Icons showing up as grey squares; like little pages (image attached)

About a week ago most of the icons on my computer started showing up as if a small grey page icon were placed over them. Please see attachment.

I thought perhaps this was a virus and ran Microsoft Security Essentials, Spybot S&D, and Malwarebytes but nothing was found.

I have tried going into file folders and selecting different viewing options like Large Icons, Small Icons, Details and nothing seems to get rid of this oddity.

Any suggestions as to what might be happening and how to rid it?

Thank you,
Bill

btownsend said:

About a week ago most of the icons on my computer started showing up as if a small grey page icon were placed over them. Please see attachment.

I thought perhaps this was a virus and ran Microsoft Security Essentials, Spybot S&D, and Malwarebytes but nothing was found.

I have tried going into file folders and selecting different viewing options like Large Icons, Small Icons, Details and nothing seems to get rid of this oddity.

Any suggestions as to what might be happening and how to rid it?

Thank you,
Bill

Did you install any new software? Were any Windows updates installed? Have you tried to use system restore?

Tried that and it doesn't change anything.

Tried this possible solution but it didn't change anything.

My laptop can't do a system restore. Lenovo has never figured this out. I haven't added any new software. I have run scans and nothing malicious shows up.

btownsend said:

My laptop can't do a system restore. Lenovo has never figured this out. I haven't added any new software. I have run scans and nothing malicious shows up.

Visit the following link and post back at what point does the System Restore fail;

System Restore
(If System Restore is turned "Off" there will be no restore points)

You could also try using system file checker;

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

The earliest restore point was Jan. 13. I restored and still have the issue of the grey page-like icons appearing.

This really baffles me. I hadn't loaded any new software but there were 2 updates from Microsoft on the 14 and 15th which I reverted to before those dates with System Restore.