Windows 10: Gray bars on desktop, in apps, everywhere

For the past several months I've been seeing gray bars on my screen - regardless of whether I'm in a program or not. I'm running the October update to Win 10 on a Dell XPS desktop. I do not want these bars but I can't get rid of them. The flow off to the right from icons, pictures and text. How can I get rid of them? Pix below shows bars in both a browser and on a Windows 10 Settings page. Very annoying - especially since there seems to be no way to be rid of them. I'm using the same theme that I've used for years without this issue. This picture doesn't do this justice - the lines are darker on the screen.


SML

:)

 

Gray bar at bottom of each folder in large icons view

• What are the changes made or things you've done before the issue start? I ran hitmanpro.
• Do this gray bar displays on all folders and files in the File Explorer?
  The gray bar does display on all folders in the File Explorer but not individual files themselves. The gray bar only displays on all folders in view as Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, and Medium Icons. The gray bar does not show when view is either in Small
  Icons or List, or Details.
• Does the folders and files with the gray bar can still be accessed successfully?
  Yes all folders with the gray bar and the individual files in the folders can be accessed.

I am currently running System File Checker and will let you know if that works.

If if doesn't work then I'll run DISM or System Update Readiness tool as suggested.

Thank you so much.

*UPDATE*

The results of System File Checker says "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations."

Now I'll run DISM or System Update Readiness Tool as suggested.

 

Gray bar at bottom of each folder in large icons view

Hi Aries,

To address your concern, provide the answers to the following:

• What are the changes made or things you've done before the issue start?
  
• Do this gray bar displays on all folders and files in the File Explorer?
  
• Does the folders and files with the gray bar can still be accessed successfully?
  

In the meantime, we suggest that you run the following scans to repair missing or corrupted system files:

• System File Checker
  
• DISM or System Update Readiness tool
  

Let us know the result.

Regards.

 

Spinning cursor on task bar for work desktop

Hello TaraKelley,

For us to better assist you, kindly provide the following information:

• Confirm which build is currently installed on your device. To check, follow the steps below:

• Press Windows key + R, then type in winver.
• Click OK.

• Were there any recent changes made prior to this issue?
• What troubleshooting steps have you done so far?

Meanwhile, we suggest that you download and run the Start menu troubleshooter on this
link. This troubleshooter automatically diagnose and repair common problem with Start menu.

We look forward to your response.

Regards.