Strange appearance of Shortcut Icons

Hello-

Years ago I created a folder and named it Applinks. The folder contains shortcuts of various programs that I frequently use. In creating the folder I would find the application then Send To > Desktop as Shortcut then drag and drop the shortcut into the folder. The location of the folder is C:\Applinks. The folder is opened from the RocketDock program.

In no other folder on the computer does this strange presentation of shortcut icons occur. Interestingly, when the items are viewed as Extra Large Icons the black boxes are not present. All other (list, details, small, etc) views and the black boxes are present.

It kind of looks like it might be associated with the area where the shortcut arrow normally is. I've had it set for the arrow to not be visible for 4 years. In the registry the value for the 29 string value is C:\Windows\Blank.ico,0. What in the world might I be dealing with here?

Layback Bear said:

How long have you been using IObit anything. Their products cause many strange things to happen. You could be one update of IObit away from disaster.

That's a remnant. Uninstalled it and any other IOBit program years ago.

Layback Bear said:

I totally recommend removing any part of IObits. IF you can find it remove it.

Why would you keep in a special folder a icon of a program you remove years ago?

Nevermind. I came here for some information about the occurrence of that black box, not a reprimand for not removing shortcuts to programs that I removed years ago.

I did a SysRestore from a date 3 days prior to this occurring. Thanks.