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Desktop unavailable after Windows 10/11 update [Fixed]

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Since Microsoft started distributing Windows as a service, we had more than one opportunity to see how theirupdate system is flawed. There’s a variety ofissues orbiting around Windows Update, many critical.

One of those issues is theDesktop is unavailableerroror, to be exact,C:WINDOWSsystem32configsystemprofileDesktop is unavailableerror.

This problem prevents users from seeing the desktop and taskbar, which makes Windows Explorer inaccessible. We come with some solutions below and you can follow them right away, or wait for Microsoft to sort this out.

How to fixDesktop is unavailableafter Windows 10 update?

1. Scan for malware

This is a long-shot solution as the probable reason for theerrorlies in the fault update sequence. However, we can’t omit the negative impact a possible malware infection can have on the system.

That’s why you always need a high detection antivirus that can provide reliable support for detecting and removing malware from your PC.

Hence, a good idea is to get valuable antivirus features that can prevent any dangerous cyberattacks such as ransomware or system damaging viruses.

Plus, it’s most likely to find a lightweight option that can shield the system without interfering at all with other services, having a light impact on your power usage.

Therefore, an ideal way to benefit from this is by taking the mostefficient antivirus softwarewith powerful features to protect your PC.

If the error persists, you can move to the next steps.

2. Try with the Clean Boot

We recommend this step because installing a major update makes significant changes to the system and it’s analogous to a fresh installation. Therefore, some third-party applications might start misbehaving which, consequently, might disrupt the performance.

3. Copy default Desktop to system configuration

Note that your system partition might not be C.

4. Sign with a new local administrative account

If you’re initially signed with the Microsoft Account instead of the local one, switching to the latter option might help resolve theDesktop is unavailableerror.

Even if it doesn’t, you’ll at least get access to Windows Explorer which seems to crash when the system is administered by a Microsoft Account.

5. Uninstall a third-party antivirus

Indeed, in the first step, we recommended installing or activating a third-party antivirus, and we stick to it.

However, sometimes, these applications tend to break already vulnerable, half-baked, and unreliable major updates.

So at least temporarily, until the system errors stop, we recommend that you uninstall the antivirus, by going toSettings, then Apps andApps& features.

Once you’ve removed the antivirus, restart yourPCand check for improvements.

6. Run SFC/DISM

If the system resources get corrupted (everything points towards that here), the SFC (System File Checker) and the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) should cover it.

7. Update Windows 10 manually

Some users report that updates weren’t even administered properly and the problems appeared. Others experienced a boot loop, while others were able to boot but the aforementionederrorappeared or Windows Explorer wouldn’t start.

For them, the update failed and they were automatically rolled back to the previous version.

If you fall into the second category, we suggest trying to update the system manually. For that, you’ll be needing a bootable USB flash drive and Media Creation Tool. Since the affectedPCis barely usable, an alternativePCwould come in handy for creating a bootable media.

After you’ve successfully created a bootable media, here’s how to update the system with the external drive:

8. Roll back to the previous Windows 10 version

Resetting the system (clean, without preserving file) or reinstalling it can help, too. But, you’ll lose all your data in the process and will need to reconfigure everything from scratch, which is an overwhelming job.

That’s it. Don’t forget to tell us whether these solutions helped you or not in the comments section below. Your feedback is more than valuable.

Desktop unavailable after Windows 10/11 update [Fixed]#

How to fixDesktop is unavailableafter Windows 10 update?#

1. Scan for malware#

2. Try with the Clean Boot#

3. Copy default Desktop to system configuration#

4. Sign with a new local administrative account#

5. Uninstall a third-party antivirus#

6. Run SFC/DISM#

7. Update Windows 10 manually#

8. Roll back to the previous Windows 10 version#