or taskbar.

I am able to type this because I can evoke the task manager and run Firefox.

What is wrong? What will fix this?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI
Hello @dimestorecandy, is this a new laptop or were you updating from Windows10 to Windows 11? What update gave you this problem?
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Home 25H2 26200.9457AMD Ryzen 3 5300G8gbRadeon Graphics 4.00GHZ
    OS
    Windows 11 Home 25H2 26200.9457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion TP01-2xxx
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 3 5300G
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics 4.00GHZ
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic
    Keyboard
    HP
    Mouse
    wireless Microsoft
    Browser
    FireFox
    Antivirus
    Avira

  • At a glance

    Updated Windows 10 to 11 25H2 26200.9445Intel Core i3 8100 @3.60 GHz8.GBIntel UHD 360 (HP)
    Operating System
    Updated Windows 10 to 11 25H2 26200.9445
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 8100 @3.60 GHz
    Motherboard
    HP 8653 (U3E1)
    Memory
    8.GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD 360 (HP)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Def
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    #3 System: HP OmniBook 3 laptop Windows Home 25H2 11Pro 26200.9278
  • HP Omni laptop Windows 11 home
    11 25H2 26200.9457
    Intel Core 5 120U
had msi laptop 2 years been at 11 all along i think. this was just a patch
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI
is there a path or command for desktop or taskbar?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI
If you use any third party app that alters the GUI, uninstall or update it.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9457i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9457
    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
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9457AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.9457
I had same problem in my wife's computer and on mine. It was Explorer that was the main issue.
With Task Manager I was able to open a CMD window as administrator and then I ran:
- chkdsk c: /f
It will say your disk is in use and ask if you want to schedule to next start = yes
Restart

Back to Windows, open a CMD window as administrator and type:
sfc /scannow

then run

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
and
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP 64 - Lubuntui5 6600K - 800MHz to 4400MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP 64 - Lubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    custom build
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4400MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Win 11
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    (4) -1 BX500 SSD - 256G for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Proi7-4500U 800- 3000MHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Q550LF
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800- 3000MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs
    & 1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
That was a good idea, but nothing has changed. I see all the preWindows stuff load then just a black screen. As before, I can run apps out of the task manager, but still no desktop, start button, or taskbar.

Does anyone know commands to reach some of those thing? since the Task Manager has become my GUI.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI
Are you facing a black screen with only a cursor visible on your Windows computer? This video offers a detailed walkthrough of the troubleshooting methods you can employ to fix this common issue. We will explore several potential causes and provide step-by-step instructions to help you restore your screen functionality. Join me as i tackle this problem and get your system back to normal.

 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11AMD Ryzen 7 5700GMicron Technology DDR4-3200 16GBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Pavilion
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
Motherboard
Erica6
Memory
Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
Sound Card
Realtek ALC671
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
dimestorecandy said:
That was a good idea, but nothing has changed. I see all the preWindows stuff load then just a black screen. As before, I can run apps out of the task manager, but still no desktop, start button, or taskbar.

Does anyone know commands to reach some of those thing? since the Task Manager has become my GUI.
Click to expand...
You should launch a command prompt from Task Manager in order to log in as Administrator:

From task Manager> Run > New Task> CMD
In terminal enter :

Code: 
net user administrator /active: yes

Initiate a log out Crtl+Alt+Enter , select switch user.
Once logged in as Administrator, see if you get a desktop GUI.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    All Branches but StableAMD Ryzen 7 7735HS 3200-4500 Mhz 8 cores x 232 GB DDR5Radeon Graphic / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB...
    OS
    All Branches but Stable
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Nitro ANV15-51
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS 3200-4500 Mhz 8 cores x 2
    Motherboard
    Sportage_RBH
    Memory
    32 GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphic / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    AMD/Realtek(R) Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Integrated Monitor (15.3"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    FHD 1920X1080 16:9 144Hz
    Hard Drives
    KINGSTON OM8SEP4512Q-AA 1TB
    Western Digital 256GB
    PSU
    19V DC 6.32 A 120 W
    Cooling
    Dual Fans
    Mouse
    MS Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    Fiber 1GB Cox -us & 1GB Orange-fr
    Browser
    Edge Canary- Firefox Nightly-Chrome Dev-Chrome Dev
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 BetaAMD A9-94208 GB of DDR4AMD Radeon R5
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Beta
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus X751BP
    CPU
    AMD A9-9420
    Memory
    8 GB of DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R5
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1 TB
dimestorecandy said:
That was a good idea, but nothing has changed. I see all the preWindows stuff load then just a black screen. As before, I can run apps out of the task manager, but still no desktop, start button, or taskbar.

Does anyone know commands to reach some of those thing? since the Task Manager has become my GUI.
Click to expand...
Run explorer.exe
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP 64 - Lubuntui5 6600K - 800MHz to 4400MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP 64 - Lubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    custom build
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4400MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Win 11
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    (4) -1 BX500 SSD - 256G for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Proi7-4500U 800- 3000MHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Q550LF
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800- 3000MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs
    & 1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
ok, thank you all.

I tried a lot, even telling non-windows apps not to run. nothing seemed to bring the gui back.

then, because I was doing a lot of things anyway i guess, a message popped up saying 'explorer patcher' was failing. i think that's something i loaded long ago to let me move the taskbar around easily like in the olden days. i thought OpenShell was my only taskbar mod, but no this was too.

i uninstalled it and voila! everything came back. thanks again for your time contemplating what was causing all this.

Peace.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI
dimestorecandy said:
ok, thank you all.

I tried a lot, even telling non-windows apps not to run. nothing seemed to bring the gui back.

then, because I was doing a lot of things anyway i guess, a message popped up saying 'explorer patcher' was failing. i think that's something i loaded long ago to let me move the taskbar around easily like in the olden days. i thought OpenShell was my only taskbar mod, but no this was too.

i uninstalled it and voila! everything came back. thanks again for your time contemplating what was causing all this.

Peace.
Click to expand...
Glad that you are happy, but for others having this problem, or for you to try, see also Black screen upon login after KB5035853 install - I had the same issue!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel® CoreTM i5-10400 Processor 12M Cache16GB - Kingston DDR4 SODIMM, 2666
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
LOOP AIO LP-270206
CPU
Intel® CoreTM i5-10400 Processor 12M Cache
Motherboard
Asus Pro H410T/CSM
Memory
16GB - Kingston DDR4 SODIMM, 2666
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung MZ-V8V500B/AM 500 GB SSD (OS and apps)
WD 1TB SSD (data)
Antivirus
Defender
There is a new Explorer Pacher

github.com

Release 22621.4317.67.1 · valinet/ExplorerPatcher

CautionMicrosoft and other major antivirus vendors have flagged ExplorerPatcher as "malware". This is likely due to Microsoft's hatred against ExplorerPatcher, not because it contains a virus or su...
github.com github.com
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP 64 - Lubuntui5 6600K - 800MHz to 4400MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP 64 - Lubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    custom build
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4400MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Win 11
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    (4) -1 BX500 SSD - 256G for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Proi7-4500U 800- 3000MHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Q550LF
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800- 3000MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs
    & 1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
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