Blank desktop in Windows

Sometimes, when you log on to Windows, you may see a ‘blank desktop’ or ‘no desktop’. When this occurs, you need to press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to start Task Manager, but explorer.exe is not scheduled in the list of running tasks or processes. Starting a new instance of Explorer.exe does not resolve the problem. This concern can occur if there is an older version of the Shdocvw.dll file in the %SystemRoot% folder. Because Explorer.exe is placed in the %SystemRoot% folder, the search path for any called files starts in the %SystemRoot% folder before the path is searched. The default search sort always looks for a called file in the folder containing the program file before searching the path to place the file.

          To resolve this issue:

1. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, and then click Task Manager

2. On the File menu, click New Task (Run)

3. Type cmd.exe and then press ENTER

4. If necessary, change to the %SystemRoot% folder

5. Rename the Shdocvw.dll file by typing ren shdocvw.dll shdocvw.old

6. Restart the computer

The desktop may also be blank if your computer is configured for various monitors and the icons are on a portion of the desktop that is outside the viewable range. Check the properties for the video adapter, and then click Settings. If two monitors are displayed, but only one is in use, click the first monitor, and then check the settings. If the Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor check box is chosen, click to clear the check box, and then click Apply. The icons must then reappear. 

           When you log on to a Windows XP-based computer, a blank desktop may appear. The desktop contains no desktop icons, and the Start button does not appear. A supported hotfix is existing from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is projected to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not relentlessly affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix. To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows XP Service Pack 2 or a later version installed. You have to resume the computer after you apply this hotfix. This hotfix does not replace any other previously released hotfixes. To use this hotfix, you do not have to create any changes to the registry. 


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