After update of my windows 10 I got problem Desktop is unavailable

I experienced this after the latest update (October 2018) on my X1 Laptop.

After a few SIHost.exe errors and other errors, you  end up with a black screen, with no access to the start button.

You can Ctrl-Alt-Del and go to task manager - from there use the file -> run menu to run cmd in admin mode to try other things.

However,  if  you go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10 to create a update disk on USB, you can then run the startup from the USB using the method above (i.e via file->run).

After a few hours of messing about with other commands, this finally worked for me, and is a much safer way of doing it, as you are getting bang up to date files, rather then from other sources.

I would try this option first, as even creating other usernames and logging into those took forever and still had the same issues.

Go here.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Read through the option that says using the tool to create installation media for another pc. Even though it is for the pc you are using.

(It is the 2nd plus sign under download tool now.) Follow the directions.

If you download the tool first to your downloads folder then open the downloads folder and right click the file for the properties. Click in the unblock box at the bottom of the properties page. Then again right click the file and choose run as administrator. It will ask where you want to download the file  choose your USB flash drive you have plugged in. Accept defaults if they are correct. The iso will download to your USB drive.

To install reboot pc with usb flash drive inserted. as soon as the pc is starting up (must be quick) keep on the F12 or (what ever your pc uses )key then choose to boot from usb drive once the boot menu comes up. Setup should start automatically.

 Hope this helps.

I posted the solution that worked for me below, but it's buried now with people that reinstalled windows and called it a solution.

Basically this is a failed patch install. The solution I found was to reinstall the newest Windows patch over the top, and it fixed everything and I was back to before the issue happened.

1. Download latest Windows full patch, right now I believe 1803 or 1809, which will be a .ISO file.

2.Extract all files from the patch onto a thumb drive. All this must be done on another computer.

3.On defective computer, hit CTRL+SHIFT+ESC to bring up task manager. You may have to click "more options" to see menu.

4.Under File menu, top left, click "run new task", and "browse". This is the only way I was able to access my file system.

5.Find your thumb drive with extracted Windows patch, and run the Setup file. This will kick off the patch like normal.

After reboot you will be good to go. This has worked for 2 computers now for me, so I think it's the fix.

If this works for you, please give feedback so it doesn't get buried again. Waste to see so many struggle still.

This is the solution that worked for me as well! Thank you so much, you saved me!

A couple of things to note, at least in my particular case:

1. When trying to open Task Manager, it took forever. In fact, I didn't think it was going to do so at first and thought I was hosed. But I let it sit there for a few minutes and then Task Manager finally showed up.
2. When running a new task, I had to mark the "run as administrator" checkbox. Otherwise it just flashed the "run" window and nothing happened.

FOLLOW PERSEUS X 's instructions - he has the reliable solution, all the others are less reliable and probably won't work.

I'd like to try this solution, but when I look at the possible ways to download stuff from Microsoft, it isn't obvious which one to select /where to download from. I don't want to risk "blowing" my working computer in order to get a download for my (now) defective Win 10 computer.

Could you point me to the correct website /option please? I'd be really grateful.

Brian

I did not waste my time with the folder re-naming suggestions and followed the instructions from PERSEUS X

It took me a while to follow the instructions because step 1 says "Download latest Windows full PATCH"

I incorrectly thought that meant the file from here the Windows catalog are for IT weenies updating corporate machines.  I am just a dumb electron plumber (EE) with a PC hobby.

So, after farting around trying to figure out what to do with the .msu file, MicroSquish's illustrious support forum (yes THIS forum) led me to a windows 7 update article to use WUSA.exe

I tried installing the .msu update using the WUSA.exe (Windows Update Standalone Installer), but a dialog box responded telling me update did not apply to my machine!  Hmmm.  Unless there are multiple OS’s masquerading as Win10 x64, I think I may be applying the .msu incorrectly and was following a Windows 7 process.  Silly me thinking I could apply an update patch without being a bona-fide MCSA, MCSE or MCSD!

So, I followed my gut, and just downloaded the full install .iso like a consumer schlepp.  I fired up MediaCreationTool1809.exe and waited for it to do its thing.  Why does downloading an .iso require this app anyway?  Never mind,  I have to remind myself that logic and reason do not apply when maintaining Windows.

Oh!  Here’s why I have to use the app!  So Microsoft can throw another hurdle in front of me - Media creation tool threw fits about not having enough free space on my C: drive to download the file.  I was a gig short on C:  Just let me store it on my D, E, F, or G drive, please!  No?  Ahhhhh!  So after moving some files from my C: drive to another drive (thanks Autodesk for forcing me to keep your trash on my C: drive by the way), I finally got a flash drive loaded with the ........ wait for it.....

The EIGHTEEN-O-NINE WINDERS INSTALL!  yEE hAA bUDDY O-Fella !!  Its November 20^th^ - Maybe the October update is ready for Prime Time on my desktop!

aNyeehoo, I stuck that shiny new October update USB stick in my rig and fired her up....  whoops, I had the boot priority set for UEFI first and didn't realize I was booting back into the update abyss that lay waiting in the bowels of my 40 dollar Microcenter 120 gig SSD.....

Paraphrased quotes I see displayed:

"Windows has some updates for you....

"Hmmm, this is taking longer than expected...  Don't worry, were almost there............................................

And I wait…

................................................................................................................................waiting..........................................................

.........waiting......................................SSD lite is flashing periodically, must be doing something......................

Two hours later I give up.  Tap the power button and my $1500 doorstop; disguised as a gaming PC, shuts down gracefully.  Nice to know the hardware shutdown command still works.  Come on guys – next update lets shoot for a full kernel deadlock that halts all threads.  I know you can do it.  Reach for the stars!

Start her up again and flail on the keyboard to get to the UEFI bios and change the boot priority to USB,

Save and reset, wait for the painfully long start with no desktop, start menu, etc, follow  PERSEUS X instructions 3 thru 5 and

Vie-Oh-Lah! Mission Accomplished. (vie-oh-lah is ‘mericun for Voilà ; btw: I also pronounce Merlot “Murr-Lott”)

Thanks to this tortured community for all the help.  I am a dumbass for taking the long road, but ultimately found success.  Praise our evil overlords in Redmond.

Last note:  This experience does not bode well toward me migrating my critical work computer from Windows 7 to Windows 10.  Microsoft needs to convince me as a small businessman (with no IT staff) that I am protected against waking up some morning to a horror story like the one that just happened between October 10 and today, November 20.  Think of the man-hours of productive work you guys have destroyed and pleasepleaseplease provide me a rock-solid OS I can rely upon before you pull the plug on Windows 7.  To me, Microsoft has more power than the US Government in some respects due to the world’s reliance on Windows to keep us safe, secure, and gainfully employed.