My desktop disappeared - help!

After having installed Avast4/Home/Pro all shortcuts on my desktop disappeared and only the basic icons are shown. Is it at all possible to restore my desktop? If so, please tell me how and I’ll be very grateful.

avast! doesn’t modify the desktop in any way (except for placing its own icon there, maybe).
What operating system do you use?

Try my friend google, http://www.google.com/search?q=desktop+icons+disappeared+xp.

TechSpot - Many desktop icons disappeared

Kinda weird aint it ? I think you have been subjected to windows "desktop cleanup" it automatically (if enabled) removes any unused or barley used Icons from the desktop. Make sure it is disabled its disabled and just click and drag them back onto your desktop from start-programs.

Perhaps you have the desktop cleanup enabled.

Thank you, Igor and DavidR, my operating system is Windows 2000 and after installing Avast!, Microsoft seems to believe that I am a new user and shows only standard icons on my desktop - without my contents. (Fortunately my files are not erased, though.) Anything I can do to restore the desktop?

Try repeating the search I did but substitute XP for win 2000 http://www.google.com/search?num=50&q=desktop+icons+disappeared+win+2000

http://my.brandeis.edu/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=0000Wa

[b]Response to missing icons[/b] The icons on the desktop can also accidently be removed by a right click under the 'Arrange Icons By' menu. Right click on the desktop and look under the 'Arrange Icons By' and assure that the "Show Desktop Icons" line is checked.