/ Missing Icons and Taskbar

Missing Icons and Taskbar

I can turn my computer on and the background comes up, but no icons or taskbar is showing. I can still go on applications, but only through Task Manager? Susan Keenan

Missing icons and a missing taskbar usually occurs when your Windows Explorer and Icon Cache files have been corrupted. Fortunately, you have several options when trying to fix this type of problem with the desktop. I’ll run through them for you.

Resolving Missing Taskbar

When the taskbar is missing, it is usually because of a corrupted explorer.exe file or error. This file is associated with Windows Explorer, which is responsible for the start menu, taskbar, desktop icons, and more. Every once in awhile, something goes awry and it stops working properly. When this happens, the appearance of the desktop changes, typically in the manner that you have described. To get around this problem with the missing taskbar, you just have to give Windows Explorer a little nudge.

Look to the keyboard and select the following combination of keys: CTRL & ALT & DEL. This action creates a list of options for you to select. Launch the Task Manager. Now, click on “File” and then, click on “New Task.” Type in the following “explorer.exe” inside the box labeled “Open.” Click “OK.” The taskbar, desktop, and Start menu should now appear in their normal location on the desktop.

Resolving Missing Icons

If the missing icons have not reappeared, then you might have a corrupted icon cache file. If this is the case, then you need to replace this file. It might sound a bit scary to someone who isn’t used to playing around with the inner workings of the computer, but it really isn’t that difficult to do. First, you need to delete this file: iconcache.db. If you have Windows Vista, you should look for: %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\iconcache.db

If you have Windows XP, look for:

C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Local Settings\Application Data\iconcache.db.

Delete the file that you locate and open up the Task Manager again. Close any running explorer.exe files. At this point, you need to reboot your computer. As the computer reboots, it will recreate the deleted iconcache.db file and your desktop icons should appear.

Resolving Missing Icons and Taskbar: Repair Installation

If neither of these steps restored your desktop and you have the installation disk for your computer, you can use it to repair your Windows Operating System so that your missing icons and taskbar return. Simply insert the disk, turn the computer on, and follow the prompts to select the repair option.