lost all my icons, I have done hard reset

[Werdna123]

I turn my PC on and my picture /background comes up, I add my password, and all that is displayed is recycle icon, I think I have deleted my files accidently all I want to do is get back on the internet, I have a wi fi connection but cannot get any of my start up icons other than recycle bin the deleted files are not in there??

[The_Fossette]

@Werdna123

I reviewed your post and I understand that you have accidentally deleted all your files.

Don’t worry, I assure you I will try my best to get this sorted.

Did you reinstall the Windows on the computer? If yes, then all your files are lost, and we will not be able to recover them.

In case if you have not reinstalled the operating system and just deleted the icons from the desktop, then you can perform a system restore back to the date when all the icons were there on the desktop.

Follow the steps in the below article to perform a system restore.

https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c03327545

Let me know how it goes and you have a great day!

P.S: Welcome to the HP Support Community 😊

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accept as Solution. Your feedback counts!

Cheers!

Stay Home – Stay Safe

[Werdna123]

Thanks for your response, yes I deleted my files and appear lost, when I turn on the PC, I get to my log in page and shows my background but after my resets will not let me log in states there is a problem. When I have previously managed to get logged in all that shows is the recycle bin, all I want is to be able to surf the internet but cannot get away from the log in screen now, when I do, I just get a circle going around and around when I put the cursor over bottom left of screen? I tried resetting, rebooting no success it looks like I have to download something to kick it back into action but unsure what to do.

[The_Fossette]

@Werdna123

I recommend you perform a system restore back to the date when everything was working fine on the computer.

Refer to the below article for detailed steps.

https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c03327545

Let me know how it goes.

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accept as Solution. Your feedback counts!

Cheers!

Stay Home – Stay Safe

[Werdna123]

Thanks The _Fossette but not being computer savvy think I may have confused you, I cannot perform a system restore as cannot get into anything?  in laymans terms I switch my PC on, it goes through the HP logo etc, then comes to a background picture asks for a password on in my case pin, although this seems to have a issue also as now stating there is a problem. when previously I got to the next screen I had nothing but the recycle icon, I could not refresh desktop although there was a wifi connection, at the bottom left of screen was the Hey Cortana box and Start? both wouldn't allow me to click them as just getting the whirlpool wait symbol?

[The_Fossette]

@Werdna123

Did you reinstall Windows on the computer? How did you delete the icons?

Cheers!

[Werdna123]

thanks The_Fossette  you are being really helpful, I did a 3hour 30 mins diagnostic test which came back with nothing wrong with PC, so this is where I am as a non PC savvy person,

1. I turn the pc on great

2. I get to my login page and am now able to enter my password

3. This is where my problem lies, I only have the Recycle Bin Icon, I cannot click on start button bottom left or cortana box, does this mean I have to re install Windows? if so how do I do this?

[The_Fossette]

@Werdna123

I recommend you contact support to further diagnose the issue.

Here is how you can get in touch with support.

1)Click on this link – www.hp.com/contacthp/

2)Select the product type.

3)Enter the serial number of your device or select let HP detect your product option.

4)Select the country from the drop-down.

5)You should see the HP phone support number or Chat option listed.

Cheers!