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No files on desktop: Use these quick fixes for Windows 10/11
9 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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aNothing can be more frustrating than turning on your computer, logging in then you getno files on your desktop.
It is even worse when you have no idea where they could have disappeared to, or how to restore them back to your screen and get back to your work.
Well, we have just the solutions you need when you get no files on desktop Windows 10, especially after you performed an upgrade or recently installed it on your computer then this happened.
This article looks at the quick solutions you can use, some simple, some with longer steps to take, but at the end of it all, we hope you will get sorted and the files are restored to your desktop.
Steps to take when you get no files on desktop Windows 10
1. Check Windows.old folder
If you get no files on desktop Windows 10, especially after an upgrade, which doesn’t cause data loss but instead creates aWindows.old folderin the operating system on local drive. In this case, check for that folder, open it and restore the files back to your desktop.
Here’s how to do this:
Did this help? If not, try the next solution.
2. Show hidden files, folders and drives
Here’s how to do this:
Did this work for you? If you still get no files on desktop Windows 10, try the next solution.
3. Run Microsoft Safety Scanner
Microsoft Safety Scanner is a tool designed to locate and remove malware from Windows PCs. It only scans when manually triggered, then you get to use it 10 days after you download it.
This means you need to download the latest version of the tool before you perform each scan on your computer.
However, the Microsoft Safety Scanner tool doesn’t replace your antimalware program. It helps remove malicious software from your Windows 10 computer that could cause you to get no files on desktop Windows 10.
Here’s how to run Microsoft Safety Scanner:
To remove the Microsoft Safety Scanner tool, delete themsert.exefile by default.
Check if the issue persists. If so, try the next solution.
4. Run a System File Checker scan
A System File Checker scan checks or scans all protected system files, and thenreplaces the incorrect versions, with the genuine, correct Microsoft versions.
Here’s how to do this:
If you still get no files on desktop Windows 10, try the next solution.
5. Perform a Clean Boot
If you manage to boot in Safe Mode, perform a clean boot to eliminate any software conflicts that may be causing you to get no files on desktop Windows 10.
Performing a clean boot for your computer reduces conflicts related to software that can bring up the root causes of the problem. These conflicts can be caused by applications and services that start up and run in the background whenever you start Windows normally.
How to perform a clean boot
In order to successfully perform a clean boot on Windows 10, you have to be logged on as the administrator, then follow these steps:
You will have a clean boot environment after all these steps are carefully followed, after which you can try and check if your files are restored.
6. Check if you’re settings are on Tablet or Desktop Mode
Sometimes you can get no files on desktop Windows 10 simply because of the display settings mode on your computer.
In this case, check if the settings are on Tablet mode and turn it off by doing the following:
If this doesn’t help, try the next solution.
7. Create new user profile
You can create a new user profile then change settings to administrator privileges, and check if you still get no files on desktop Windows 10.
Here’s how you can create a new user profile:
If the issue goes away, then it may mean your other user profile is corrupted.
You can try the following in case of a corrupted user profile:
Check whether you still get no files on desktop Windows 10 when using the newly created account. If it persists, then you can eitherFix the old user accountor migrate to the new account.
If you have different user accounts, log in to each and check if you can find the files and folders that were there after the upgrade to Windows 10.
You can alsodisable the Built-in administrator accountby doing the following:
Did this fix the chop? If not, try the next solution.
8. Perform a System Restore
If you get a PC status at risk warning on your computer, use System Restore to create restore points using the steps below and see if it helps:
Restoring doesn’t affect your personal files. It however removes apps, drivers and updates installed after the restore point was created.
To go back to a restore point, do the following:
Still get no files on desktop Windows 10? Try the next solution.
9. Reset Windows Explorer
Here’s how to do this:
Does this fix the problem? If not, try the next solution.
10. Boot in Safe Mode
Safe mode starts up your computer with limited files and drivers but Windows will still run. To know whether you’re on Safe mode, you’ll see the words at the corners of your screen.
If the issue of programs disappearing persists, check whether it occurs while your computer is in Safe mode.
Follow these steps to start your computer in Safe Mode:
A quicker way to get into Safe Mode is to restart your computer then do the following:
If the issue isn’t there while in Safe mode, then your default settings and basic drivers are not contributing to the issue.
Did any of these ten solutions help you get your files back on your desktop? Let us know by sharing with us your experience in the comments section below.
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More about the topics:windows 10 fix
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
