Strange picture for shortcut to Excel file

Question

For unknown reason, my Windows 10 PC now shows a strange picture for Excel file shortcut. Instead of having the normal icon , I have now this picture : ! . The shortcut opens the file normally, and I found a (compicated) way to get it back normal as in first picture.

Moreover if I put the file ChangeTracksName.xlsm on the desktop, it also has this strange appearance: ,

and I found no way to correct it.

Does anyone have an idea of why this happened, and how to correct this minor trouble?

Answer 1

Hi Emily,
The issue arises for all the new workbooks I create from within Excel (since a few days). Even if I create a new workbook on the Desktop by opening Excel and just saving on the Desktop, I get Book1.xlsx with the strange picture:

However If I right click on the Desktop, New Microsoft Excel Worksheet, I get the normal icon:

Your last advice, Control Panel, System and Security, System, Performance Settings, uncheck Show thumbnails instaed of icons
did solve my problem! Thank you and congratulations

Answer 2

Hi Alain,

Does this issue only occur with ChangeTracksName.xlsm? Or does all Excel files on your PC have this issue?
Please save the Excel file as other format file, such as .xlsx file, then check whether this issue is reproduced.

In addition, this issue may be related to thumbnails. It's recommend to follow the steps below to have a check.

• In ChangeTracksName.xlsm, please go to File > Info > Properties (At right panel) > Advanced Properties > Summary tab, make sure "Save Thumbnails for All Excel Documents" is disabled, save file. Go to Desktop, press F5.
• Open this file again, press F12 to go into Save As, ensure "Save Thumbnails" is also disabled, enter a new file name, save to Desktop, check this issue.
• Open File Explorer > View tab > Options > Change folder and search options > View tab > check the box of "Always show icons, never thumbnails".
  
• At last, right click This PC icon on desktop > Properties > Advanced system settings > Settings under Performance > Visual Effects > uncheck rhe box of "Show thumbnails instead of icons" > OK, OK.
  

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Answer 3

On August 2, 2023, all of a sudden the icons on my desktop changed to a different icon when I saved the excel (in my case) file. The third step did the trick restoring the previous icon. I also finished the fourth step, just to make sure. It still is a mystery why the icon started changing after many years of usage. After a recent Windows 10 update?