Icons disappearing with error messages and being sent to Recycle Bin

I am going nuts with this problem and maybe you guys are the only ones who can help. Even Answers.Microsoft.com hasn't been able to give me a solution that works.

Here's the problem:

Every time I start my computer and I click on an icon (on the desktop or in the Start menu), the icon disappears and this error message shows up about a dozen times:"Could not find this item. This is no longer in C:\...Verify this item's location."

I've done all of the following and none of them have worked:

• System Restore before certain Microsoft updates
• I get the same problem in Safe Mode
• The problem gets worse when I create another user account and use that account instead of the Administrator account
• I've replaced Avira antivirus with Microsoft Security Essentials and ran a full scan
• I've tried a Clean Reboot
• Full scans using Avira, Malwarebytes, Spybot Search & Destroy ClamWin, and various Microsoft downloadable fixes
• Windows Command Processor (CMD) > sfc /scannow
• Adding, changing, and subtracting registry entries
• Yelling and swearing at it...

I have Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit on an HP G60 Notebook with 3GB RAM with Pentium Dual Core T4300 @ 2.10GHz

The strange thing is about ten minutes after getting these icons disappearing and error messages, the system seems to return to normal. This morning I started the computer, let it run for 20 minutes without touching anything. Then I clicked on an icon and get the same problem: it gets sent to the Recycle Bin with the error messages.

Oh, and when I go to the Recycle Bin and click on the icon or document to restore it, I get a message asking me if I really want to delete it (??)

Thanks for your help or pointing me in the right direction.

Hi Kaktussoft,

Thanks for your reply...

When I go into another user account and I click on any icon, I get this error message:

"FILE ACCESS DENIED. You'll need to provide administrator permission to delete this file."

And that message window keeps automatically duplicating dozens of times so that the drop shadow becomes a a sooty black border. This happens when I click on any icon just one time. So, to answer your question, this is the result on any shortcut, document, or program icon.

When I click on a file or folder icon in Explorer (as an Administrator), the same problem happens: the icons disappear and go straight to the Recycle Bin with the same error messages ("Could not find this item....").

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

I don't normally suggest this because it seems like I'm taking the easy route to solve your problem, but in view of the things you have already tried I'd be inclined to go for a clean install.

Clean Install Windows 7

I'm assuming of course that you have a Windows DVD. If not, it'll be a factory restore you'll need to carry out.

When I right click on an icon, the icon disappears, the normal context menu pops up, and when I click on Open, I get the "can't find" error message again. The first time this problem happened I did go into the Programs folder via Windows Explorer and anytime I clicked on a program directory/folder, say Skype, it would disappear and get sent to the Recycle Bin. So the problem happens with shortcuts, folders, documents, and executables.

The other day (after I had this problem) I installed Stardock's free Object Dock. It sets up your desktop icons along the bottom of the desktop, similar to Mac OS. When I clicked on any of those icons, the program would open. I have Windows Explorer on Object Dock and when I opened Windows Explorer and clicked on any icon, say a video, it would disappear, get sent to the Recycle Bin, and of course the error message.

I can't do the Clean Install because I don't have a Windows disk. And I'd rather not do a Factory Restore. This disappearing icon problem only happens in the first ten minutes or so after start-up, or I should say the first ten minutes after using the computer.

I'll try Default File Type Associations - Restore and see what happens.

Thanks.

Yes, that's right. I was able to click on the Programs folder and open it but not on any of the individual programs. I only did that once. And yes, after about ten minutes or so everything returns to normal. (I have to restore any icons/documents/files/programs from the Recycle Bin though.) I can click on an icon and have it open the program or document with no problems. And I get no error messages when I turn on or turn off the computer.