Account: How to Fix the Windows 10 Taskbar

This updated guide examines Account: How to Fix the Windows 10 Taskbar and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 3:

Restarting Windows Explorer

1. PressCtrl+?Shift+Escto open Task Manager. This method is the first thing you want to try when your taskbar doesn't work since it's the easiest fix.
2. ClickMore detailsif you see the simple view. The simple view shows you what's running, but the "More details" view will show you applications running in the background and what computer processes are running.
   • If you see columns for CPU , Memory , Disk , and Network , then you're already seeing the detailed view and can skip this step.
3. Right-click "Windows Explorer" in theProcessestab. You can press W to view each process that starts with a W to find "Windows Explorer" faster. When you right-click, you'll see a menu drop-down.
4. ClickRestart. Your taskbar will disappear completely for a minute, then reappear and go back to its normal state (auto-hiding or not).

Method 2of 3:

Using a Command Prompt

1. Press?Win+Xto open the Power User menu. Use this method if you're missing icons in your taskbar, like your search bar or the clock.
2. Click eitherCommand Prompt (Admin)orPowerShell (Admin). They are both command line prompts that will use the same code in the following steps.
3. Typesfc /scannow. SFC is short for System File Checker, which will run a simple check and patch small flaws in the Windows system.
4. Reboot your computer. You'll need to reboot your computer after running SFC to complete the process of applying those patches.
   • If running the SFC didn't work, you can typeDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthand restart your computer again.

Method 3of 3:

Creating a New User Account

1. Press?Win+ito open Settings. This is the last resort to fixing your problem since a new user account will be inconvenient.
   • You'll also find the gear icon for settings in the Start Menu.
2. Navigate to "Family & other users." You can find this in "Accounts."
3. ClickAdd someone else to this PC. You'll need to create a new username, etc, in the account creation process.
   • You can opt to "Add a user without a Microsoft Account" to avoid any confusion with your original account.^[1]
   • You'll need to use this new account every time you use your computer. Your original account may have a corrupted or missing file that triggers problems for your taskbar, so using the new account will avoid those issues.