icons on desktop are gone text is still there & start menu doesn't ope

[Pauldice]

icons on desktop are gone text is still there & start menu doesn't ope

icons on desktop are gone text is still there & start menu doesn't open.

I have searched and searched for an answer and this doesn't seem like the easy fix. I have tried the task manager explorer.exe thing. I have also right clicked on desktop and tried changing the view settings. I have scanned for viruses using stop sign I have deleted all that has showed. Also I have gone in safe mode and it shows the same problem... one more thing! When I change folder options to "show invisible folders and files" it doesn't show anything new.

Someone please help I've been on this Frickin problem for a few days...

Thank you in advance
Paul Dice

 

[GokAy]

Scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free too.

Then try a System Restore to a prior date (before the issue).

And run the scan again.

 

[Pauldice]

I'll try doing that scan with that software. But as to doing a recovery, I can't go far enough back when the problem occurred. Thank you.

 

[GokAy]

If it was only icon problem, it is possible to use http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/49819-icon-cache-rebuild.html
Go ahead and try it after MBAM scan.

 

[Pauldice]

Thank you I will try this as well, I guess the weird thing that I've never seen before is that when I put the computer in safe mode it is the same, or at least acts & looks the same. Same thing when I switch the folders over to see invisible. Still see the same stuff. It is very odd. Thank you again I will try both these steps.

 

[Pauldice]

I have done everything you have listed. Is there anything else I can try?

 

[Pauldice]

Here is what I'm looking at.

 

[marsmimar]

Here's a couple of articles that might help:

(Solved) Desktop icons are not Showing - Icons Disappeared or MissingTech Support All

Hide or unhide Desktop icons in Windows 8 / 7

 

[Pauldice]

Thank you for your information I have just tried all of it. Is there anything else I can try? I have a feeling the Explorer.exe is corrupt some how...

 

[marsmimar]

Try running a full scan with the free Malwarebytes.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/products/

If the Malwarebytes scan comes back clean you could try running a System File Checker scan from an elevated command prompt (Option Two) to rule out damaged or corrupt system files:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[jumanji]

Check whether this helps http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/238514-all-icons-without-any-images-only-text.html -Solved

EDIT: I did not find Shell Icons folder in my registry. May be it will be there in your case if you had anytime meddled with some tweaking software to alter the characteristics of the desktop icons. ( I don't meddle )

 

[GokAy]

Hmm, none here as well, I also checked Wow6432Node address as well, since OP in the solution thread had 32 bit win7. It's not there either. Very nice find though Jumanji. Same as what OP has described here.