Windows 11 file explorer cant open nor open any desktop file folders

Hi, as this is a Win 11 question, please join elevenforum.com and post there. Thanks!

nobody said anything and the time elapsed so we cant revert to Windows 10.

Note: had you been using 3rd party disk imaging regularly and routinely, and kept a disk image of your Win 10 installation, that would have allowed you to reinstate your Win 10 installation as was.

Disk imaging is endlessly recommended on tenforums, and if various people have access to this system and the ability to make changes (not the best situation!) then I suggest once you have working configuration again, start using it.

Have you tried using a System Restore point? I hope you do have SR enabled... (note- you can schedule the creation of restore points - see the relevant Tenforums or Elevenforum tutorial from the huge searchable Tutorials section).

What happens if you hit Win key + e?

In my opinion, someone has done something to get in this situation.

As you don't have much time, I suggest you boot the computer with a Linux USB drive, make a backup of the data files and reinstall Win 10 and the other software.

As the main drive probably has a lot of free space, another solution would be to boot from a Win 10 USB installation drive and choose to install Win 10 on same partition that now has Win 11. It will create a Windows.old folder and move all files and folders from the Win 11 to it. Once you have Win 10 installed you can:
- Make a register change so it will remain in win 10
- Copy all files and folders from the C:\Windows.old\Users"Name" to the new C:\Users"Name"
- Finally, delete Windows.old folder

Anyway, reinstalling Win 10 will take less time than trying to make current Win 11 work as it should.

As I understood, the problem came with Win 11. As it's a new OS, don't think there will be a System Restore to fix it.

I still recommend to reinstall Win 10 on same Win 11 partition, reinstall ProPresenter. and move all data from C:\Windows.old\Users"Name" to the new C:\Users"Name".

Do you have Explorer or not?

If the problem is only not having access to the files on the desktop that is quite simple.
As the files were created by the "Expert" on her computer, they "belong" to her.
You have to Take Ownership of the files that she installed.
Install this tweak - Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 10

Right click on the folder you want to Take Ownership and select Take Ownership

Anyway, our file explorer cant be opened

- let's start with that one.

Again.. what happens if you press
Win key + e
?


Underlying this is an issue of how you secure the working state of your system, and who has the ability to make significant change.

Ideally e.g. only 1 user has an admin account... all others are standard users or use a standard user account.

Plus secure your system with disk imaging routinely. (When it's again in a working state).

Desktop shortcuts probably don't work as they might be from the Expert user.

Try Win key + e as Dalchina suggested.
If it works, select all files and folders on the desktop and take ownership of all files and folders.