If every time your Windows computer starts, your explorer does not start and you are left seeing the wallpaper only, and you are left with no choice, but to start explorer.exe manually, then here are a few troubleshooting steps you may want to try.

Explorer.exe not starting

1. Scan your computer with an anti virus and anti-spyware.

2. See if you can login in safe mode. That way you will then know if its any program which is interfering with your explorer.exe.

2. Open regedit and navigate to :

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Here ensure that the subkey Shell, in the right pane has value explorer.exe.

Also ensure that the value of AutoRestartShell in right pane is ‘1‘ (Hexadecimal). This determines whether the explorer.exe is re-started automatically if it stops unexpectedly. Exit regedit.

3. Click Start >Search Menu Bar >cmd >rt click on result > Run As Administrator > Type   sfc /scannow > Hit Enter. This will run the System File Checker. This will examine all your system files and replace them if any are found to have been corrupted. Reboot when asked.

4. See if a System Restore helps you.

Hope something does!

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