Desktop blank and apps deleted.

Anonymous
2013-04-02T03:19:12+00:00

After I log in this morning in my account, the computerct act like it was for the first time started and after that I discover that all the apps and my desktop was deleted.  When I try to pop up my desktop i got erorr.  "C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop refers to a location that is unavailable. It could be on a hard drive on this computer, or on a network. Check to make sure that the disk is properly inserted, or that you are connected to the Internet or your network, then try again. If it still cannot be located, the information might have been moved to a different location.."

Please help me.

Thank you

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Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

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Anonymous
2013-04-02T19:07:35+00:00

Hi Marius,

  • Were there any recent changes made on the computer prior to the issue?

Here are few methods that you may follow to fix this issue.

Method 1:

a. Open "C:\users[your user account]" folder. If you see two Desktop folders with one blank and the other with your Desktop items you need to delete the blank one.

b. Copy the desktop folder with your desktop items from “C:\Users[your user account]\” folder to “C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\”

c. Restart the computer.

Method 2: Create a new user account and check.

Create a user account

If the issue does not persists in new user account then, try to fix the corrupted profile.

a) Press Windows and X together and select Windows Explorer.

b) Click on View tab and Click on Options at the top right corner.

c) Click the View tab, and then click Show hidden files, folders, and drives.

d) Uncheck the box which states Hide protected operating system files.

****e) Click Yes to confirm, and then click Ok. ****

f) Locate the C:\Users\Old_Username folder, where C is the drive that Windows is installed on, and Old Username is the name of the profile you want to copy files from.

g) Select all of the files and folders in this folder, except the following files:

•Ntuser.dat •Ntuser.dat.log •Ntuser.ini

h) Right click and Select Copy.

i) Locate the C:\Users\New_Username folder, where C is the drive that Windows is installed on, and New Username is the name of the new user profile you created.

j) Right click inside the folder and select Paste.

k) Restart your computer and check.

Method 3: Restore your PC to an earlier point in time and check.

http://windows.microsoft.com/is-is/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc

Note:  Do not Reset or Refresh the PC.

Please post back with the results and we will be happy to assist you further.

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-09-08T07:42:01+00:00

    Your files are safe and everything will return. The only problem is with the temp files, during this error window cannot create proper temp files (some are created but are corrupt). so just remove these and you are okay. if you cannot access the "This pc"  then in windows 8.1's right side panel go to control panel

     click on up button to go back 

    it will give you the same error but you will end up in "This pc" or desktop, then go to C:\ and use the above method mentioned in my previous reply.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-09-08T07:35:18+00:00

    Remove all the temporary files and prefetch files in c:/windows and c:\users\yourusername\AppData\Local\Temp and then restart the pc. Or in short use ccleaner or similar softwares to delete all temp files.

    2nd Method

    I assume your taskbar is still visible then right click and go to taskmanager. otherwise

    use shortcut keys Alt+Ctrl+delete key and go to task manager

    If task manager is not in the detail then click "more details" at the bottom left and then restart the "windows explorer"

    after few seconds it will throw the same error but will show few icons like "this pc" and documents, Go to c:\windows\temp and delete all the files (some files might not get deleted leave them) Go to c:\windows\prefetch and delete all the files 

    then go to C:\Users[your username]\AppData\Local\Temp  and delete all files 

    and restart the pc it will work.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-04-12T20:38:57+00:00

    You will find appropriate support for Windows 10 by beginning your own, new thread in this forum => http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-update-winupdate

    See...

        • HOW TO begin your own, new thread about your computer & problem

            http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/Page/faq#faqAskQuestion1

         • What information to post in the Windows Update forum

             http://answers.microsoft.com/thread/1467f44b-ee27-4f7d-98d7-f1c4b35b3395

        • Suggestions for asking a question in help forums

             http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

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