Forum Discussion
Windows 11 Dev build Missing Taskbar
This has been happening the last month or so. Whenever I turn on my pc the taskbar does not show, I do not have access to the start menu, Windows Update, Windows Defender or my display settings. Im only running one monitor and I get the message "This file does not have an app associated with it for performing this action..." Im at a loss of what to do. I've been searching and only found one other person with the same issue as me and no fix mentioned. I've killed explorer.exe and restarted it and that sometimes fixes it.
I'm currently on the latest dev build of win 11 and all of my drivers are up to date.
My PC specs:
MSI Tomahawk MAX
Ryzen 3600
EVGA RTX 3080 FTW 3 Ultra
Triden z 16gb
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
- now who are updated to newer build all have the same problem
we have to wait for solution from microsoft
94 Replies
- I was able to fix it on mine but had to roll back to earlier date by using the restore app in systems32 folder.
I also have the same issue, other than explorer my Surface is now useless and I cant use it all all for work or any activites. merk311
- Thankfully I was able to fix mine by system restore to date 08/27/21 and afterwards paused windows updates.
- Just keep in mind that you will have to redo it in 7 days, Start then stop again unless u get lucky and it asks to restart/shutdown with update. If it does, dont do the shutdown with update
- pretty sure as a serious bug as this is, that they hopefully found a fix by then. they gave an update on twitter that they're investigating the issue.
- Its nice not being able to see my hard drives or documents or anything that might be important!!: )
- Yeah I understand. I'm in the same boat.
I'm trying my hardest to fix it.
- Note, duplicate conversation on the same issue here (no fixes)
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-insider-program/windows-11-dev-build-missing-taskbar/td-p/2595899 - Same issue here after installing the latest "Quality" update. Tried:
* Uninstalling the quality update - nothing
* Tried system restore - just fails
* I can get task manager open, but then options are limited (at least "iexplore" now opens edge 😄 )
Ironically, any apps with icons on my desktop still run fine, it's just the Windows shell that has gone to hell. - I wanna say that it is affecting other programs as well. Discord does not want to open. And the PC takes 10 second from the PIN screen to desktop. It should be 10 seconds from start button to desktop. Explorer's failure to load is causing other issues on the PC as well.
This just started for me right now.Taskbar is blank and exlorer.exe is not respnding even after mulitple retarts. Cursor over the taskbar show busy pointer. If I right click the taskbat the screen flashes white. I can't use the computer at all! What now?
- You are gonna have to do what I did and do a system recovery to a earlier date that will remove the current update. Its extremely bugged
- It's like a floodgate just opened up. Seems like this previously isolated issue is happening to everyone now. techlauren and everyone just in reading this, save yourself a lot of time and headaches and try to do a soft reset through the settings app (If you can get to it). You might just have to use the Windows 11 ISO; If you do, make sure to use the BETA Channel. It is more stable. You could always try to use a Windows 10 ISO to downgrade, but I have no idea if that will keep your personal files. Of course, if this computer you upgraded on has nothing of value on it, wipe away! The "clean-install" edition (Lol) of Windows 11 is very smooth and stable (So far).
NOTE: If you have programs installed, they will get wiped by any type of reset. You can try to get a software like GeekUninstaller installed to make a file list of all the currently installed programs for reference after the great wipe. If you choose to keep your personal files, they will be kept safe, but as always, it's better to be safe with a backup than sorry in case Windows screws up again.
Windows 11 ISO download page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewiso
Windows 11 x64 Beta Channel ISO (Direct download): https://software-download.microsoft.com/pr/Windows11_InsiderPreview_Client_x64_en-us_22000.iso?t=ae740b02-72bd-4a9a-8104-19e41995931a&e=1630716322&h=51acc246f38cadf26e2d6a55e9b70dee
Rufus download (To properly mount the ISO on a USB drive if needed): https://rufus.ie/en/- Beta is forbidden. ISO says you need to be an insider member.
- Well, I uninstalled the Last update. 5191,, no change. I am looking for the ISO. I guess Im reinstalling. Explorer wont restart properly. Cant access any menus without "run" control panel.
- I noticed explorer is hung up wating for svhost PID 1472 this time it's PID 1488. I created a dump file which I cannot access since I can't use explorer.
- now who are updated to newer build all have the same problem
we have to wait for solution from microsoft - Yep I just updated my windows dev build and this happened. Nothing works anymore how are we able to fix this?!!!
