Troubleshoot File Explorer cannot be accessed

[Anti]

I tried to reset the icon cache for a few programs with the registry, but something went wrong and I ended up making it so I couldn't access File Explorer or use the taskbar.

Does anyone have a fix?

 

[Faybert]

Type the shortcut to search for cmd: WinKey+R
then type cmd in the search, in the Command form that shows up, at the prompt type: sfc /scannow
and hit Enter.
The System File Checker wll run and try to fix any errors it finds

 

[frogboy]

lick This also might help, right click on the tasb and open Task Manager. Scroll down till you find Windows Explorer right click to open option then double restart Explorer. It can help.

 

[TairikuOkami]

Try to run CMD as admin and copy/paste:

reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v "Shell" /t REG_SZ /d "explorer.exe" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v "Userinit" /t REG_SZ /d "C:\Windows\System32\userinit.exe," /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v "Shell" /t REG_SZ /d "explorer.exe" /f
reg add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager" /v "BootExecute" /t REG_MULTI_SZ /d "autocheck autochk *" /f
reg add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager" /v "SETUPEXECUTE" /t REG_MULTI_SZ /d "" /f

Additionally you can try to download and run this as admin (it includes SFC scan and etc): [Batch] Windows Update Fix - Pastebin.com

 

[Syafiq]

@Anti Alternatively, you can try to do a System Restore Don't touch the Windows registry unless you're really know what are you doing

 

[shmu26]

If you backup the registry before changing it, you are in a much better position to undo problems. I usually don't follow my own advice, but that is because I make frequent system image backups, and yes, I do use them.

 

[Anti]

Try to run CMD as admin and copy/paste:

reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v "Shell" /t REG_SZ /d "explorer.exe" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v "Userinit" /t REG_SZ /d "C:\Windows\System32\userinit.exe," /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v "Shell" /t REG_SZ /d "explorer.exe" /f
reg add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager" /v "BootExecute" /t REG_MULTI_SZ /d "autocheck autochk *" /f
reg add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager" /v "SETUPEXECUTE" /t REG_MULTI_SZ /d "" /f

Additionally you can try to download and run this as admin (it includes SFC scan and etc): [Batch] Windows Update Fix - Pastebin.com

I hope this doesn't kill my PC. And with the fact I'm getting most "Access Denied" while running this script as I speak I have to say it might.

 

[Ink]

I tried to reset the icon cache for a few programs with the registry

You should not have needed to modify the Windows Registry to rebuild the Icon Cache.

Thumbnail files can be erased using Windows Disk Clean-up
Reset Icon Cache: Rebuild Icon Cache, Clear Thumbnail cache in Windows 10
Or download the 'Thumbnail and Cache Re-builder' tool: Thumbnail and Icon Cache Rebuilder for Windows 10

Increasing the cache size requires the Windows Registry to be modified.
How to increase Icon Cache size in Windows 10/8/7

 

[Anti]

Oh... but anyways, I have found a restore point, but to use it I need to enable system protection...

 

[DavidLMO]

Run Restore point from Safe Mode - not regular mode. Choose a Restore point prior to when things got hosed.

 

[Anti]

Okay... this thread can be closed. I ran a registry repair and it worked... but "Reset this PC" keeps saying "install environment not found".