Windows 10: Can't open file explorer, control panel, and task manager

When I go to open file explorer, nothing happens.

When I go to open control panel, the window appears but no icons show up.

When I go to open Task Manager, I get the error 'C:\windows\system32\DUI70.dll'. I looked up how to resolve this issue, and it says to do a sfc /scannow, and I have tried that, but it says 'Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation' after 29%.

Also, when I try to delete an icon off my desktop background, the screen goes black for a couple seconds, and returns back to my desktop screen as if nothing happened.

I googled how to solve all these problems, but none of the solutions worked for me. I tried resetting the pc, but when I click the button to do so, I get the error 'C:\windows\system32\DUI70.dll'.

:)

 

Can't open file explorer, control panel, task manager

When I go to open file explorer, nothing happens.

When I go to open control panel, the window appears but no icons show up.

When I go to open Task Manager, I get the error 'C:\windows\system32\DUI70.dll'. I looked up how to resolve this issue, and it says to do a sfc /scannow, and I have tried that, but it says 'Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation'
after 29%.

Also, when I try to delete an icon off my desktop background, the screen goes black for a couple seconds, and returns back to my desktop screen as if nothing happened.

I googled how to solve all these problems, but none of the solutions worked for me. I tried resetting the pc, but when I click the button to do so, I get the error 'C:\windows\system32\DUI70.dll'.

 

Can't open file explorer, control panel, task manager

Hello,

Have you tried
booting your PC in Safe mode and see if you'd still get the same issue?

Also, please confirm any recent changes made prior to the issue. If updates were done, check our support page and follow advised steps to

resolve Windows Update errors by using the DISM or System Update Readiness tool.

Regards.

 

I suggest you jump straight to doing an in-place upgrade repair install. That's assuming you haven't yet realised just how helpful and time-saving the routine use of disk imaging is; if you'd been doing that, you could readily have restored your system to a previously working state much faster and probably without technical help.

Here's my write-up.

Precede it with this in case sthg has happened to your file system:

From an admin command prompt
[Windows key + X, click command prompt (admin)]
chkdsk C: /F
Your PC will need to restart.
Make sure the result is clear or fixed- else do not proceed.
Post back the result, which you can get after a restart as follows:
How do I see the results of a CHKDSK that ran on boot? - Ask Leo!

An In-place upgrade repair install will fix many things, but not those where the settings are not changed by the procedure.

For this you need an installation medium with the same base build as you have installed, and x64 if you have a 64 bits OS, else x86 (32 bits).

Recommendation:
Before you perform the following major repair procedure, do create a disk image (see below).

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade - Windows 10 Tutorials
- this includes a link from which you can obtain a Windows 10 iso file (" download a Windows 10 ISO"), or create a Win 10 bootable medium.

I would recommend creating the bootable medium, as this can be used
- for any future in-place upgrade repair install
- to boot from and use its recovery options should Windows become unbootable.
- to clean install Windows

This will refresh Windows, after the manner of a Windows installation.
- all/most associations will be unchanged
- all your programs will be left installed
- no personal data should be affected
- you will lose any custom fonts
- you will lose any customised system icons
- you may need to re-establish your Wi-Fi connection
- you will need to redo Windows updates subsequent to the build you have used for the repair install
- Windows.old will be created
- system restore will be turned off- you should turn it on again and I recommend you manually schedule a daily restore point.
- you will need to redo any language downloads including the display language if you changed that)
- inactive title bar colouring (if used) will be reset to default
- if Qttabbar is installed, you need to re-enable it in explorer (Options, check Qttabbar)
This is one of the better features of Win10: as each major build comes out, that's your updated reference build, and as updates are mostly cumulative, there will be few to do.


Please consider using disk imaging regularly. It's a brilliant way to
- preserve your system (and your sanity)
- back up your data
- restore your system to a previously working state in a relatively short time

Recommended: Macrium Reflect (free/commercial) + boot disk/device + large enough external storage medium.