Windows 10: Desktop shortcuts in Folders not visible

When I switched on my pc yesterday running latest version of Win 10 I notice that all the shortcuts are no longer visible in the desktop folders, or, any folders. Before I could see a representation of them sticking out from the Folder.

When I click on a folder it opens and all the shortcuts are there where they should be.

Why have the shortcuts disappeared?

:)

 

Desktop shortcuts

Shortcuts can "live" in two places:

• In your own profile folder (C:\Users\Luke\Desktop). They are visible to you only.
• In the public profile folder (C:\Users\Public\Desktop). They are visible to all users.

You should now know why the deleted shortcut disappeared from both desktops.

Deleting a shortcut does NOT delete the file or folder it refers to. I recommend you run some tests to confirm this.

 

Windows 10 File Explorer - Desktop Folder only shows some shortcuts?

When I go to the Desktop folder in File Explorer I only see some of the Desktop icons and shortcuts. For instance, the Recycle Bin is not visible. Surely this should be visible by default, it's a no brainer.

Can it be made visible?

 

Hi have a look at
Shortcut Arrow Icon - Change, Remove, or Restore in Windows 10

or use this free reputable tweaker




As to why... sorry, my crystal ball is down for unforeseen scheduled maintenance. *Smile

 

Thanks for this dalchina, I think you could be on to something here. Quick question though before I dive in..........
Does this fix only apply to the arrow overlay icon missing or will it also bring back my whole missing shortcuts?

 

Hi, you referred to this:

so I read your post assuming you meant the arrows.

Please clarify if you mean sthg else. Thanks.

 

Ahh.... no, I was referring to the actual pictures (icons) of the files (shortcuts) within the folders. Before it was just like a real folder which contained a whole bunch of separate files. You could just about see the colours or some writing on them inside the folder. Now all I have is a bunch of yellow folders half open with no sign of the files inside, although they are all still there when I open the folder. All of the shortcuts do have the arrow showing in the bottom left corner. The files of course do not have arrows.

 

Ah, so you don't mean the shortcuts have disappeared (as you said), or the arrows indicating they are shortcuts, rather that the representation of the folder content has vanished- presumably you see just a yellow folder with text and a shortcut arrow.

Try clearing the thumbnail cache
Thumbnail Cache - Clear and Reset in Windows 10

If that doesn't work, try the simple and obvious- do you have a restore point you can use -e.g. set yesterday?

 

Yup, that's about right. All I've got is the yellow folders half open with the name of the folder underneath it. No arrow though.
I'm running a SFC at the moment and if that proves no good the next on the list will be the cache clear and reset. I don't normally manually set a restore point at boot but, with any luck there maybe one I can use. The problem is I've been 'living' with this 'condition' now for last 3 days. Didn't both before as all the files in the folders were still accessible. Its only now I'm thinking - "this ain't right I need to fix it".
Thanks for your time on this by the way, much appreciated.

 

OK, back after running SFC and Disk Cleanup (deleting cache and all shortcuts) . Unfortunately still no sign of the missing files shortcuts in their places in the folders.

Next I'll try rollback see if that has any effect although I don't think I can rollback 3 days. Still, here goes nothing.

 

#6
Try clearing the thumbnail cache - this has worked for some with your symptoms

I suggested you try this before using system restore.

Thumbnail Cache - Clear and Reset in Windows 10

 

Latest update. I have run the Disc Cleanup which 'says' it has cleared both the cache and reset the thumbnails but there was no change. I wonder if its worth trying the BAT approach?

However, I have now noticed one other factor that maybe pointing to where the problem lies. I logged into another account on my PC which of course has its own profile. The desktop was as it should be with all the folders showing they contain files/shortcuts etc. So, it would appear that the problem could be account/profile related.

If so, the question now is, how do I reset my profile on the account which is playing up?