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How to fix Windows Icon Display Bug and Task Manager Bug?

Anonymous
2024-10-10T02:28:31+00:00

Yesterday, I updated my PC to the latest version of Windows 11. Specifically, I installed the 2024-10 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8.1 for Windows 11, version 23H2 for x64 (KB5044033). And the 2024-10 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5044285). Immediately after installing these updates, I noticed that all my icons disappeared and all that remained was the text. In the taskbar, all icons except Copilot and Settings are the default application icons. Something to note is that I had customized my icons a fair amount before the update. For example, I changed some of them to custom .ico files, I renamed some of my applications so the name wouldn't show up using alt-255, and lastly, I used a tutorial to get the arrow that appears in the bottom right-hand corner of icons to disappear. The first two shouldn't mean much because icons I didn't change in that regard still disappeared.

Another problem I encountered was that I could no longer open the task manager no matter what I did. I was trying to get it open to restart Windows Explorer to see if that would fix my icon issue and whether I run it by right-clicking as an administrator or by using control alt delete it refuses to open. The last thing I want to add is that I made another user on my PC to see if the same issue happened there and it did, no icons and no task manager. Please let me know if there is any solution to this issue!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Display and graphics

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-10-19T08:20:19+00:00

    After KB5044285 I had two problems:

    • no icons (not on my desktop, not in file explorer)
    • right click > properties did not work on any file or shortcut
      The cause is that the update made registry key HKLM / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Explorer / Shell Icons / 29 blank (instead of %windir%\System32\shell32.dll,-50 to remove arrows on shortcuts). Setting the registry key solved both problems.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-10-14T06:38:34+00:00

    I have exactly same issue after instaling update KB5044285. I have tried to remove/uninstall the update and that resolved the problem, but after the automatic update the same isssue is back. None of the sugested solutions helped.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-10-10T04:18:23+00:00

    Hello loarado47,

    Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community and I'll be glad to assist you today.

    steps to try:

    Option 1. Restart Windows Explorer.

    1. Press CTRL + Alt + Del and select Task Manager.
    2. On the Details tab, right-click explorer.exe and select End task.
    3. On the upper left corner of the Task Manager, click File.
    4. Select Run a new task.
    5. Type explorer.exe
    6. Put a check on the Create this task with administrative privileges check box and click OK.

    Option 2. Run System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. Please refer to the below link for the detailed instructions.

    1. Press CTRL + Alt + Del and select Task Manager.
    2. On the upper left corner of the Task Manager, click File.
    3. Select Run a new task.
    4. Type cmd.exe
    5. Put a check on the Create this task with administrative privileges checkbox and click OK.
    6. Type the commands below and press enter after each one.

    sfc /scannow

    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

    Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/usi...

    Option 3. Re-register Start Menu and Settings in Windows 10.

    1. Press CTRL + Alt + Del and select Task Manager.
    2. On the upper left corner of the Task Manager, click File.
    3. Select Run a new task.
    4. Type msconfig.exe and press enter.
    5. Click the Services tab.
    6. Tick Hide all Microsoft services and click Disable all.
    7. Click Apply and OK.
    8. Restart the PC.
    9. When it is booted up, right-click Start Menu and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
    10. Copy-paste the following commands and press enter.

    Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

    1. Press Windows key + R.
    2. Type msconfig.exe and press enter.
    3. Click the Services tab.
    4. Tick Hide all Microsoft services and click Enable all.
    5. Click Apply and OK.

    16.Restart the PC.

    I hope this information helps. If you have any questions, please let me know and I will be happy to help you further.

    Best regards,

    Arvind

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-10-10T23:28:38+00:00

    Thank you for the response, unfortunately, all 3 options you have given me require me to open the task manager. Like I said in my original post, I cannot open task manager. I have tried many ways including control alt delete, running as administrator, and having a new user try and open it but it refuses to open. I was trying to restart Windows Explorer on my own when I encountered this bug. Therefore unfortunately I cannot try any of your options.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-10-10T03:29:19+00:00

    I have just now discovered that not only are my home screen icons missing, but when I open the file explorer, every single icon is missing. I will attach a screenshot that shows both my home screen and file explorer which can hopefully help with what the problem might be. All the icons on the file explorer disappearing has made me believe this is less of a problem because of something I changed with my PC and that this is more of an issue directly caused by the Windows updates I installed. Once again any assistance in my issue is appreciated as it is very hard to navigate my laptop without icons or access to the Task Manager.

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