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My windows 10 pc taskbar is gone, and the screen is grey.

Calli Hargrove 0 Reputation points
2025-09-26T00:17:13.53+00:00

I've tried all the shortcuts to access settings, wont show up. I've reset my PC, wont fix it, my background on my pc is dark grey and no apps can be shown. i cant get my taskbar back. When i press the windows button nothing happens. i cant do anything but one web browser. i cant open files or anything. I'm not sure if i have a virus or malware but this wasn't happening the last time i used my PC.

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Performance | Windows desktop and shell experience
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  1. Oliver Nguyen 1,405 Reputation points
    2025-09-26T11:09:41.4633333+00:00

    Hi Calli Hargrove,

    Boot into Safe Mode

    If Explorer won’t stay running: Hold Shift and click Restart (from the login screen → Power menu).

    Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.

    Choose 4 – Safe Mode (or 5 – Safe Mode with Networking).

    Log in and see if taskbar/desktop loads. If it works in Safe Mode, likely a startup program/driver issue.

    Run System File and Health Checks

    Open Task Manager → File > Run new task → type cmd, check Run as administrator.

    Run these commands one by one:
    sfc /scannow

    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

    Last Resort Options

    System Restore: Boot to recovery (Shift + Restart) → Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → System Restore.

    Repair Install: Use a Windows 10 USB stick, choose Upgrade/Repair (keeps files & apps).

    Full Reset: If nothing else works, back up via the browser or Task Manager (notepad.exe → File > Open → navigate files), then do a clean install.

    ============================================

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  2. DaveM121 801.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-09-26T11:39:18.4466667+00:00

    Start your PC, just as Windows attempts to load (spinning dots), press and hold Power Button for 5 - 10 seconds to perform a Hard Shut Down

    Do this twice

    On the third start Windows will boot into the Recovery Environment and from there you can access System Repair, Safe Mode, Command Prompt... etc.

    Please try each option one at a time, then see if Windows will boot to a stable system

    .

    If there is an option to uninstall the latest update, that will be the best option.

    .

    Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - System Restore

    Check to see if you have a restore point you can go back to

    .

    If you do not have a Restore Point, go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - Startup Settings and click Restart

    Upon restart, press 5 to enter Safe Mode

    Is Windows stable in Safe Mode?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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