SOLVED File Explorer is Empty

[Louis]

I can not see anything in File Explorer. I use to be able to see my drives and so forth. Also any of my personnel folders and files. look funny. some are just blank icons now.

 

[davidhk129]

Start button still works ?
If yes, try this...........................
Run a system file check to look for corrupt files. It will try to do repair if any found.
Right click at Start button > select Command Prompt (Admin) > at the flashing prompt, copy/paste this.....
sfc /scannow
> press Enter.
It will take quite sometime. When finished, it will give you one of the 3 reports : (paraphrasing )
1. No integrity violation.
2. Found corrupt files and repair successfully.
3. Found corrupt files but unable to repair.
If report is #1. Your solution lies elsewhere.
If report is #2, go see if file explorer is now working ok.
If report is #3, please do the following........
Right click at Start button > select Command Prompt (Admin) > at the flashing prompt, copy/paste this.....
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
> press Enter.
Again, it will take some time. When finished it will give you a report.
If it says operation successful, go check your file explorer.

 

[Louis]

When I did the following:

Right click at Start button > select Command Prompt (Admin) > at the flashing prompt, copy/paste this.....
sfc /scannow

It told me to click yes to let it run an app to change things on my PC.

 

[davidhk129]

It told me to click yes to let it run an app to change things on my PC.

That message does not happen when I do the same thing.

Not sure why.
Is this your first time attempting to run a command prompt ?
Is your Windows 10 activated ?
Are you using a pc/tablet or a mobile ?

 

[Louis]

It's a new computer. couple months old, upgraded to windows 10

 

[davidhk129]

Activated ?

Go to Settings > Update & Security > left side, click Activation > right side, does it say " Windows is activated " ?

 

[Louis]

It says activated.

 

[davidhk129]

Open Windows Defender, run a scan.
Install Malwarebytes ( free edition ) and use it to run a full scan.
https://www.malwarebytes.org/products/

 

[Louis]

Ok. I'll do that in the morning. Late here. But thanks and I'll keep you posted.

 

[Louis]

Does anyone know if Windows Defender is a download? If so, where is safe place to get it? I'm running windows 10.

 

[davidhk129]

Windows Defender is part of the operating system. You cannot install one because it is already there.

What is your problem now ?

 

[Louis]

Defender would not run. because I have AVG running. I loaded the malware program you gave me. but it would not run ether. I even tryied a systen restore point. It came back with could not change settings.

 

[davidhk129]

OK. AVG is supposed to turn off Windows Defender because AVG has its own defender and having 2 defenders running will create conflicts .

I did not know you have AVG installed.
In that case run AVG and see if your machine is clean or not.

As to you Malwarebytes, because it will be the first time since installed, it will need to be updated first, then it will run.

 

[davidhk129]

After the scan, run the sfc /scannow. Read the instructions again.
If the popup appears, click yes.

 

[Louis]

It will not let me update Malwarebytes . I click the program and nothing happens. Should I uninstall and reinstal again? what is sfc /scannow

 

[davidhk129]

Forget about Malwarebytes for now. I don't understand what is the problem. It is a user friendly program.

Run your AVG first.
Let's see what it says.

Then run sfc /scannow.

 

[Louis]

No threats were detected by AVG. what is sfc scannow, and where do I find it?

 

[Ian]

No threats were detected by AVG. what is sfc scannow, and where do I find it?

Here's a tutorial on it:
https://www.windows10forums.com/articles/how-to-use-sfc-scannow.12/

 

[davidhk129]

Does anyone know if Windows Defender is a download? If so, where is safe place to get it? I'm running windows 10.

I gave you the instructions in my 1st reply. go back and have a look.

 

[Louis]

Ok I did that and everything was good there. Found nothing wrong. I am going to try Microsoft again. I'll let you know what happens.