Windows 10: SOLVED Can run apps, can't start safe-mode, Windows task bar just has a rotating icon and...

5 year old HP laptop running Win 10. It's recently started flashing the display and it's impossible to get any apps to run. This is what it looks like https://imgur.com/a/JelDRsO and this one https://imgur.com/a/x3RNMBd shows the taskbar. It may be an update-related issue but I can't access a roll-back. Nor can I access safe mode as mashing the F8 doesn't working any more. Plugging into an external monitor doesn't make any difference. As nothing works I can't imagine a tech could remote in. I imagine the cost of a local repair would exceed its value. However, money is rea

:)

 

No Icons visible in task bar, Win 10

Hi Richard,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community, we appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

As you are facing issues with icons in the Task bar after November update, do let us know the following:

• Is this issue confined only with icons in the Task bar?
• What happens when you try to click on those icons?
• What exactly do you mean by: "they are there but not visible"?

Method 1: If you are referring to showing up of different icons in Task in System tray, I suggest you to try the below and check if it helps.

• Press Windows key from the Keyboard, type
  Turn system icons On or Off and select it.
• Try to turn on the icons that are visible.

Method 2:

Step 1: If not, I suggest you to place the computer in safe mode and check if the icons are visible to access.

Refer: Start your PC in safe mode in Windows 10


If the issue still persists,

Step 2: This issue might have occurred due to corrupted or missing system files after the update. I suggest you to place the computer in normal mode and try to perform SFC scan.

Steps: Place the computer in normal mode.

• Press Windows + R keys to open
  Run command.
• Type msconfig and press
  Enter.
• In the System Configuration
  window, click on General tab.
• Select Start-up selection as Normal startup, click on Apply and Ok.
• Follow onscreen instructions.

Perform SFC scan, System File Checkeris a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files.

Follow the below steps:

• Right click on the Start button, click on
  Command Prompt (Admin).
• Type “sfc /scannow” without the quotes and hit
  Enter.
• After the scan, restart the computer and check for the issue.

Hope it helps. Reply to the post with an updated status of this issue with required information, we will be happy to help you.

 

No Start Menu and Problems with Task Icons

Hi,



Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.



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

• 
  Clicking on the start menu icon (left click) does nothing, Right click brings up a simple function list
  
  
  
  
  
  You can try these steps:
  

• • Open the Task manager. Here’s a tip: Press CTRL+Shift+ESC.
  • Click File > Run New Task
  • Make sure you have a check mark beside “Create this task with administrative privileges”
  • Type Powershell
  • Type the following in the Powershell prompt:
    
    $manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest
  • Close the Powershell window
  • Reboot

• 
  Clicking on the File Explorer icon (task bar) does nothing. Right click does nothing.
  
• 
  Right clicking on any task bar icon, including open apps, does nothing
  

For these issues you can try these steps:



Method 1: I suggest you to run the SFC scan and check if it helps.

Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files: (Windows Logo Key + X and then click on Command Prompt).

Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files

• 
  Several apps (Mozilla Thunderbird, Norton 360 specifically, have not been able to have been updated or re-installed. Norton support, using remote desktop app, gave up after 4+ hours of work today.
  

For this issue I would suggest you to run the app in compatibility mode





I would request to refer this link



Explore Windows 10 OS, Computers, Apps, & More | Microsoft



Hope it helps. Keep us posted if you face any issues related to Windows in future. We will be glad to help you.

Thank you

 

Windows 10 Apps are Invisible in the Task Bar

Hello Lumumba,

We appreciate the details that you've provided. Based on your description, some application icons are still missing after resetting the icon cache. This is most likely a corrupted system file issue. For us to help you with this, kindly answer the following
questions for further research:

• Have you made any recent changes on your Windows 10 prior to this issue?
• What is the current build and version number of your Windows 10? To check, press the Windows key, type winver, and press the Enter key.
• Do you have another user account? Are you also experiencing the same issue on another user account?
• Have you tried pinning the applications on the task bar? Are they still invisible? If not, are they still visible after a reboot?

Meanwhile, we suggest that pin some applications on the task bar and proceed to

safe mode. Please verify if there will be any changes or if the task bar icons will still be visible.

Kindly get back to us.