Windows 11 Bug Causes Desktop and Taskbar to Disappear

Windows 11 users hadn't quite recovered from January's update woes when a new error surfaced, one that literally makes the system interface disappear. The issue is a crash in the explorer.exe process, causing some users to lose their taskbar, desktop icons, and access to the Start Menu.

As confirmed by Microsoft, the problem doesn't affect everyone, but only PCs with specific applications present in the startup sequence—though the company didn't specify which ones. The crash causes File Explorer to hang during the initial sign-in, leaving users staring at either a black screen or a wallpaper devoid of any controls. A temporary fix is to manually launch the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and restart the explorer.exe process. A simple PC reboot also helps, but the issue may recur the next time you sign in.

A fix has already been released, but for now, it's in testing. It's the optional preview update KB5074105. Microsoft recommends installing it only for those who have encountered the described problem. Other users are better off waiting for the regular monthly cumulative update, which will include this patch later.

This is already the second notable bug in Windows 11 since the start of the year. The earlier January update, KB5074109, caused issues with displaying custom folder names and, according to some reports, could lead to black screens. The company promises to pay more attention to system stability, but for now, users have to be on their guard even when installing regular patches.

For a permanent solution, you can install the preview update KB5074105 via Windows Update, but keep in mind it's a test patch. It's also worth noting that the company has already begun reworking the system, but whether it will become more stable after this overhaul remains to be seen.