No Desktop After Win10 Update

When I switched on my PC yesterday it did a long update to Win10. After rebooting, I get the Win log-on screen then, after logging on, I am presented with a black desktop, no icons apart from the recycle bin. No programme icons in the task bar, the start button responds but will not let me scroll down the programme list.

I got an error message, 'C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop is not accessible. Access is denied.' I can start the task manager &, as far as I can tell, all of the normal processes are running.

Using my laptop to search online, it seems that others have had the same problem after this Windows update, possibly associated with having AVG anti-virus installed. I've tried some of the solutions suggested by others but without success.

Can any of you kind souls suggest what I can try?

Win10 home edition.

 

Is Start > Settings > Update and Security > Windows Update > View Update History accessible? If so select Uninstall Updates and try uninstalling the most recent.

 

Thanks for your reply, yes I can access update history but the last update I can see has an install date of 11/03/2020, nothing listed for yesterday. Would yesterday's update be listed if maybe it failed to install properly?

 

I have no idea, sorry. Those of us who have learned the lesson about backup can reverse out of this situation in minutes by restoring a recent system image previously created. You don't have that luxury, which leaves you with three choices -

Reinstall Win 10 from scratch

Use the built-in Reset this PC (it's in Update and Recovery and will reinstall Windows but minus any software you installed)

Use System Restore if it has been active. This would be my choice as it doesn't remove the other two options. Follow it through from the Start menu.

 

The reset asks for my system disc which I don't have as the PC came with Win8.2 & upgraded to Win10.

If I try system restore I get a message saying 'there was an unexpected error'.

Luckily, my data is safely stored on a 2nd HDD.

 

It's been quite a while since I've had to tackle a fresh install so I'll step aside for now and hopefully one of the other regulars will take you from here.

 

OR you could follow one of the excellent tutorials HERE

 

One thing you won't have to concern yourself about when reinstalling is activation. Systems upgraded from 7 or 8.1 to 10 in the free upgrade period automatically acquired a digital license. If you subsequently reinstall 10 the MS servers will recognise your system and activate it without intervention from you.

Disappointing that no one has offered to help with this. You may find this helpful -

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4000735/windows-10-reinstall

 

That's a useful link. Win10 is reinstalling on my desktop PC right now. Thanks for your help.

 

I never understood that shadow copy thing and the rest. Knowing myself it's because I'm not interested enough. And I should be. But I've become manic about backing up files. I have them on ext. HD, Amazon, Google, OneDrive. At least I could rebuild my PC. And I should look into this shadowy things! lol

 

At least you have covered the essentials - you have the ability to recover your personal files. You can always rebuild the system should the need arise. But there are few users who have never hit a situation they wish they hadn't. But having the ability to step back in time when that happens is the ultimate freedom. Virus attacks, bad installs, system errors, disk failures, all no problem and fixable in minutes. Think about it.

 

I spent a large chunk of yesterday downloading Win10 install & starting the install on my PC. I chose to keep existing aps. After several reboots my PC started & was in exactly the same mess it was in on Saturday.

I still get the error message C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop not available. I thought it worth trying to copy that file from my laptop to the PC but, when I look in that same location on my laptop, there is no desktop file, only an AppData folder. Both machines are running Win10 Home & I had turned on view hidden icons.

Any idea why this file is not there?

 

Try the method used here:

 

Is it really that easy? I wish I'd had that link a couple of days ago. After doing an over the top reinstall yesterday, I found I could no longer access 'settings or the file explorer from the taskbar or keyboard shortcuts. My only option was to do a reset. I now have a working PC but I have to reinstall all of my software. The important stuff is OK but I had various programmes from "giveaway of the day", all were time limited offers. On the plus side, my PC is now fresh & quick.

Interestingly, the original error was "C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop is not accessible". If I look in that location now, there is still no desktop file or folder.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.