No taskbar after update to windows server 2025

hi Collin11​ Here are the known causes and the working fixes for the missing taskbar issue on Windows Server 2025 / 24H2 after installing KB5066835.

This update is currently causing Explorer and Shell UI components to fail on some systems.

Working Fixes

Fix 1 — Uninstall KB5066835 (Most Reliable)

This update is the root cause, and uninstalling it restores the taskbar immediately.

Method A — Using Command Line

Open an elevated PowerShell or CMD:

wusa /uninstall /kb:5066835

Reboot when prompted.

Method B — Using DISM

If WUSA fails:

dism /online /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_KB5066835

Reboot → Taskbar should reappear.

Fix 2 — Reinstall Windows Desktop Experience

Some systems lose ShellExperienceHost registration.

Run:

Add-WindowsFeature Desktop-Experience

Then reboot.

Fix 3 — Re-register Shell Components

This sometimes helps, but rarely works for KB5066835 (still worth trying if you cannot uninstall):

Run PowerShell as admin:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

And:

sfc /scannow

DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Temporary Workaround (If you must keep the update)

Install a third-party taskbar just to keep the system usable until Microsoft fixes the issue:

StartIsBack++

ExplorerPatcher

StartAllBack

Not ideal, but works.