Windows 7's Desktop Icons


  1. Posts : 12
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SP1
       #1

    Windows 7's Desktop Icons


    Hi all

    A couple of weeks ago, I had to re-install Windows 7 Home Premium. And ever since then, I keep losing the desktop icons. I have tried various fixes and while most work, as soon as the PC is re-booted, the icons disappear again. The text label for each icon is there, just no icon. And each "icon" is also click-able, so they are all working, just no picture.

    Earlier today, while playing around in the desktop properties, I noticed something really weird.

    If I change the desktop icons to large, I get really nice large icons, but I wouldn't get many on the screen.
    If I change the desktop icons to medium, the size of the icons is reduced, but there is a square about one quarter of the icon missing, from the bottom left of the icon.
    If I change the desktop icons to small, the icons disappear completely and just leave the label.

    Seeing how this forum is generally for the sole purpose offering advice and other information about Microsoft's "buggy" Windows 7, so I'm hoping that some bright spark can come up with a solution to this weird and peculiar problem.

    Thanks
    Terry
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 72,046
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello Terry,

    From your description, it sounds like you may need to use the tutorial below to restore the default shortcut arrow overlay icon.

    Shortcut Arrow - Change, Remove, or Restore

    Hope this helps, :)
    Shawn
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 12
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi Shawn

    Unfortunately, I've already tried everything in that tutorial, but it didn't help at all.

    Terry
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 72,046
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #4

    In that case, you might see if rebuilding the icon cache may help.

    Icon Cache - Rebuild
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 12
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hi Shawn

    I actually tried the Manual Icon Cache rebuild several times yesterday and the day before, and re-booted after as per the last command but it didn't work.

    However, today when I downloaded and ran the batch file, the icons re-appeared but it didn't re-boot the PC. So I re-booted it manually(?) and lo and behold, the icons were all STILL THERE!

    So, thanks very much for that. And I'll just sit back, cross my fingers whenever I re-boot, and maybe the icons will stay.

    Of course, this icon missing thing is really peculiar? I've had this exact PC and the exact same version of Windows 7 running for the past couple of years. And not once did Win7 put a foot wrong. And then when I did a Repair Install and the icons all disappeared.

    Anyway, thanks again
    Terry
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 72,046
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #6

    You're welcome Terry. Hopefully it won't happen anymore. :)
      My Computer


 

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