UAC Shields appeared on desktop icons

Brink said:

Gator said:

Try this solution.. First, rename the original file for backup purposes.

1. Set on the option "View hidden files and folders" Hidden Files and Folders - Show or Hide
2. Go to C:\Users\"username"\App Data\Local\ where IconCache.db file is.
3. Rename it (for example: IconCache1.db) or create a new folder there and put it inside.
4. Hide system files and folders again.

Then try this command

1. Make sure UAC (User Account Control) is disabled by moving its slider to the lowest position.
2. Open the Command Prompt. Elevated Command Prompt
3. Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each line:
   taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F CD /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local DEL IconCache.db /a shutdown /r

NOTE: The last command will restart your computer, so make sure you save your work BEFORE executing those 4 lines above!
If you ever experience the shield icon again (I believe that's impossible now), just repeat the third step. Good luck!


Solution found here along with others:
How to Remove UAC Icon Overlays (Blue-Yellow Shields) in Windows 7 - Super User

In addition, OPTION ONE in the tutorial below will help make it easier to reset the icon cache instead of doing it manually above. :)

Icon Cache - Rebuild

Nice link Brink. Thanks :)

ThrashZone:
"It would be nice to know which programs are effected please follow up on the inquiry".


I have only re-installed two of the previously affected programs so far both of which are affected again: The control panel for FTX Central, which is the scenery control panel from ORBX and the other is the Estonia Migration Tool start-up which allows flight simulator FSX programs to be installed into Prepar3d when they think they are going into FSX.

I think what must have happened is that this laptop, which is 3 weeks old, came with the UAC setting on lowest (I noticed it was on lowest when I re-installed Windows 7). Later on, something must have happened to increase the setting to level 3, which caused the shields to appear (possibly a registry cleaner I used).
This installation, I increased the level to 3 which must have caused the shields to appear.
Will report back on the fix suggested in a day or two as I am going on a trip tomorrow.
Many thanks for all your fast and attentive responses!....much appreciated.

Edit: The Prepar3d program itself, whilst being a .exe, has never had the shield on the shortcut regardless of the level of UAC.

I did the icon re-build and the only change was that the migration tool had the shield added to it, which had disappeared after lowering and then raising back the UAC level...although it still requested permission without the shield. I also did the last option offered...adding the .exe key to the registry.

Some of the .exe programs have no and have never had shields. The ones which do now, did not before and I am uncertain that when they didn't, that the UAC was on the lowest level.
ORBX NZMF is a .xml, the others are all .exe.
I don't know what to do now.

It goes back to what I originally posted. This is normal and is done by design in Windows. If they "Run as administrator", then they will have the UAC shield overlay on the icon. If they don't, then they eventually will.

UAC Shields appeared on desktop icons

Hi,
You can stop adjusting your uac settings and leave it at the recommended level
It's a little shield why make a fuss about it :/
Use small icons and you can't probably even see them :)
Cheers.

Stan250 said:

From what I can see, none of these programs have ever run as administrator.

If you get a UAC prompt when you run a program, it's asking you Yes/No to allow the program to "Run as administrator".

No real tech is going to tell you how to put your machine at more risk via your inquiry "Is this a security risk lowering uac settings" Yes it is,
Cheers and good luck nothing is wrong,
Cheers.