Solved Some Desktop Icons turned into a default Icon

Ken429

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What did I do this time! I got a nasty Malware program "WeCare" from the Imgburn Install (I think) and ran Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to get rid of all the stuff it put in the registry. That seemed to work. I also ran CCleaner a couple of times. Again that seemed to work. However, now SOME of the shortcuts that I created for standalone programs - IBT, HWinfo, Prime95, SSDLife, and RegEdit show as a blank page with the upper right corner folded. I have also run into this issue on a W7 system but managed to force Windows to pick up an Icon from a different source. So...any idea on who or what is causing this problem would be appreciated. What file can I delete that would cause Windows to rebuild the Desktop Icons?

I found a .bat file that deletes the Icon Cache and rebuilds it. That solves my immediate issue...but...still curious on who or what caused specific Icons to go to default or whatever.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W.8.1 Pro Update 1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 OC Formula
    Memory
    GSkill 2400-10
    Graphics Card(s)
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S27B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    Mushkin Chronos DX-7 240GB, WD Raptor 250Gb, 3 -WD Raptors 500GB
    PSU
    Seasonic X750
    Case
    Corsair 800D
    Cooling
    Swiftech Apogee HD 3X120 Rad
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Sidewinder X4
    Mouse
    Microsoft Exporer 2.0
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
Hello Ken,

It's caused when the icon cache that Windows uses to load preloaded icons from gets corrupted. In your case, I would say the malware or one of the actions used to remove the malware corrupted it.

Rebuilding the icon cache solves the issue by forcing Windows to clear the corrupted icon cache and preload a fresh copy of the icons in the cache again.

Icon Cache - Rebuild - Windows 7 Help Forums

It's nothing to worry about. The icon cache tends to be easily corrupted. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I'm amazed that these quality programs have soe of the worst Malware and as close to actual viruses as a virus!

Some 3rd party apps have the Icon Cache rebuilder but they are paid apps, but I think D7 can do it, It has an Icon Cache rebuilder in it, it automates the process.

d7 Free - Computer Technician - PC Repair Software -Foolish IT LLC

Its in the Maintenance section, do not use anything else, it is a prety advanced program, and you can brick your PC if you use it without knwoing what you are doing. The Dev Site is heavily documented.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
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