Icons missing

Hello,

Sorry if I'm posting in the wrong section but I just registered.

For the past few days, I've noticed the icons from the startup menu starting to go missing. Programs like Paint, Skype, Microsoft Office suite aren't there. I tried using the search bar but they're not there either. However, I can still use them if I have another file open.

I don't know why this is happening but I did download Codec-C plugin a few days back and updated Avast. Maybe one of them triggered it. If someone knows what I'm talking about, please help!

Thanks :)

Hello nbafan and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you have a system restore point that goes back prior to when you installed the codecs and/or updated avast, you could try restoring your computer to that date/time.

System Restore

Then update avast first (always best to have the most updated antimalware on your computer) and see if the icon problem returns. If all is OK, then try installing the codecs again. If everything works - problem solved. If not you'll know which might have caused the issue.

If the icons are still messed up you could also try rebuilding the icon cache. This tutorial will explain how.

Icon Cache - Rebuild

Please post back if any of this helped or not.

In addition to marsmimar, try Right Clicking on empty area of the Start Menu when the Start Button has been pressed and chose Properties. Then select Store and display recently opened programs in the start menu. and Store and display recently opened items in the Start Menu and Taskbar.

Then load the programs and pin if you wish.

Thanks for your reply guys.

I did think of restoring my computer to a different point. The only restore points I got were of yesterday and Feb 25 when I created a back up. If nothing works, I will select that point.

When I open Avast, this is the window that appears (look at attachment)
I clicked register but nothing pops up so I downloaded AVG and ran a scan. It didn't detect anything severe but I did remove everything it detected.

Infinite, I did what you suggested and they're already selected.

I'm usually good with computers but this problem's pretty weird.

This is what my Accessories/System Tools folder looks like:


I'm also going to try to rebuild the cache and let you know!

I'm trying to remove Avast from my computer since I have AVG installed. I tried to End Task from the Task Manager and it's telling me: The operation could not be completed. Access is denied.

I've never seen this message pop up before.

I recommend removing AVG as it is not very good and using either MSE or Avast (reinstall Avast).

You'd probably need to Right Click Avast from the Notification Area Icon Tray and Exit as Comodo does the same thing when ended from Task Manager.

Infinite said:

I recommend removing AVG as it is not very good and using either MSE or Avast (reinstall Avast).

You'd probably need to Right Click Avast from the Notification Area Icon Tray and Exit as Comodo does the same thing when ended from Task Manager.

When I go into Add/Remove programs, I don't even see Avast there. I feel like that's what is causing the problems.

When I right click Avast from the Notification Area, I don't see a Exit as Comodo option.

Arc said:

Some settings of the recent versions of Ccleaner wipe up the start menu. It's not harmful, if those can be accessed form the all programs list. Open the program using the all program list , for one or two times, it will be back in start menu.

Then, you may pin those there.

EDIT : Sorry I misunderstood !
Do you use any Disk / Registry cleaning utility ?

Actually I did what you said and it worked for programs like Skype, and VLC. I can't seem to find Microsoft Office files though.
And no, I don't use any of that.