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PC Desktop Refreshes Constantly: Issue with Start Bar, Browsers & Icons- Need Step-by-Step Help

saleen1 9681 17
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Jak naprawić komputer z Windows 10, na którym pulpit stale się odświeża, pasek Start i ikony nie reagują, a Menedżer zadań i tryb awaryjny nie chcą się uruchomić?

Najbardziej prawdopodobny jest problem z dyskiem twardym, bo objawy pasują do jego awarii, a w trakcie diagnozy wyszło też 100% użycia dysku i komputer został później uznany za uszkodzony dysk [#16872728][#16873111] Jeśli możesz uruchomić komputer z pendrive’a lub płyty, użyj Ultimate Boot CD i Parted Magic albo narzędzi typu MHDD, HDSentinel, Victoria/Vivard, a w Disk Health sprawdź SMART i atrybuty dysku [#16871497][#16871653] Gdy uda się wejść do Menedżera zadań, zamknij explorer.exe i sprawdź, czy nie ma procesu obciążającego dysk; przy 100% zajętości to on może blokować pulpit [#16871537][#16872728] Na Windows 10 klawisz F8 zwykle nie działa, więc spróbuj wejścia do trybu awaryjnego według instrukcji Microsoftu albo użyj F9 / Shift+Restart, żeby wejść do odzyskiwania [#16871677][#16872728] Jeśli nie masz drugiego sprawnego komputera do przygotowania nośnika, bez pendrive’a/DVD diagnostyka i naprawa będą bardzo ograniczone [#16871666][#16872728]
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  • #1 16871458
    saleen1
    Level 7  
    Hello, as in the subject - I turned on the computer, entered the password normally, the desktop was displayed, and nothing can be done. Open browsers, open any icons, the start bar does not work, just a spin. Additionally, the desktop refreshes itself every minute. I cannot enter the manager, no keyboard shortcut works. I am completely green in this topic, so if someone would like to help me please step by step instructions. I urgently need a computer for work.
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  • #2 16871467
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    Write what kind of computer, OS and safe mode is working.
    Check HDD bootable MHDD, that is, give this HDD to SMART.
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  • #3 16871478
    djtommy
    Level 24  
    Disconnect devices connected to USB and check if the problem persists.
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  • #4 16871491
    saleen1
    Level 7  
    safbot1st wrote:
    Write what kind of computer, OS and safe mode is working.
    Check HDD bootable MHDD, that is, give this HDD to SMART.


    Stationary, msi h61 motherboard - I remember that much.
    Safe Mode does not work.
    I don't understand the second command

    Added after 1 [minutes]:

    djtommy wrote:
    Disconnect devices connected to USB and check if the problem persists.


    Disconnecting all USB devices did nothing
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  • #7 16871542
    saleen1
    Level 7  
    Kolobos wrote:
    Looks like a problem with the explorer.

    Does alt + ctrl + del work? Manager on? If so, quit the explorer, start the browser, download FRST: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/farbar-recovery-scan-tool/ perform a scan and include in the attachment the addition.txt and frst.txt files that are being created after scanning.


    Well, it doesn't work either: - / as I wrote, the manager does not start. I can literally do nothing but move the mouse on the desktop
  • #8 16871569
    djtommy
    Level 24  
    Hover over the taskbar, right click and launch task manager.
  • #9 16871580
    saleen1
    Level 7  
    djtommy wrote:
    Hover over the taskbar, right click and launch task manager.


    It's not possible. Picture below
    Attachments:
    • PC Desktop Refreshes Constantly: Issue with Start Bar, Browsers & Icons- Need Step-by-Step Help 20171206_114545.jpg (4.96 MB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
    • PC Desktop Refreshes Constantly: Issue with Start Bar, Browsers & Icons- Need Step-by-Step Help 20171206_114709.jpg (5.33 MB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #10 16871606
    djtommy
    Level 24  
    Is this Windows 10?
    How did you try to start safe mode?
  • #11 16871638
    saleen1
    Level 7  
    djtommy wrote:
    Is this Windows 10?
    How did you try to start safe mode?


    Yes, win10. He acted without charge for a very long time.
    After restarting the computer (manual restart, standard start-close etc does not work as seen) I pressed the F8 key pulsating for some time. I hope that was it
  • #13 16871666
    saleen1
    Level 7  
    Robert B wrote:
    We will finally see the SMART disk ??
    www.hdsentinel.com
    or bootable MHDD, Vivard, Victoria etc ...
    https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic1467175.html
    https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3190106.html


    I would be glad if only I had the opportunity to download this program and throw it on my computer. I have one and the only currently damaged PC and phone
  • #15 16871685
    Robert B
    Level 43  
    saleen1 wrote:
    I have one and the only currently damaged PC and phone

    And you probably expect that one of us will come with a pen and do diagnostics for you?
    Don't joke that you don't have anyone you know with a working computer.
  • #16 16871697
    saleen1
    Level 7  
    Robert B wrote:
    saleen1 wrote:
    I have one and the only currently damaged PC and phone

    And you probably expect that one of us will come with a pen and do diagnostics for you?
    Don't joke that you don't have anyone you know with a working computer.


    I expect nothing from you, not even help. Do you think I would sit like an orphan and browse the net looking for information if I currently had anyone to help? Everyone at school or at work.
    For your grace, don't answer and don't try to "help" anymore, because it works the other way around

    Added after 3 [minutes]:

    djtommy wrote:
    On Windows 10, the F8 key probably doesn't work.
    Check out the ways described here https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12376/windows-10-start-your-pc-in-safe-mode


    Damn it doesn't work. The computer starts itself directly to the login page and here the mouse and keyboard work without any problems and I can enter the password or restart and turn off the computer - these options are not available when the desktop starts

    Added after 1 [hours] 52 [minutes]:

    Kolobos wrote:
    Looks like a problem with the explorer.

    Does alt + ctrl + del work? Manager on? If so, quit the explorer, start the browser, download FRST: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/farbar-recovery-scan-tool/ perform a scan and include in the attachment the addition.txt and frst.txt files that are being created after scanning.


    After several reboots, we managed to enter the manager so much that there is nowhere for the explorer task. And disk performance reaches 100%
  • #17 16872728
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    You have a smartphone, so post a photo of this manager or find the process that charges the disk and "kill" it (Del and ENTER key on the process).
    djtommy wrote:
    On Windows 10, the F8 key probably doesn't work.

    I think a lot of it. If this W10 is as an upgrade from e.g. W8, W8.1 or W7, the recovery keys will work differently - just like the system whose recovery is on HDD.
    Please @ saleen1 try using F9 to call the Recovery function and write that you have successfully entered.
    The second thing - being on the desktop "like" restart the computer, but hold SHIFT and clicking Restart (as it will succeed with such a cutting desktop).

    Added after 1 [minutes]:

    If the problem is in an inoperative hard drive, then as colleagues write - nothing can be done without a USB pen.
    ps. I read that F8 works on higher versions of windows but there is a very small period of time to call recovery.
  • #18 16873111
    saleen1
    Level 7  
    The computer has been checked and the disk is damned: - / probably some virus did the job, fortunately we are recovering data.
    Thank you for all helpful answers, I consider the topic closed.
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Topic summary

✨ The user reported an issue with their desktop computer where the desktop refreshes every minute, and they are unable to interact with the start bar, open browsers, or access icons. Safe Mode is not functioning, and keyboard shortcuts are ineffective. Suggestions from responders included checking the hard drive's SMART status, disconnecting USB devices, and using recovery tools like Ultimate Boot CD and FRST for diagnostics. The user confirmed they are using Windows 10 and experienced difficulties entering Safe Mode. Eventually, they discovered that the hard drive was damaged, likely due to a virus, and are in the process of recovering data.
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FAQ

TL;DR: If Windows 10 logs in but the desktop keeps refreshing and nothing opens, suspect Explorer and gather diagnostics; FRST creates 2 files and “Looks like a problem with the explorer.” [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16871537] Why it matters: This FAQ gives step‑by‑step fixes when Start, browsers, and icons won’t respond on Windows 10 PCs.

Quick Facts

Why does my Windows 10 desktop keep refreshing and the Start menu not respond?

A crashing or hung Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) can loop refresh and block Start, icons, and browsers. Treat it as an Explorer/startup issue first, then collect logs for deeper analysis. As one helper put it, “Looks like a problem with the explorer.” [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16871537]

How do I start Safe Mode on Windows 10 if F8 doesn't work?

Use modern recovery: from the sign‑in screen, hold Shift and select Restart to reach Advanced Startup, then choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → Safe Mode. F8 often doesn’t respond on newer Windows 10 setups. [Elektroda, djtommy, post #16871677]

What quick check should I try first when everything freezes after login?

Unplug all USB devices (hubs, storage, receivers) and reboot. Faulty or power‑hungry USB peripherals can hang the shell during initialization. This isolation step is quick and reversible. Reconnect one by one after a clean boot. [Elektroda, djtommy, post #16871478]

How can I open Task Manager if Ctrl+Alt+Del won’t work?

Try right‑clicking the taskbar and select Task Manager. If the context menu appears, you can end tasks or start diagnostics. If it fails or the menu is missing, proceed to recovery or boot media. [Elektroda, djtommy, post #16871569]

Why doesn’t taskbar right‑click work to open Task Manager on my system?

In severe shell hangs, the taskbar context menu can be disabled or never renders. That blocks the right‑click route even though the mouse moves. This is expected when Explorer is unstable. [Elektroda, saleen1, post #16871580]

How do I gather malware/autorun diagnostics when Explorer is broken?

Run FRST (Farbar Recovery Scan Tool). It generates two logs (FRST.txt and Addition.txt) used to pinpoint startup and shell issues. If Ctrl+Alt+Del works, launch a browser and download FRST to scan. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16871537]

What is SMART and why should I check it?

SMART is a drive’s self‑monitoring data (reallocated sectors, pending errors, temperature). Reading SMART helps confirm failing disks before they corrupt the OS shell. Use a boot tool if Windows won’t start. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16871467]

How do I check the disk’s SMART without booting Windows (3 steps)?

  1. Create a bootable Ultimate Boot CD on another PC.
  2. Boot the problem PC from it and start Parted Magic.
  3. Open Disk Health → Attributes and photograph the SMART table for review. [Elektroda, Kasek21, post #16871497]

How can I kill a process that’s pegging the disk at 100% when the PC is barely responsive?

Open Task Manager, sort by Disk, select the top offender, press Del then Enter to end it. Photograph Task Manager if needed for later analysis. Use this only to stabilize and gather data. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16872728]

Login screen works but desktop won’t; what does that suggest?

Working input at sign‑in with a dead desktop suggests a post‑login shell issue or storage stall. One case showed 100% disk usage after login, matching severe responsiveness loss. [Elektroda, saleen1, post #16871697]

What is Ultimate Boot CD / Parted Magic in this context?

Ultimate Boot CD is a toolkit; Parted Magic is its Linux environment with storage utilities. Use it to read SMART and test disks when Windows is stuck. It avoids writing to the failing drive. [Elektroda, Kasek21, post #16871497]

How do I reach recovery options if the desktop is frozen?

From the desktop or sign‑in screen, hold Shift and click Restart to access recovery. On some PCs, vendor keys like F9 can call Recovery as well. “Hold SHIFT and clicking Restart.” [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16872728]

Why does my desktop refresh every minute?

A looping shell restart can redraw the desktop each minute, leaving icons and Start unusable. Treat it as an Explorer or startup conflict until disk or malware faults are ruled out. [Elektroda, saleen1, post #16871458]

What was the resolution in the thread this FAQ summarizes?

Diagnostics showed a damaged disk. Data recovery was underway, and software fixes alone were not enough. Replace the drive and restore from backups. [Elektroda, saleen1, post #16873111]
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