# Must manually run explorer.exe in Windows XP

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-manually-run-explorer-exe-in-windows-xp/232335>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 3, 2004, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-manually-run-explorer-exe-in-windows-xp/232335 "2004-03-03T16:48:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Kaitlin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@Kaitlin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlin)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2004, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-manually-run-explorer-exe-in-windows-xp/232335/1 "2004-03-03T16:48:35Z")

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When I boot up the computer at work, after logging in to Novell, my desktop comes up but with no Start Menu or desktop icons. I have to bring up Task Manager and start explorer.exe manually. Rarely, explorer.exe will start on its own as it’s supposed to.

My questions are: What causes this? and Is there anything I can do to fix it? It’s mildly annoying, and I haven’t been able to find anything in internet searches that addresses my particular problem. The tech people at work are of no help.

Thanks!

Kaitlin

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**Author:** ![vd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b19c9b/32.png) [@vd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vd)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2004, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-manually-run-explorer-exe-in-windows-xp/232335/2 "2004-03-03T16:55:51Z")

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I don’t have any idea what the problem might be, but you should be able to pull up an explorer window with WindowKey-E.

In fact, just hitting WindowKey might give you the start menu.