Desktop vanished! How can I get my desktop back?

[nelsa]

This morning all the links and icons on my desktop have disappeared. After I
started Windows this morning they are just not there, althouth the picture I
have long used for a background remains. And the links, shortcuts and files
are still in documents and settings/......./desktop.
What could have happened?
I have tried to drag from the folder to the desktop, but, of course, I get
the error"source and destination are same."
I created a folder and dragged it to the desktop and it vanished. A search
for the folder I created lists it on the desktop, but there is nothing
visible other than the background picture.

How can I get my desktop back?

 

[Jose]

This morning all the links and icons on my desktop have disappeared.  After I
started Windows this morning they are just not there, althouth the picture I
have long used for a background remains.  And the links, shortcuts and files
are still in documents and settings/......./desktop.
What could have happened?  
I have tried to drag from the folder to the desktop, but, of course, I get
the error"source and destination are same."
I created a folder and dragged it to the desktop and it vanished.  A search
for the folder I created lists it on the desktop, but there is nothing
visible other than the background picture.

How can I get my desktop back?

First, verify Show Desktop Icons is enabled.

Right click your background image, Arrange Icons By..., put the check
mark next to Show Desktop Icons.

 

[VanguardLH]

This morning all the links and icons on my desktop have disappeared. After I
started Windows this morning they are just not there, althouth the picture I
have long used for a background remains. And the links, shortcuts and files
are still in documents and settings/......./desktop.
What could have happened?
I have tried to drag from the folder to the desktop, but, of course, I get
the error"source and destination are same."
I created a folder and dragged it to the desktop and it vanished. A search
for the folder I created lists it on the desktop, but there is nothing
visible other than the background picture.

How can I get my desktop back?

Right-click on the desktop, Arrange Icons By, Show Desktop Items.

 

[PaulM]

Try this fix here: FixShell

http://www.paulsxp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=21