Solved Blank icon with no name in Control Panel

[Sarc]

I uninstalled all the Nvidia drivers, but the no name icon as well as the blank Physx icon still remained. So I uninstalled Physx but the no name icon stayed. Here are some screenshots (before the drivers was installed). Downloaded and installed Nvidia drivers through Windows Update. The strange thing is that though the driver is installed there are NO Nvidia icons anymore in Control Panel. The no name icon is still present.

 

[Brink]

Sarc,

As a test, see if hiding the AGEIA PhysX (32-bit) icon using the tutorial below may completely get rid of the blank icon afterwards.

Control Panel - Hide Icon - Vista Forums

 

[Sarc]

After I removed AGEIA PhysX (32-bit) and reinstalled Nvidia, that icon is non-existent. Just the no name icon in the CP list within the Start Menu

 

[Brink]

Well, so much for that.

How long has the blank icon been in the Start Menu if known?

 

[Sarc]

Brink,

Saw it a couple of days ago. I just reinstalled Win7 on this computer about a week or two ago.

 

[marsmimar]

Just a thought that might jog someone's memory (someone more knowledgeable than me!) And forgive me if I'm not using the right terminology. It's my understanding that Control Panel items are usually files with a .cpl extension. But an invalid or non-functioning icon could be the result of an incomplete uninstall of a program which then results in the icon being used as a namespace within the registry.

Back in the old days (Windows XP) there was a Shell Object Editor from Tropical Technologies that could be used to find these namespace items. Could something like this be used to help Sarc?

 

[Sarc]

I reinstalled Physx - it was needed to play a game. Blank no name icon still there. I even tried CCleaner registry scanner & Revo Uninstaller, but to no avail.

 

[Sarc]

Solved

OMG - I just checked the Control Panel list in the Start Menu and the blank no name icon is GONE!!! I have absolutely no idea what fixed it. Thanks to everyone who tried to help me. Maybe you guys can guide on how to find what fixed the problem.

 

[writhziden]

I even tried CCleaner registry scanner & Revo Uninstaller...

Did you reboot before it disappeared. One of the above may have done the trick and just required a restart.

 

[Sarc]

I'm almost sure I rebooted after installing PhysX again. Though in all likelyhood it was probably the reinstallation of PhysX which fixed it.

 

[Brink]

That's great news Sarc. I'm happy to hear that it's gone now.