Taskbar Icons and Apps Gone After Windows 10/11 Update 2019-03? Find Possible Fixes Here

The taskbar in Windows 10/11 provides easy access to tools and apps, but it can also be a source of technical issues. When it stops working or malfunctions, it hinders computer tasks and operations.

With the launch of Windows 10/11 in 2015, we were treated with a revamped taskbar. Although its function remains the same, it’s obvious that it’s got a sleek visual refresh.

Then again, it also came with something that most Windows users didn’t welcome: errors and problems. Many reported that taskbar froze while they were doing other important tasks and processes.

The problem became even worse after the update 2019-03, where the taskbar icons have reportedly disappeared and apps uninstalled.

Considering that the taskbar is considered a key element in Windows 10/11 computers, having problems with it poses a huge challenge to users. So before you go into a full-blown panic mode, we suggest you try to resolve the problem with the solutions we have for you below.

Fix #1: Restart Windows Explorer.

A quick and possible solution to your “taskbar icons have disappeared and apps have uninstalled after update 2019-03″ problem is to restart Windows Explorer. This utility is responsible for controlling the Windows shell, which includes the Start Menu, File Explorer app, and taskbar.

To restart Windows Explorer, follow the steps below:

1. Launch the Task Manager using the CTRL + Shift + ESC keys.
2. Scroll down to the bottom-most portion of the window and click More Details.
3. Navigate to the Processes tab and find Windows Explorer.
4. Right-click on it and select Restart. After doing this, you will notice that the taskbar goes missing for a minute or two, but then comes back. Don’t worry because it’s normal.
5. Restart your computer.

Fix #2: Make Sure Taskbar Is Not Hiding.

If restarting Windows Explorer does not fix your problem with missing taskbar icons and apps after update 2019-03, then you might want to check if you have enabled the taskbar auto-hide feature.

Here’s how:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select Personalization.
3. Click Taskbar.
4. Check if the switch next to Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode option is enabled. If not, toggle the switch.

Fix #3: Run the System File Checker Command.

If your taskbar is missing and the system tray does not display the clock and other important Windows 10/11 functions, you might need to use run the System File Checker Command to fix your problem.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to do this:

1. Right-click on the Start button.
2. Select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
3. In the command line, input sfc /scannow.
4. Hit Enter to execute the command.
5. Restart your computer.

Fix #4: Execute the DISM Command.

In case the SFC command does not resolve your problem, you can try another one: Disk Image Servicing and Management (DISM).

Here’s how:

1. Right-click on the Start button.
2. Choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
3. On the command line, input DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
4. Hit Enter to run the command.
5. Reboot your computer.

The taskbar should return and work as it normally would after your Windows 10/11 computer has successfully rebooted.

Fix #5: Try a Couple of PowerShell Fixes.

If your taskbar is there, but you cannot click on it, try to re-register all Windows 10/11 apps or delete all of them.

Re-register Windows 10/11 Apps

1. In the search bar, input PowerShell.
2. Hit Enter.
3. Right-click on the top result of your search. Select Run as Administrator.
4. On the command line, enter this: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}.
5. Press Enter.
6. Now go to C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local and locate the Tile Data Layer folder. Delete it.
7. After a few minutes, you should be able to click on the apps and icons on your taskbar.

Remove All Windows 10/11 Apps

1. In the search bar, input PowerShell.
2. Hit Enter.
3. Right-click on the top result of your search. Select Run as Administrator.
4. In the command line, input this command: Get-AppxPackage | Remove-AppxPackageGet-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -online.
5. Press Enter.
6. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Take note that removing all Windows 10/11 apps is an invasive solution as it involves deleting important apps, such as Microsoft Store.

Fix #6: Install All Available Windows and Driver Updates.

This fix is a bit broad, hence it’s applicable to many Windows 10/11 problems, including taskbar missing icons and oobekeyboard errors.

Outdated device drivers can trigger all sorts of issues. Therefore, updating them is worth trying, especially if you are still trying to figure out what’s really affecting your system.

To update outdated device drivers, we recommend using a third-party driver updater. This way, you can be sure that you are installing a driver that is compatible with both your system and hardware.

Aside from updating your outdated device drivers, you need to check if your Windows 10/11 OS is up-to-date as well. To do this, go to Settings. Select Update & Security. Lastly, click Windows Update and check whether there are pending updates that need to be installed.

Fix #7: Create a New User Account.

Still unable to click on anything on your taskbar? Are the icons and apps on the taskbar missing? It is likely that your current user account does not meet the requirements set by User Access Control (UAC).

Developed by Microsoft, UAC is responsible for ensuring that only trusted users can access certain apps and tools. It grants administrative privileges to users to keep malware at bay. If you are using a guest account and can’t even access the calculator, then it is possible that there is a UAC conflict.

In this case, the best thing you can do is to ask the administrator to create a new user account for you. But if you have admin access yourself, simply follow the steps below:

1. Be sure you are logged into an administrator account.
2. Go to Settings and click on Accounts.
3. Navigate to the Family and other users section.
4. Choose Add someone else to this PC.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to create a new Windows user account.
6. When asked for the email or password of the user, select the I don’t have this person’s sign-in information option.
7. Click Add a user without Microsoft.
8. Provide all the details asked for.
9. Navigate back to Settings.
10. Go to Accounts and then Your Account.
11. Under your account photo, click Sign in with local account instead.
12. Provide your current administrator account password.
13. Hit Next.
14. Enter the username and password of the account you’ve just created.
15. Select Sign out and finish.
16. At this point, you can easily switch from your administrator account to your newly created local account. From here, you can now delete the account with UAC conflict.
17. Check if taskbar is now working fine.

Fix #8: Free Up Some Disk Space.

There is a chance that you don’t have enough disk space that is why your taskbar is acting up. To quickly free up some space, use a reliable PC cleaning tool. After a few clicks, you should be able to get rid of system junk and reclaim valuable disk space.

Conclusion

After trying the fixes above, we hope and pray you won’t run into problems with your taskbar again. But if you do, we are confident that you already know what to do.

Do you have any possible fix to add? Share it below!