Solved Windows 7 Unrecognised Desktop

[NativePanda]

After a long holiday I have returned to my PC, only to find that when I logged in (after saying preparing desktop) my desktop had reset to the windows 7 default (no icons, default background, etc). Panicking, I checked in my user folder under desktop only to find that all of my desktop items were there.

This really got me thinking. I went into my pictures folder and right clicked > send to on a picture to test my suspicions. However under 'send to' there was no desktop option. It's as if my desktop has completely disappeared, but yet all the items are still on it (hence checking in users > me > desktop).

Is there a solution?

 

[MilesAhead]

If you have a recent Restore Point that's probably the easiest way. If not there's a registry key for the current desktop. In which case I'll search out the key.

 

[NativePanda]

I tried using a restore point but there appears to be none at all. Another thing that has been revealed to me is that my current profile has been 'converted' into a temporary profile, however it remains under the name of my old profile. I discovered this by going into the CMD, where it then said in the dialogue that I was under user > temp. I've tried searching this but none of the solutions match my exact problem.

 

[MilesAhead]

Sounds like malware. If you don't have an image backup I would run a complete MBAM scan. No sense labiriously putting everything back if the malware is just going to hose it again. First you need to find out if it's infected.

 

[NativePanda]

I've already run a threat scan, but not a full one. I shall do so now.

 

[Mayank Parmar]

Hi, make a new user account and transfer all your data in new account and you can delete/disable the old account. If the new account doesn't work properly then you will have to enable the administrator account and make a new account from admin account

 

[Mayank Parmar]

To enable Admin account click on START and type CMD in search bar, Right-Click on CMD/command prompt and select option Run As Administrator, click on Yes if any pop-up box comes. in command prompt type the command net user administrator /active:yes and then press enter.
Now restart the computer and select Administrator account to login.
Now open RUN (windows_key+R) and type the command NETPLWIZ in run box and click on OK.
A new window will open wherein you can make a new account.
While you are logged in the Administrator account also transfer the data from old account to new one.
Now reboot the computer and login to the new account.
Once you confirm that all data is transferred you can disable the admin account using command net user administrator /active:yes in the command prompt.
Now you can either delete or disable your old account.
Also run hitman pro or trojan remover to check for any possible infections.

PS:- Do not disable Admin or Delete old account until you confirm that new account is working properly and you have all data transferred

 

[NativePanda]

I managed to use a system restore on another user, problem solved. Thank you.

 

[Layback Bear]

I would still run a lot of security scans. Something changed your set up.
Windows 7 doesn't do that all by itself.

 

[MilesAhead]

I would still run a lot of security scans. Something changed your set up.
Windows 7 doesn't do that all by itself.

+1 I would at least run MBAM full scan and perhaps a rootkit detector.

 

[NativePanda]

I performed a full scan with both AVG and MBAM, removing anything I found suspicious. I will also run a rootkit detector ASAP.

+1'ed

 

[MilesAhead]

Please let us know if you find a resolution.