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Resolved Need to restore desktop icons after virus attack

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Daanii, 2010/12/04.

  1. 2010/12/04
    Daanii

    Daanii Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    We have a desktop computer running Windows XP. My son runs a separate user account and got hit by a virus, windefragmenter. My user did not have a problem with the virus, and we were able to run Malwarebytes and clean it out.

    But now my son's desktop comes up blank, with a black background and no program icons on it. We are able to use the "Start" button at the bottom, since that tray comes up. So we can run programs.

    Is there any way to get the program icons (including "Trash ") back? Or have they gone to bit heaven in the sky?
     
    Daanii,
    #1
  2. 2010/12/04
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi Daanii. I would say that you should just backup the data (documents, pictures, music, etc) that are on your sons user account and create a new account from scratch and then transfer the data to the new account. That will probably help solve your problem faster than trying to manually re-add all of the program shortcuts and other customizations onto the corrupt user account.

    For instructions on how to do this take a look here, How to copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile in Windows XP.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #2


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  4. 2010/12/04
    Daanii

    Daanii Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks for the prompt reply.

    As it turns out, I was poking around and found out how to get the desktop icons back. I right-clicked on the desktop, then selected "Arrange icons by ... ". Then there was a place to check "Show desktop icons." I checked that, and all the icons came back.

    I'll watch and see if there is anything else corrupted. If so, I may go the route you suggest. So far, it all now looks good.
     
    Daanii,
    #3
  5. 2010/12/04
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Awesome. Glad you were able to get your problem resolved. :)
     
    Evan Omo,
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