Windows 7: Desktop not functioning correctly

I logged into my Windows 7 pc yesterdy and I found that all my icons were not being displayed on the desktop and also I can not high-light the desktop with the lest mouse button. I can still get the right click menu. First thing I did was reboot but the problem is still there so I ended the process explorer.exe and started it as a new task. The problem was still there. I did a full virus,spyware and malware scan. I also ran hijack this but didn't find anything unusual. I have no idea what is causing the problem. If i naviate to the desktop in windows file manager i can see all my desktop icons and everything looks fine.

What I would do is do a RESTORE POINT from a previous day that the problem didn't extist. That would at least get you back on level ground.

Hi MattD00 - First thing I would try is a "System Restore" to an earlier point where you knew things were OK.

If the problems still persist - you may - (and I, not trying to scare you) you may have somehow corrupted the Windows OS in which case you'll have to do a fresh install unless you have a mirror image backup (in which case you could restore from that).

Do try System Restore and study the problem for a while before making any drastic move...... Good Luck with it - maybe somebody else will have a suggestion.

Ha, the Poster before me posted seconds before I did.

I got a system restore fail. I am going to just leave it how it is for now
will do a clean install later.

Pain though it may be you will be happier after a clean install. Good Luck

That is a great answer and the way I would go.

Turns out I just acidently went into the view menu and unchecked "show desktop icons"

That's a good one. The OS did exactly what you told it to do.
Glad you were able to figure it out on your own. Great job!