Windows 7: Strange rectangle around desktop shortcuts

I've looked everywhere for a solution but have been unable to find one. These strange rectangles appear around my shortcuts and they're really annoying, does anyone know how to get rid of them? You can see it around Recycle Bin in the left upper corner. On a side note, Windows keeps resetting my advanced system performance settings, why is that? (shuts down some visual themes on it's own)

Only shortcus on desktop or also in other folders? Hover over another icon on desktop...same problem?
In your screenshot only problem is recycle bin...correct?

All of the shortcuts have the problem. I need to click on another and the rectangle changes onto it.

With default Windows 7 theme you see this picture
You see rectangle as well on hovering over icon?

use another Theme or edit the theme with a theme editor

I've customized my own theme. No, I do not see the rectangle when I hover over icons, I only see the white cube just like in your picture. Could you be more specific with the theme editor?

With what software did you customize your own theme?

With nothing Just windows personalization.

Alright. Save your current theme and load the standard theme, or the theme you used as a base to adjust. That works?

I'll try that later as I'm not on my desktop at the moment, and let you know how it works out.