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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Any computer experts?

11 replies

libbbrraa · 28/06/2025 11:47

I have a gaming windows PC and yesterday there was an update. This morning it starts up normally but when it loads it’s just a black screen with curser. No right click/left quick. All I have is task manager. Windows.exe is not listed as a process and I can’t add it. Any ideas? Thanks (AIbU for Saturday traction)

OP posts:
Tiddlersfish · 28/06/2025 11:54

Is your keyboard working? Are you able to boot in safe mode by mashing f8 on startup?

Original poster
libbbrraa · 28/06/2025 12:10

Thanks for reply. Keyboard does work but f8 doesn’t do anything. Explorer.exe missing from process in task manager and cannot be added. It’s suspended?

OP posts:
Original poster
libbbrraa · 28/06/2025 12:11

Holding shift down as it restarts doesn’t bring up expected trouble shouting menu either.

OP posts:
Frequency · 28/06/2025 12:12

Longshot if windows.exe is not running but if you press windows and R does the run box pop up?

Original poster
libbbrraa · 28/06/2025 12:16

Frequency · 28/06/2025 12:12

Longshot if windows.exe is not running but if you press windows and R does the run box pop up?

Thank you for reply. At what stage should we try? Start up?

OP posts:
Original poster
libbbrraa · 28/06/2025 12:17

windows Is not running so windows button not in use presumably?

OP posts:
Original poster
libbbrraa · 28/06/2025 12:18

It was after an update last night so assuming something did not finish installing. Can’t even start the ox on safe mode as just get the monitor start up screen when we turn on (this is usual, but never needed windows start up before now)

OP posts:
Frequency · 28/06/2025 12:19

One it has booted, it is windows process so it probably won't work but if it does you can open command prompt by typing CMD into that box. You can restart Windows Explorer from the command prompt by typing taskkill /F /IM explorer.exe & start explorer into the CMD.

Frequency · 28/06/2025 12:44

If you can't get into anything e.g, if explorer.exe cannot be added from task manager and you cannot get into CMD, your only other option is to get hold of a thumb drive with a Windows image on and boot into recovery mode from that.

You can download the Windows installation media for free, and your license key will be stored in your Microsoft account online or on a sticker on your PC. There are options to reinstall Windows without removing your files and programs.

Windows is not an exe, btw, it is explorer.exe you need to look for/restart.

Original poster
libbbrraa · 28/06/2025 13:23

Thanks all, managed to start on safe mode, ctr + delete whilst pressing start button. From there we were able to do a complete reset and reinstall windows. Thanks again to those who took time out of their Saturday to post

OP posts:
Original poster
libbbrraa · 28/06/2025 15:12

Frequency · 28/06/2025 12:44

If you can't get into anything e.g, if explorer.exe cannot be added from task manager and you cannot get into CMD, your only other option is to get hold of a thumb drive with a Windows image on and boot into recovery mode from that.

You can download the Windows installation media for free, and your license key will be stored in your Microsoft account online or on a sticker on your PC. There are options to reinstall Windows without removing your files and programs.

Windows is not an exe, btw, it is explorer.exe you need to look for/restart.

Sorry yes, explorer.exe, thanks so much. All resolved now

OP posts:
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