Icon Graphics missing on Desktop

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Hi,
I originally posted a thread about this problem back in March 2015 (http://windowssecrets.com/forums/showthread//167519-Desktop-icons-missing?highlight=Desktop+Icons+Missing) but was unable to fix the problem, despite trying all suggestions from forum members. The same problem has reared its head yet again and I wonder if anyone has any further suggestions to cure this annoying problem ?

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I have a recurring problem on my Acer Travelmate P253 Laptop which is running Windows 7 Pro 64 bit SP1 OS with 4GB RAM.

Every now and then when booting up, the desktop Icon graphics are missing. The Icon text is present and also the Icons in the Quick Launch bar are missing although if I float the mouse pointer in the Quick Launch bar, I can see small transparent boxes where the icons would normally be. If I click on the Icon text on the desktop, or the transparent boxes in the Quick Launch bar, the actions start as normal. Also, when viewing a folder such as C: again any icons which would normally be displayed, are absent but clicking on the Icon text, opens the target file or folder. Clicking on the Windows Orb, instead of opening the Start Menu, does nothing so I can’t access any programs in the normal way.

I’ve carried out virus and Malware searches using AVG and Malwarebytes and run CCleaner – no viruses or Malware were found.

From some research I’ve done in the past, I understand that this may have something to do with ‘explorer.exe’ so I opened Task Manager (via CTRL/ALT/DEL) and under the Processes tab, I ended the ‘explorer.exe’ process and then restarted it but this did not fix the problem. I’ve carried out a ‘sfc /scannow’ but it did not report any errors.

Having done some further research, I did the following :
Rebuilt the Icon cache using a program called ‘Icon Cache Re-builder.
Running Microsoft Fixit Center.
Restoring to an earlier point in Safe Mode.
Starting in Safe Mode.
Using the Recovery option on a Windows 7 Pro CD.

None of these actions fixed the problem….

The only solution I have is to restore the C: drive from an image on an external USB drive. However this means that I have lost some files….. I normally create a C: Drive image about once a month.

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Have you tried right clicking on the desktop, select Personalize/Change desktop icons – hit the Restore Defaults button and perhaps uncheck the box for Allow themes to change the desktop icons.

Prior to restoring with a system image if you have created files since, is to back those up separately onto something like a Flash drive and then copy them back in after the restore.

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Have you tried right clicking on the desktop, select Personalize/Change desktop icons – hit the Restore Defaults button and perhaps uncheck the box for Allow themes to change the desktop icons.

Thakns for your reply…..

Prior to restoring with a system image if you have created files since, is to back those up separately onto something like a Flash drive and then copy them back in after the restore.

Yes, I’ve tried ‘right clicking the desktop…..’ etc. in the past but it didn’t help. The box you mention has always been unticked

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Since the Desktop is dynamic, always refreshing/redrawing I would be looking at the video drivers, make sure they are up-do-date.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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Since the Desktop is dynamic, always refreshing/redrawing I would be looking at the video drivers, make sure they are up-do-date.

Thanks for your reply

I checked my video drivers and they are up to date. In addition to checking the video Driver in Device Manager, I use a program called Driver Booster.

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Have you right clicked the desktop, selected “View” and made sure “Show desktop icons” is checked?

Also, try a “Refresh” after right clicking the desktop.

Sometimes the simple things get overlooked.

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Have you right clicked the desktop, selected “View” and made sure “Show desktop icons” is checked?

Also, try a “Refresh” after right clicking the desktop.

Sometimes the simple things get overlooked.

Thanks for your reply…. Yes, tried that as well but did not fix the problem…….

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From some research I’ve done in the past, I understand that this may have something to do with ‘explorer.exe’ so I opened Task Manager (via CTRL/ALT/DEL) and under the Processes tab, I ended the ‘explorer.exe’ process and then restarted it but this did not fix the problem.

I would not suggest killing ‘explorer.exe’. ‘explorer.exe’ is your desktop shell. Basically, you are killing an essential part of Windows if you kill ‘explorer.exe’.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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I would not suggest killing ‘explorer.exe’. ‘explorer.exe’ is your desktop shell. Basically, you are killing an essential part of Windows if you kill ‘explorer.exe’.

Thanks for your reply…..

This possible solution was suggested on a Microsoft Help forum, but as I said in my original posting’ it did not cure the problem…..

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