Windows 10 icons not working

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H

HBu3No

Commendable
Jan 18, 2017
3
0
1,510
Okay, so recently my icons stopped working for absolutely no reason. I have tried everything and have looked everywhere for a solution.
Here is what I mean so there is no confusion as to what "Icons missing" is:
http://imgur.com/a/eENuK
When I try to click on properties, it doesn't allow me to do so as shown here:
http://imgur.com/a/BUebG
My file explorer seems to be affected as well::
http://imgur.com/a/wRGho
I managed to trace it to my iconcache. It's missing?!
http://imgur.com/a/AJmz9
I have attempted to rebuild it over and over again, but it just doesn't (Yes, I've restarted my computer)
I've done everything, from running software to look for issues, letting windows look for issues and I even reset my computer. The reset did lead to a solution, but as I was downloading some starting apps - Google Chrome, Avira, VLC - after a restart everything went back to its previous state. I doubt the software I downloaded had anything to do with it. It's also important to note that I did not make full reset, just reset Windows itself and kept my files, pictures and movies. I also noticed this, I cannot open "Ultimate Windows Tweaker 4.2.2" maybe it could be part of the problem or maybe not. The only thing I've tweaked where the shortcut arrow removal, but I doubt that's the issue because I've had it for a good 2 months without issues. I hope I made myself clear, if you have any questions feel free to ask, I am desperate for help! Thank you.
 
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Colif

Colif

Win 11 Master
Moderator
Jun 12, 2015
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Check in settings/Account/Sync your settings and see if theme sync is on, it might have a memory of your previous theme saved on the cloud (really love to know how to reset that) and be setting it as default on logon

Try making a new local user and see if it happens to them as well, it might be your user is corrupted (it has happened to me). If it works fine, you can make it admin and also copy the contents of c/users/username from old user to new so all you have to do is set up browsers, desktop & a few other things and it will work as before.
 
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H

HBu3No

Commendable
Jan 18, 2017
3
0
1,510
Syncing doesn't work for me, it says that some features are not allowed if I'm using a microsoft account.
Moreover, making a new user has the same issue:
http://imgur.com/a/jNPuU
Sorry for the late followup, I have been busy. Thanks for your help anyway.
 
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Colif

Colif

Win 11 Master
Moderator
Jun 12, 2015
65,471
6,522
168,090
Take your time, I can wait :)

Try running SFC/DISM and see if they find anything - its worth a try

right click start button
choose command prompt (admin)
type SFC /scannow and press enter
in the same window, copy/paste this in - it needs to be exact:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

SFC cleans system files, DISM cleans the image SFC uses to match the files, so if SFC found files it couldn't fix first time, redo SFC and restart PC
 
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G

Geoff_The _Tog

Commendable
Feb 6, 2017
3
0
1,510
I too have been having the same problem and have tried most of the above. I have deleted the iconcache.dbs (far more of them than mentioned anywhere it only seems to be referenced as a single file) Windows didn't seem to even miss them. The desktop stayed the same and the files were not rebuilt.

I have shied away from a reset - Windows wants to delete almost everything.

It may be worth mentioning and give some pointers, at exactly the same time as the desktop icons disappeared for me, so to, did the thumbnails to all my picture files, along with the alternative "mountain range" icon. I have also found that if I right click and choose "Properties" on the text labels to picture files or desktop icons, nothing happens. Not even a blank box.

Does this offer any clues?

 
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G

Geoff_The _Tog

Commendable
Feb 6, 2017
3
0
1,510


I did, no joy at all BUT . . ..

In the last few moments I had a flash of "What If?" inspiration. I had previously used http://ultimate-windows-tweaker to remove the shortcut arrows. Months before this all happened. I thought "I wonder what would happen if I tried to put the arrows back. Would it find the missing shortcuts.

I just tried it . . . .Success! all the shortcut icons are back along with the thumbnails to my picture files. I then re-ran Tweaker to remove the arrows and all stayed well. I've just done a restart to be sure. Right click for properties is back too.

So, worth trying the" tweaker" to see if it can find your icons too HBu3No , its not an install so no harm in trying.
 
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Colif

Colif

Win 11 Master
Moderator
Jun 12, 2015
65,471
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I don't use tweak programs as I never know what else they might effect. But I am old and have learned my lesson, I used to download countless themes in the past for windows, now all I do is change the desktop wallpaper and colors. I used to use theming software from Stardock but no more. Since I don't use desktop icons I don't need things like Fences
 
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G

Geoff_The _Tog

Commendable
Feb 6, 2017
3
0
1,510

I too am old, very old and I've learned nothing :) I hadn't even heard of "fences" :)

 
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