Are you facing the frustrating “Restore Active Desktop” error on your computer? Find out how to fix it efficiently and get your desktop back to normal.
Understanding the Active Desktop Recovery problem
Understanding the Active Desktop Recovery problem can help you fix the Restore Active Desktop error on your Windows XP computer. The issue usually occurs when there is a problem with the Windows Registry or Internet Explorer settings. One way to fix this error is to use Malwarebytes to scan and remove any malware that may be causing the problem. You can also try resetting Internet Explorer settings or using the System Restore feature to revert your computer back to a previous working state.
Additionally, make sure you have the latest updates and antivirus software installed.
Methods to fix the Active Desktop Recovery issue
- Right-click on the desktop and select Properties.
- In the Properties window, go to the Desktop tab.
- Click on the Customize Desktop button.
- In the Desktop Items window, select the Web tab.
- Uncheck the box next to “My Current Home Page”.
- Click OK to close all windows.
- Right-click on the desktop again and select Properties.
- Go to the Desktop tab and choose a new background.
- Click OK to apply the changes.
Method 2: Editing the Registry
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\SafeMode\Components.
- Locate the DeskHtmlVersion value on the right-hand pane.
- Double-click on DeskHtmlVersion and change the value to 0.
- Click OK to save the changes.
- Close the Registry Editor.
- Right-click on the desktop and select Refresh.
Method 3: Running System File Checker
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
- Enter the command sfc /scannow and press Enter.
- Wait for the system file checker to complete the scan and repair any corrupted files.
- Once the process is finished, restart your computer.
Restoring the Active Desktop using native methods
To restore the Active Desktop on your Windows XP computer, you can use native methods that are built into the operating system. Here’s how:
1. Right-click on an empty space on your desktop and select Properties from the context menu.
2. In the Display Properties window, navigate to the Desktop tab.
3. Click on the Customize Desktop button.
4. In the Desktop Items window, make sure that the Web tab is selected.
5. Uncheck the box next to “Lock desktop items” if it’s checked.
6. Select the web page you want to use as your Active Desktop and click OK to apply the changes.
7. Close all windows and check if the Active Desktop has been restored.
If the issue persists, it may be caused by malware or a corrupt Windows Registry. Consider running a malware scan with software like Malwarebytes and also try restoring your system to a previous backup point.
Using Handy Backup to restore the Active Desktop
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Open Handy Backup application on your computer. |
| Step 2 | Select the “Restore” option from the main menu. |
| Step 3 | Choose the backup destination where your Active Desktop backup is stored. |
| Step 4 | Navigate to the backup file containing the Active Desktop settings. |
| Step 5 | Select the Active Desktop backup file and click “Restore”. |
| Step 6 | Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process. |
| Step 7 | Once the restoration is finished, restart your computer to apply the changes. |
