Windows 7: Icon Cache - Rebuild

You're welcome tkrojam.

Hi, first time poster here :-)
I've benefited from this site quite often, and have again today with this thread. I thought I'd give something back and suggest improvements for this handy guide.

I've amended the batch file and uploaded to: http://www.proactiveservices.co.uk/R...Icon_Cache.zip

Used the %localappdata% variable and a filename variable to provide greater accuracy and flexibility.
Enclosed references to the IconCache file with quotes to ensure paths with spaces are handled correctly.
Batch no longer does anything if the IconCache file does not exist - explorer kill / system shutdown not necessary in this case.
Removed shutdown code as a shell restart is all that's needed. Confirmed on Vista x64 SP2 and Win 7 x64 SP1.
Amended shell restart line so that the batch file is not "held up" after launching explorer.

The manual steps can be similarly amended to:

• taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
• DEL "%localappdata%\IconCache.db" /A
• start explorer.exe

Also you can mark this is working on Vista too - it works just fine on my Vista x64 SP2 system.

Hello ProactiveSvcs, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Thank you for the touchup.

co-works icon's were all jacked up today. This fixed there issues with ease. Thanks.

The command-line did it for me. My admin. acct. displayed well, but my stand. acct. did not. Reseting the iconcache did the job thanks a bunch!!

When it comes to icon shortcuts on desktop or start-menu or other folders, you must pay attention to the "Target' and "start" field. Even if you have to navigate manually (by opening my computer, select c:, etc...). This clue tells 2 things: the proper Path, and the Appl. name with a colorful icon (if it has one). Correct the path to both fields solves common pointer (shortcut), then click "change icons" and navigate to that folder (cllick Browse...) and select the Appl. name (*.exe) and that becomes your icon (or you can navigate the folders, seeking other icon images or an image folder may contain something to your liking).

thanks for the tips!

Glad it could help Suny, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Oh Shawn, you made something awesome man, that BAT solved my problem instantly! I have been suffering with corrupt icons in Windows 7 for years, I usually waited for them to repair themselves, but you made it!!

Hello Nilanko,

I'm happy to hear it was able to help.

Both Methods 1 and 2 solve this problem, albeit temporarily, for my system. However, every time I install a new application/program, the icon cache needs to be reset. Is this going to be the norm for as long as I have this system?
I just bought three identically spec'd laptops and this is the only one with this issue.

Hello Max, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Sounds like you may have some corruption.

As a test, see if increasing the size of the icon cache may be able to help.

Icon Cache Size - Change in Windows

Hope this helps,
Shawn