The task bar disappeared on start up. The Windows icon at the bottom of the screen does not work.

[Windows Central Question]

Have to use Ctrl-alt-del to shut down.

 

[TechFreak1]

Have you activated your copy of windows yet?

Usually this happens when you don't have a genuine copy of windows or you need to reinstall your graphics drivers.

If the screen is black and you have limited personalisation settings then either something went wrong updating (associating your hardware with a unique key during the update) or you don't have a genuine key.