Desktop Dissappeared

[hlewton]

This is going to be confusing if no one has experienced this because I know I never have so I had no answers for it. This happened to a friend of mine and the problem and description of how it happened and how it was corrected are so sketchy I'm not sure I can describe it well enough to get help.

My friend's husband was playing around on their computer and some how the shortcuts and everything else on the desktop disappeared. They apparently had nothing but the Start button to operate with, as far as they know and he had no idea what he did to cause this.

She took over the computer and somehow after a lengthy session of trying things (what she tried I have no clue and neither, it seems, does she,) she has no clue what she did, but the desktop came back and all is fine now.

Have you heard of anything like this happening, what causes it, and what the cure is?

[stuck]

As a guess, I'd say that is an example of something Woody first mentioned back in February:
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3 ... ppear.html

Ken

[Argus]

Common: Right-click > Hide icons?

(Or a surprise gift from MSFT.)

[stuck]

Common: Right-click > Hide icons?

Right click where? There's no such option when I right click on my Desktop.

Ken

[HansV]

In my version it is: right-click an empty part of the desktop > select View > Show desktop icons.

S3475.png

[hlewton]

As a guess, I'd say that is an example of something Woody first mentioned back in February:
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3 ... ppear.html

Ken

Thank you but I am almost certain they were not updating the computer. If and when they update it, she is the one who does that but I will pass this along.

[stuck]

In my version it is: right-click an empty part of the desktop > select View > Show desktop icons.

Duh, yes, there it is

Thanks,

Ken

[hlewton]

Common: Right-click > Hide icons?

(Or a surprise gift from MSFT.)

Thank you. This sounds like it may be what happened. I will pass this along as well.

[hlewton]

In my version it is: right-click an empty part of the desktop > select View > Show desktop icons.


S3475.png

Thanks for the graphics. I think, as I mentioned above, this is probably what happened and I am going to send her a link to these posts. Even though she is not a member here she would be able to read the thread, wouldn't she?

[HansV]

Yes, everyone can view posts in Eileen's Lounge.

[hlewton]

Yes, everyone can view posts in Eileen's Lounge.

Thanks I thought so and already sent her the link. Hope she recognizes what they may have done to cause and then to fix the problem.

[Argus]

Common: Right-click > Hide icons?

Right click where? There's no such option when I right click on my Desktop.

Ken

Was on the way away from the PC and didn't want to start Win10; of course, as in earlier operating systems, one can activate or deactivate check marks for some (basic) options in the right-click context menu for the Desktop, as Hans showed; just didn't use the correct syntax. (That, however, will not cause the Desktop to disapear; it's still there in the user's profile.)

[hlewton]

Common: Right-click > Hide icons?

Right click where? There's no such option when I right click on my Desktop.

Ken

Was on the way away from the PC and didn't want to start Win10; of course, as in earlier operating systems, one can activate or deactivate check marks for some (basic) options in the right-click context menu for the Desktop, as Hans showed; just didn't use the correct syntax. (That, however, will not cause the Desktop to disapear; it's still there in the user's profile.)

So I assume that is why it was possible to retrieve.

[Argus]

The Desktop comprises stacked layers/windows/"things" (in the z-order); it's possible it just puts the current wallpaper on top of everthing.

Here's a MSFT "guide" on the same topic, show/hide desktop icons:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/hel ... ktop-icons

[hlewton]

I did contact the lady and she now tells me that her husband accidentally put their computer into "Tablet" mode. I have never heard of that so I know nothing about it. She somehow figured out all she needed to do was put it back into "Desktop" mode. Not sure how accurate this report is but that is what was told to me.

[HansV]

See Use your PC like a tablet.

[hlewton]

See Use your PC like a tablet.

Thank you.