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When I create a new shortcut of a game in Steam, it's a blank icon

Anonymous
2025-04-22T15:25:25+00:00

Using the 'right click game in library > manage > add desktop shortcut' button in steam, creates a shortcut for the game on the desktop but the icon is blank (a blank piece of paper) instead of the appropriate game icon, how can this be fixed?

(I already contacted steam support and i was told its a Windows problem.)

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Gaming

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-23T12:46:10+00:00
    • If all of your icons are showing as a 'blank sheet' you, or Windows may have accidentally made this the default icon for .exe files.

    In this instance Siva Shankar S's suggestion should re-set to default.

    If it's only an issue with one shortcut icon you may find this useful...

    • The 'shortcut' that is created when you use the option in your Steam library is a 'web document' URL shortcut.

    These are not as flexible as a 'real' shortcut, eg- no compatibility options tab, but they do have a change icon button.

    R\click on the shortcut. Then click on Properties.

    Click on Change Icon and browse to the location your game is installed to and browse to your .... Steam Apps > common sub-folder.

    Locate the games folder in the common folder and click on the games .exe file (in some cases the game will have an "icon" file as well)

    and your shortcut should then show that icon.

    Image

    • Occasionally, such as with on line only (even in single player mode) games the Web Doc is the better option as some games

    will not launch without opening the game client program and the Web Doc will launch the game client before loading the game.

    • My preferred option is to make a proper shortcut from the games .exe file. If the shortcut does not show an icon you can

    do the same as above. This shortcut has the Compatibility tab, as well as a Change Icon option.

    Another advantage with using a shortcut made from the games .exe when playing single player is the game will often

    (more so with games from EPIC and GOG) launch without having to open the game client\launcher program.

    Imagea

    • Also note that Win10\11 often leave a blank 'ghost' icon on the desktop when you delete a shortcut.

    These will disappear if you log out and back in again, or next time you boot into Windows.

    .

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  2. Siva Shankar 10,960 Reputation points
    2025-04-22T18:53:21+00:00

    Hello ,

    I’m here to help you in resolving your issue.

    Windows may not be properly displaying the icon. Rebuilding the icon cache can help.

    1. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Users<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer.
    2. Delete the files that start with iconcache.
    3. Restart your PC. Windows will rebuild the icon cache, and the shortcuts should display the correct icon.

    After trying above steps, please reach out to me if you have any doubts or issues

    Help others by sharing your experience! Click “Yes” if this solution worked for you or “No” if it didn’t.

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