Member Avatar for Renold

Can anyone help me recover my desktop.
I keep getting the message:
Active desktop recovery/ Script error.

When I press the button marked
'Restore my Active desktop'

I get the following:

INTERNET EXPLORER SCRIPT ERROR
A error has occured in the script on this page.

Line : 65
Char: 1
Error: object does not support this action
Code: 0
URL: file///C:/Documents%20and%
20settings/George/application%20Data/Microsoft/Internet%
20Explorer/Desktop.htt

Do you want to continue running scripts on this page:?
Yes / No

Nothing I do seems to make any difference.
Is there a SIMPLE solution to this?

Regards

Renold

  • 4 Contributors
  • 8 Replies
  • 460 Views
  • 1 Month Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by Renold

Dani AI

Generated

Short summary and practical follow‑ups based on the thread: the error points to Internet Explorer trying to load a local Active Desktop HTML file (desktop.htt) that is either corrupt, missing resources, or contains script incompatible with the current IE/profile. As reported, removing the bad desktop file allowed Windows to recreate a clean one and fixed the problem. was also right that sometimes simply changing the wallpaper will rebuild the desktop link and stop the error.

If deleting the desktop HTML does not succeed or you see “this operation has been canceled due to restrictions,” that usually means permissions or a policy is preventing the change. Try these non‑destructive options first: test with a different user account (or create a temporary local admin account) to see if the issue is profile‑specific; boot into Safe Mode to remove or rename the offending file; or contact the machine’s administrator if it’s on a domain or managed PC. If the desktop is being rebuilt successfully, remember to re‑hide protected system files afterward.

Notes for newer Windows versions: Active Desktop was an XP/earlier feature. On Vista/7/8 you may still see leftover desktop HTML from an older profile or roaming profile; the same approach (work from a clean profile, remove the stale desktop HTML, or reset the desktop/background) applies. If the problem looks like wider system corruption, consider System Restore or running system file checks, and back up user data before making major changes.

If the thread’s solution worked for you, that is the simplest outcome. If it didn’t, the next step is permission/profile troubleshooting (test another account, Safe Mode, or admin tools) rather than repeatedly editing the same file.

Recommended Answers

All 8 Replies

Member Avatar for Renold

desktop.htt pretty much controls the size and position of your desktop and the wallpaper you have on it, plus it includes a little activeX control to allow you to reshape it..... IE7 is a little bit incompatible with the old profile you may have had already.
Since this file is automatically generated by windows, the best fix is to delete the old one[s] and let windows create a new one. To do this open an explorer window and go to tools > folder options > view, and uncheck hide protected opsys files. Apply and ok. Then do a search in your sys drive [usually c: ] for desktop.htt. It will be in Docs and Settings\User\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer.
Delete them [it, whatever...]. Close the explorer window, rclick your desktop and click Refresh, and then go back and RECHECK that box. you really don't want those special files exposed all the time!!

Thanks for your response. How do I open an explorer window, please?

Member Avatar for cguan_77

you can go to start->run type explorer then enter or you can try pressing windows key + "E".. or go to my computer, then double click on your local drive you want to explore.

Member Avatar for Renold

I have followed your recommendation but to no avail.
Do you have any other suggestions?
thanks
Renold

Member Avatar for happyguy142

try changing the background image. sometimes all that message means is your desktop has lost it's link to whatever image it was using. If you change it to a different background image that may very well fix it.

Member Avatar for srinadh47

restrictions : this operation has been canceled due to restritions in effect on this computer

Member Avatar for Renold

restrictions : this operation has been canceled due to restritions in effect on this computer

Unsure what this means
and I still have the problem.

Any other ideas anyone please.

Member Avatar for happyguy142

What were you using as your background image prior to getting the error?

Member Avatar for Renold

What were you using as your background image prior to getting the error?

I went back and removed the desktop.htt file as instructed, then chose a new desktop and restarted.
It appears to have worked, so I am now going to close the thread.

Thank you very much for your help and support.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.