Windows Unavailable

[Tilly2]

Turned on my laptop this morning and can only get a blank screen with a message saying C:\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is unavailable.

Can anyone help?

[Buenchico]

Sorry for the delay. (I had a doctor's appointment for a blood test).

Double-click the icon for your C drive.

Then double-click each of the following in turn. (You'll encounter 'You not have permission' messages but simply click 'Continue' in each case):
Windows
System32
config
systemprofile

Right-click underneath the list of files/folders and select New > Folder. Call your new folder 'Desktop'.

Restart the laptop and cross your fingers.

[Tilly2]

What does the C drive icon look like,Buen?

[Buenchico]

It'll be labelled 'Windows (C:)'

[Tilly2]

Getting there I think...

[Tilly2]

I'm on the config step. The address bar is flashing green periodically. Do I need to wait a bit?

[Buenchico]

Probably. It took me a while to get in when I just ran through that on my own PC.

[Tilly2]

I have config and below it is configuration. I double clicked on config. Is that correct?

[Tilly2]

Right,Bien, I have got to system profile and have one file called AppData. There is no list. Is it the AppData file I have to rename,?

[Buenchico]

Sounds OK to me.

(Again, apologies for delays. I've been cooking lunch!)

[Buenchico]

Aaaagh!!!

Crossed posts!!!

DON'T RENAME ANYTHING!!!

[Buenchico]

Right-click in a blank space underneath 'AppData'.

Select New > Folder

Type the name of the folder as 'Desktop' (with a capital D) and hit Enter.

Restart your laptop

[Tilly2]

It wouldn't let me. :-)

[Buenchico]

It wouldn't let you do what?

Create the folder or restart?

If you can't restart, it's time for some brute force:
Remove the power lead (if relevant). Remove the battery. Wait for a minute. Replace the battery (and power lead, if required). Power up again.

[Tilly2]

I am now using my computer. It wouldn't let me rename the AppData file. I just switched off and eventually got some icons back on the Desktop but something has gone wrong in that when I click on Microsoft Edge for example it says explorer. exe. Class not registered.

...and the text is not 'right' on here, it looks fractured.

...but I have my computer up and running and say a great big thank you to you, Buen for your patience and skill and to all the others who have tried to help me today.

[Buenchico]

You shouldn't have been trying to rename AppData! (Please read my posts at 1353 and 1355).

This might help with your current problems:
https://appuals.com/fix-explorer-exe-error-class-not-registered/

[Tilly2]

I'm still having problems. Although I now have a desktop of some sort, my start button doesn't work and I can send emails because, for some reason, my 'at' symbol won't type. I get this..." instead.

This has been a very stressful day!

[Buenchico]

Look at the bottom right of your screen. It probably shows 'ENG US':
https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/xlarge/public/field/image/2019/04/change-keyboard-layout-windows-10.jpg?itok=X60Hs35_
Click on it to change it back to the UK keyboard setting.
(Pressing the Windows key and the space bar together is another way of getting to the keyboard settings).

[Togo]

Think I would have taken a different route Tills. I asked the questions with a view to effecting a safe boot and possible reset to a previous point or the deletion of a recent update that was obviously corrupted. The route that you undertook was in the list of possible measures to take but down the list a way. It was all available to read up online as well. You really should have had an stick with the os loaded just in case of such an event .....we all should.....I have 3. One for each machine that I run. Strange thing is that this morning I was a little preoccupied. There was an attempt by someone to gain access to my desktop using a Trojan malware programme. Rather a nasty one, and I was sorting that out and running the scans. Well done defender. No drama.

[Tilly2]

:-(

Buen, it says no such thing...where would I find that?

Togo, well done for getting yourself sorted. I wish you lived nearer than North West Wales. I'd be dropping off my computer at your door.

...and the local computer repair shop is closed! Damn and blast it!

[Tilly2]

How can do a safe boot? I can only turn my laptop off by pressing the power button. My Start icon doesn't work.