Desktop Icons not displaying correctly.

Question

Most of the icons on my desktop are not displaying.  Quick Tunes, Control Panel and a few others display but the rest all the generic shortcut display panel.   All happened after a backup to a free standing hard drive that generated an unusual 'not enough memory' error.   Thanks for any help.   djp

Answer 1

Hello,

1. Open Windows Explorer (any folder/drive).

2. As the IconCache is a hidden file, you need to enable “Show hidden files” option to see the same. To do this, head over toTools > Folder Options, switch to View tab, and finally enableShow Hidden files, folders, and drives option.

3. Now navigate to C:\Users\username\AppData\Local folder and then delete IconCache.db file. Here username is your user profile name.

4. Reboot your computer to rebuild the icon cache.

5. All icons should be displayed correct now.

In addition, Below are some steps that you are able to proceed with in efforts to obtaining a resolution for this issue that you are experiencing.  I hope this information proves beneficial in obtaining resolution for your inquiry.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/132668

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2396571

In addition, create an alternate user account and verify if you are experiencing the Icon issue under another user account. 

-Scan your computer for Viral/Malicious content using several scanshttp://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

-Load into Safe Mode and verify if the Icons are still corrupted and not populating successfully.

If you would please follow up at your convenience, I would greatly appreicate it.

Thank you,

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Aaron

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

Answer 2

Hi Denis Protti,

1. Are you missing any icons or is it only showing the generic picture of control panel?
2. Are you able to launch the programs or open the files or folders when double clicking the default icons?

It could be just the icons which have got changed to default control panel image.

You may try to perform a system restore and check.

You may try a system restore to an earlier point where you did not experience the issue.

Note: When you perform System Restore to restore the computer to previous state, programs and updates you installed are removed.

To perform System restore, you may refer the following link:

System Restore

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/What-is-System-Restore

System Restore: frequently asked questions

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/System-Restore-frequently-asked-questions

Hope this information is helpful.

Praseetha K

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our  Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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Answer 3

Even after system restore, the problem is still there

Answer 4

I don't know if my problem is exacctly the same, but most of my mini-games type icons get wiped from my desktop if |i leave my computer on without using it.

It's extremely annoying having to set them all up again from the frequently used area.

Answer 5

Tried this and this did not work.  I also tried the default program way and that did not work either.