Windows 7: Blank icon with no name in Control Panel

My Start Menu is set to display the Control Panel as a menu. At the top of the list is an item with no icon or name. Clicking it does nothing. I cant even create a shortcut of it. How can I remove this item? (Please see attached pic of the problem)

Switch the control panel setting back to display as a link, check control panel. Post your results.

Tried that but when I switch back to MENU from LINK, the blank entry is still there.

Brink is the icon expert around here, try IMing him through this thread.

Icon Problem

PM sent to BRINK. Thanks for your help though

He may or may not see it that way. You have to click on his icon to send him a message.

Just a couple of follow up questions, Sarc. Have you recently uninstalled anything from your computer that might have left behind this blank icon? If you hover your cursor over the icon does it give any information in a popup? When you say you clicked on the icon was that a right click? Have you rebooted your computer since this icon first appeared? Have you run a full system scan with your antivirus and antispyware of choice? Have you run any other free on-demand scanners like Malwarebytes, Superantispyware, HitmanPro, Comodo Cleaning Essentials, etc?

You could try rebuilding your icon cache:

Icon Cache - Rebuild

You could also run a System File Checker scan to see if there are any damaged or corrupt system files. If problems are noted run the scan 3 times rebooting in between each scan.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

If none of the above helps you could try a system restore and return your computer to a date/time prior to when the icon first appeared.



System Restore

I have recently installed many Windows updates as well as uninstalled some software, but cant pinpoint which one exactly left this control panel entry behind. Left clicking the icon does nothing. Right clicking gives the option of creating a shortcut which does not work.I have rebooted the system twice since the appearance of this entry. MS Security Essentials is continuously up and running with the latest definitions. SFC did not find any problems. I dont want to do a system restore as that may introduce more problems (I think).

Update: Rebuilding icons does not work

Hello Sarc, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Just as a test, could you post a screenshot of your Control Panel in large icons view showing all items in it to see if you have the blank entry there as well?

This blank icon does not appear in a Control Panel explorer window.