Start Menu/icons Vanished From Desktop (& Can't Open .exe Files)

Can anyone please help me restore the start menu and tray that have vanished from my desktop? I'm afraid to turn laptop off before I get this resolved. I have a Gateway laptop with AMD Quad-Core Processor A6-3400M and 500 GB HDD, whatever any of that means.

Also--I searched forum help topics regarding this issue and found that many replies suggested running explorer.exe from Task Manager. Unfortunately, I'm unable to open/start/run such files. I tried to do this and got a 'no-file type-associated-with-this-type-of-file' dialog; on clicking the option to search web for. . . I found a mix of ads and "Microsoft" apps that I don't believe are truly MS products and that I fear will install a virus on my system (which I think already has one or more).

I have zero technical apptitude/skills, so I'd be so grateful for any guidance anyone can provide me.

Thank you so much,
lost

 

It would seem to me that your computer is infected with malware perhaps the so called Windows Recovery rogue. Just to take a shot at something this late at night. Can you get to the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete at the same time? If you cannot then the explorer.exe fix will not be much help to you.

On the other hand, if you can then look for explorer.exe in the processes tab. If you find it, delete it and then press apply. Then select "New Task" and type it in again. Apply and then OK your way out. If you do not find it then just add it as a new task.

Otherwise I suggest you have a look at the instructions for getting started with malware removal found HERE