---
title: "Windows 11 - Missing Taskbar and File Explorer"
canonical: "https://kb.uconn.edu/space/IKB/26102956244/Windows%2011%20-%20Missing%20Taskbar%20and%20File%20Explorer"
format: markdown
---
If you log into a Windows 11 desktop and find that the Taskbar at the bottom of the screen is missing and you are unable to open the File Explorer, follow the steps below.

> ✅ There are two current solutions to this issue:
> ✅ 
> ✅ - Logging out of the computer, or restarting it, and logging back in clears the issue.
> ✅ - Using Task Manager to start/restart Explorer.exe

## Fix without Logging off or Restarting Computer

1. On the keyboard, press CTRL + SHIFT + ESCAPE together to open up the Task Manager.
2. Make sure you are on the **Processes **tab. If you do not see tabs along the top, click on **More details** at the bottom of the window.
3. Scroll down the list until you find **Windows Explorer** or **File Explorer**, it will likely be near the very bottom of the list. Click on this process.
4. Click on **Restart**. If you do not see the “Windows Explorer” or “Explorer” task, continue below.
5. If you do not see the task, you can manually start it.
  1. Click on **Run new task**. This button sits above the table.
  2. Type in “explorer.exe” and click **Ok**.

## Fix by Logging Out

Logging out of the computer and then logging back in should fix the issue.

1. Press CTRL + ALT + DELETE
2. Choose **Sign Out**

## Fix by Restarting Computer

If the steps above do not fix the issue, simply restart the computer.

1. Press CTRL + ALT + DELETE
2. Press the power button in the lower righthand corner.
3. Choose **Restart**