Windows 10: I can't do anything on my computer because my taskbar and file explorer are unresponsive....

As the title says, my taskbar and file explorer are unresponsive. Some startup apps still load normally when I boot up, but soon turn unresponsive again, with the same window like the picture below popping up.


I first found out there was a problem a few days ago. I could still use the computer properly though it may have just been the internet browser if I remember correctly, but then I realized that some of the apps on my taskbar lost their icon, said something like"the file this shortcut leads to is gone" when I clicked on it or both. I realized that the files or programs I couldn't access were all located on my external hard disk drive. I opened up Disk Management and it said that that disk had nothing in it—it had 100% free capacity.


To check whether they were really gone, I opened up File Explorer, but it stopped responding. I then tried to go to "add or remove programs" in system settings, but then there were no programs listed at all.


Now, I can't really use the computer at all. First, it takes really long to boot up, and every time it will say "Scanning and preparing drive E:" Once it does boot up, it runs significantly slower than it did before, and I can't do anything. When the taskbar works and I try to open file explorer, it is still unresponsive. Sometimes, it even removes all the icons in the task manager. Force closing it using Task Manager just makes the taskbar unresponsive and freezes my computer, and I can't do anything other than shut it down using the power button.

Thanks for reading, I'd really appreciate any help.



:)

 

File explorer icon from taskbar dissappears while working on it

Hi,

To assist you with your concern, we suggest you pin the File Explorer from the Start Menu by following these steps:

• Click the Start Menu.
• Right-click File Explorer.
• Choose Pin to taskbar.

If you need further assistance, feel free to reply to this post.

 

Cannot launch File Explorer from taskbar in Windows 10

Hi Juzzy,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

I understand your concern and will assist you to resolve this issue.

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

• First unpin the File Explorer from the task bar.
• Press Windows + E.
• And right click on File Explorer in the taskbar.
• And Pin the File Explorer to Taskbar and Check if it helps.

Hope this helps. If the issue remains unresolved, please get back to us and we would be happy to help.

 

File explorer

Hi Mick,

I am sorry to know that the File Explorer is not working on the Taskbar.

I suggest you to right-click on it to unpin it from the task bar.

Then search for File Explorer in Search. Then right-click on it to Pin it to Taskbar.

If the issue persists, try the steps below.

• 
  Type CMD in Search. Right click on it to run as an administrator.
  
• 
  Type the following 4 commands at the Command prompt:
  

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

sfc /scannow

powershell

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers |Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like "*SystemApps*"} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

• 
  Close the CMD window.
  
• 
  Check to see if the issue is resolved. If not, restart the PC.
  

Hope this helps in resolving the issue. If the issue persists, do get back to us. We will be happy to assist you.