File Explorer Lost Icon?

[zingo1327]

my PC is going haywire and although I have a usb stick with windows 10 operating system I can't select it as my  file explorer has disappeared so I can't select c,d,e drive etc. Anyone know how to get FILE EXPLORER BACK so I can reload a fresh windows 10 or how to boot from usb on start up? hope this makes sense....PS nothing happens when I click on the microsoft flag (bottom left of screen) and cortana doesn't allow me to type in.

[Old_Geezer]

Can you boot from an external drive ?

[barry1010]

The Windows K and E together 

[barry1010]

The Windows key and E together 

[Togo]

Is anything in the task bar working?

[Togo]

If it looks like a task bar(the strip along the bottom) issue then you can try a restart by pressing Ctrl+shift+Esc at the same time. This sould bring up the task manager menu. Scroll down until you get to Windows Explorer. Right click in Windows Explorer and select restart. Try this first. If it does not work come back to this thread. If pressing Ctrl+shift+Esc does not show the task manager then click on more details and again find Windows Explorer   ...   etc. 

[CrapatCryptics2]

If File Explorer is missing in Windows 10, you can try these steps: 

Check the taskbar: Select the File Explorer icon on the taskbar. 

Use the keyboard shortcut: Press the Windows logo key + E. 

Use the Start menu: Select Start then Documents. 

Restore the icon to the taskbar: Go to the Start Screen, type "File", right-click File Explorer, and select Pin to taskbar. 

Restart Windows Explorer: Right-click the taskbar, select Task Manager, click More details, find Windows Explorer, and click Restart. 

If you don't see tabs along the top of the Task Manager window, you can click More details at the bottom of the window. Windows Explorer or File Explorer will likely be near the bottom of the list.