Microsoft has managed to improve stability in its last two operating systems and it is quite rare to have problems such as blue screens. This does not mean that there can always be some type of problem or failure, in the end, it is a Microsoft operating system. If in Windows your computer freezes on the desktop without icons or taskbar, we are going to explain how to correct it.
Something typical of Microsoft operating systems are blue screens, which increased in Windows XP. The company has worked to minimize these problems and since Windows 10 these are quite rare.
Just because Windows has gained stability does not mean that it is free of operating problems. Many users report that Windows does not load icons or the taskbar after logging in. Even left and right mouse clicking, as well as keyboard shortcuts, do not work.
This happens in both Windows 11 and Windows 10, interchangeably. We are going to explain several possible solutions to this problem.
Restart the graphics driver
The first and simplest action we can do is try to restart the graphics driver. It may be that, for some reason, it has malfunctioned during the Windows loading process. Doing it is simple, we just have to press this key combination: Win+Ctrl+Shift+B
After this you will notice that the screen starts to flicker and goes black for a second, then reappears, something that is normal. If it works for you, we recommend updating the graphics driver. If it does not work, move on to the next corrective process.
Restart the browser
Since the computer is frozen, we cannot use the usual mechanisms to make corrections manually. What we should do is try the combination: Ctrl + Alt + Del. If this action works and a black screen and a menu appear, you must click on the “Task Manager” option.
After this, the “Task Manager” should appear on the screen. Now we should be able to right-click on Windows Explorer and select the “Restart” option.
New task to restart with clean boot
If the Ctrl + Alt + Del combination works for you, you can try the following option. You can choose to disable all startup applications by following these steps:
- Click on the “Run new task” option.
- Now write MSConfig and press accept.
- Within the “System Configuration” window you must go to the “Services” tab
- Now select the checkbox that says “Hide all Microsoft services.”
- Now, you need to click on “Disable all” to disable the third-party services.
- Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
- Restart the computer.
This should fix the problem forever, but if it persists you will need to boot into safe mode.
Boot in safe mode
If it didn’t work, you need to boot into safe mode to repair the damaged files from here. To enter safe mode you must be in the Windows recovery environment. Accessing this mode can be done by holding the Shift key during the reboot. This may not work if your computer is frozen.
If you can, you should open the CMD, something that can be done like this:
- Press the key combination: Ctrl + Alt + Del
- Click on “Run new task.”
- Type the following: cmd.exe
- Click “Accept.”
- Enter this command: reagentc /boottore
- Restart the computer.
Within the Windows recovery environment you must follow these steps:
- Click on “Advanced options”.
- Go to “Troubleshoot”.
- Click on “Advanced options”.
- You now have to click on “Startup Settings”.
- Now click on “Restart”.
It is possible that you have not been able to open the “Task Manager”. In this case you can use a slightly rougher method to skip the Windows recovery system. Follow these steps:
- Turn off the computer by pressing the power button for a few seconds.
- Press the power button and when the motherboard manufacturer’s logo appears, press the power button immediately until it turns off.
- On the third failed attempt to boot, Windows will send you to the “Advanced Startup” screen.
- Press F4 to enter Safe Mode.
Once here, follow the guidelines in the next section.
Windows Boot Repair
“Safe Mode” is a basic Windows functional environment, designed to correct any type of problem. Once you are here you must follow these steps:
- Go to the “Settings” of Windows 11.
- Next, enter the “System” tab.
- Scroll down until you find the “Recovery” option.
- You will see the “Advanced startup” option and you must click on the “Restart now” button.
Now, a special Windows menu will start where you must follow these steps:
- Click on “Advanced options”.
- Click on “Troubleshoot”.
- Now click on “Advanced options”.
- Finally in “Startup Repair”.
This should be more than enough to solve the problem. If none of this works you should check the RAM, it may have a problem.