diff --git a/programs/explorer/desktop.c b/programs/explorer/desktop.c
index c975e23a8f3..33b58dc3215 100644
--- a/programs/explorer/desktop.c
+++ b/programs/explorer/desktop.c
@@ -769,7 +769,7 @@ void manage_desktop( WCHAR *arg )
         initialize_display_settings( hwnd );
         initialize_appbar();
         initialize_systray( graphics_driver, using_root );
-        initialize_launchers( hwnd );
+        if (!using_root) initialize_launchers( hwnd );
 
         if ((shell32 = LoadLibraryA( "shell32.dll" )) &&
             (pShellDDEInit = (void *)GetProcAddress( shell32, (LPCSTR)188)))