Start Menu Icons and Tiles Blank after in place upgrade to Windows Server 2022

Anonymous
2023-10-20T12:44:21+00:00

Hi,

We have upgraded a number of VM servers from Windows Server 2012R2 to Windows Server 2022. This has broken some Start Menu icons and tiles, they now appear as a 'blank' icon (see screenshot below).

I have tried deleting the IconCache.db file and rebooted the server but this has not fixed it.

On browsing to the below locations, the icons appear as normal:

%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-05-15T15:00:10+00:00

    Alex,

    We have had the same issue with blank icons for programs in the Start Menu on Windows Server 2022. In addition, we had blank desktop and taskbar icons. The icons in %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs and %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs were also blank. We also did not find any events with ID 10010 in either System or Application logs of Event Viewer.

    For the IconHandler registry key located at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex with the string value of Name: (Default)

    Type: REG_SZ

    Data: {00021401-0000-0000-c000-000000000046}, we had the same value of {86073620-2903-4112-8B55-6FCFCD1A8A4B}. We exported the IconHandler registry key for a backup, and then changed the data to show {00021401-0000-0000-c000-000000000046} instead. After a server restart, the issue was mostly resolved except for the Control Panel and File Explorer icons showing on the Start Menu.

    Sincerely,

    David J. Root

    IT Services Systems Administrator

    North Greenville University

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-10-23T03:25:31+00:00

    Hello

    It seems to be a known problem that can occur after upgrading to a new version of Windows Server. Here are a few additional steps you could try:

    1.Unpin and repin the tiles: Unpinning and repinning the tiles to the start menu can sometimes fix the specific application tile.

    2.Resize the tiles: Resizing the tiles can also fix the specific application tile.

    3.Use Start full screen: You could try switching to full screen Start Menu and then switch back.

    4.Check Registry: Please check the following registry key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\IconHandler. Make sure it has a subentry as below:

    Name: (Default)

    Type: REG_SZ

    Data: {00021401-0000-0000-c000-000000000046}

    If it’s not there, add it.

    5.Restart explorer.exe: You can try stopping the explorer.exe process via Task Manager and then start it again.

    6.Check DCOM permissions: The EventID 10010 in Event Viewer refers to DCOM permission. Try to add the DCOM permission in Registry.

    Remember to back up your system or important files before making any changes, especially when modifying the registry.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-10-23T16:51:08+00:00

    Hi Wei,

    1/2/3 - No effect

    4 - There is already a registry key in that location but it has a different value, see screenshot below. Should I still change or delete this? {86073620-2903-4112-8B55-6FCFCD1A8A4B}

    5 - Rebooted the server and restarted the explorer.exe service

    6 - What location would the EventID 10010 be located in Event Viewer? I have not found any matches so far from a quick search.

    Thanks,

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-10-24T07:01:46+00:00

    6.Event ID10010 is in Event Viewer-Windows Log-System-right-click menu-Filter current log-Filter <10010>.

    4.Regarding whether this content should still be changed or removed, please refer to:

    [21c0-0cba-08b-e6b3] (microsoft.com)

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