Windows 10: disk clean-up changed start/desktop

My inexpensive Toshiba convertible laptop just keeps running slower and slower, so Tuesday I read somewhere about Disk Clean-up (C-Net?) and tried using it. I hoped that since data was promised not to be lost, I could safely go the extra step of running a system clean-up option in the process.


Now my entire W10 desktop has changed, including the leftside taskbar. Before the process I had Start apps alphabetically listed in a column on the left of my screen. To the right were tiles, 2-3 wide, and scrollable. The rest of the screen was clear. My basic desktop had maybe 20 shortcut thumbnails that I used often enough to make shortcuts handier than searching the app list. And I had them placed around the screen in a format for ease of locating/remembering, and grouped by topic... such as word processors together, photo/video links together, device manuals and links together, etc.


The clean-up wiped my desktop clear of those old shortcuts. Now there is no app list column on the left side at all when Start is pressed, and there is a second grouping of tiles on the middle and right of the screen, which only serves to jumble and confuse the view; i.e. I can't see the tree for the forest thing. I'd just as soon have the tiles in a single scrollable 2-3-wide format like it originally was.


Additionally the left side taskbar is minus the Search field that used to be there. Now there's a left-pointing arrow that's a "back" function I don't remember before, followed by a white circle which must be clicked to open a search feature. That's an extra unnecessary step that also wasn't there before. Sans a Taskbar Search field there is no microphone icon like before. But "Hey Cortana" still works okay.


The "book" I have ('Windows 10 for Beginners' - not the greatest learning tool ever published) doesn't seem to explain how to get everything back to what I had. I'm most perturbed by the loss of the desktop shortcut thumbnails, some of which were Folders with links inside to our medical records and resources, etc.) Is my only option to find a complete app/program list on the computer and try one-by-one adding shortcuts again? So far my efforts right-clicking apps mostly brings menus with no "add shortcut" option; those that do appear to consider a tile a shortcut - no thumbnail appears on the desktop. Just like right-clicking the desktop no longer provides configuration options for it. Maybe I'm confusing Desktop with Start, and should be right-clicking the Start menu?


Oh for the XP days!

:)

 

Can't safely remove external disk

In reference to the steps of your suggestions:

• The issue is specific to the particular disk and it started after I've used the disk to save the System image backup (created with the Control Panel > File History tool).
• I didn't disable any windows Service. I'm just wondering if there is any to disable.
• Safe boot with networking, or clean boot doesn't resolve the issue.

Thank you.

 

Disk cleanup don't cleans Windows Update Cleanup.

For us to better assist you, we would like to ask a few questions regarding disk clean up.

• Have you made any updates or changes to your computer before experiencing this issue?
• Are you getting any error messages when cleaning the Windows Update Clean up?
• Have you tried any troubleshooting steps before posting this concern? If yes, what are those?

Looking forward to your response.

 

Disk Number changed and Can not format

Hi,



Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community. I regret the inconvenience caused to you. Let me help you.



I suggest you to follow the below steps and check if it helps.

• 
  Right click on the Start Menu.
  
• 
  Select Disk Management.
  
• 
  Right-click on the drive letter you want to change and click
  Change Drive Letter and Paths.
  
• 
  Click Change...
  
• 
  Use the drop down to the right of Assign the following drive letter: to select a new drive letter.
  
• 
  Click OK.
  

Try formatting the disk again.



I hope the information helps. Please keep us posted on the issue. We will be happy to assist you accordingly.

Thank you.