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How do I restore my Desktop Icons and Taskbar icons

Anonymous
2013-09-04T22:27:20+00:00

I tried to open a .lnk file with a program, and the wasn't recognized in the program, and now my desktop icons and my taskbar icons have been converted to icons for the program. How do I revert it back? I need to know how to do this in Windows 7.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-09-05T16:40:02+00:00

    There certain fixes available for the issue that you a facing but most of them requires registry modifications which I do not suggest as they can cause number of other problems. I recommend you to perform a system restore.

    There are two ways to perform system restore:

    Open start menu click run and then type cmd to open command prompt.

    Type CD.. to make c:\ only.

    Type CD windows then CD System32 and then restore.

    After once you find yourself in c:\ windows\system32\restore>

    Then type restrui.exe press enter.

    Once the system restore window open then click next to select any available restore point.

    This process shall take couple of minutes to perform restore and please make sure that once this process started it wont be reversible and neither you will lose any personal data.

    Other way to perform system restore is to open safe mode by clicking F8 on start-up and check safe mode option then further a dialogue box will open to ask for system restore and then follow the above steps. 

    Regards

    David

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12 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-01-19T17:47:48+00:00

    The problem was fixed

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2017-12-25T22:59:02+00:00

    reset p0wer icon in task bar

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2013-09-05T12:08:58+00:00

    heres a link that will help you can reset your file alloactions.

    Hope that helps

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-09-05T11:55:08+00:00

    Hi Gabrielle,

    Follow these methods to resolve the issue with icons:

    Method 1:

    I would suggest you to refer the article and try to run the Microsoft Fix it:

    Fix broken desktop shortcuts and common system maintenance tasks

    http://support.microsoft.com/mats/system\_maintenance\_for\_windows/en-us

    Method 2:

    I would suggest you to reset the icon cache database and then if that does not help then rebuild icon cache.

    To Reset Icon cache follow these steps:

    a. Right click on empty area of the desktop and click on Personalize.

    b. Click on the Display Properties link.

    c. Under Colors, select Medium (16-bit) and click on Apply. (See screenshot below)

    NOTE: If you already have Medium (16-bit) selected, then select Highest (32-bit) instead. Sometimes you will need to do a restart first, then proceed to step d. Try both ways.

    d. Click yes to confirm the new settings.

    e. Now, select Highest (32-bit) and click on OK.

    NOTE: If you already have Highest (32-bit) selected, then select Medium (16-bit) instead.

    f. Click on Yes to confirm the new settings.

    To Rebuild icon cache follow the below mentioned steps -

    a. Open Folder Options in Windows Explorer and under View tab, check Show hidden files and folders.

    b. Open a Windows Explorer window.

    c. Go to C:\Users(User Name)\AppData\Local.

    d. Right click on IconCache.db and click on Delete.

    e. Click on Yes to confirm the deletion.

    NOTE: This deletes the file to the Recycle Bin. It is safe to empty the Recycle Bin when finished.

    f. Close the window.

    g. Empty the Recycle Bin.

    h. Restart the computer.

    i. When you go back, you will notice the Size of the IconCache.db file is smaller, and the Date Modified is now the current date.

    **NOTE:**If for some reason IconCache.db is not there or the size has not changed much, then restart the computer again. You may need to restart a couple of times in some cases.

    Let us know if it helps.

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