Windows 10: Icon images missing in dekstop and file explorer

My computer is a Lenovo Y700 laptop. Specs: i7 6700HQ @ 2.6GHz (Turbo to 3.5), GeForce GTX 960M 4GB, 16GB Ram, 256GB SSD.

I had to force a log-off after a game (Tom Clancy's The Division) got locked up. I was able to use Ctrl-Alt-Del instead of holding down the power button so I logged off, thinking that would be not as potentially damaging compared to forcing a reboot. When I logged back in all of my icon images were missing - including the shortcuts in the task bar. Specifically, the icons' names were there, just the images were missing and in the task bar, the Windows default icon is in place of all of the programs' native icons. I've rebooted once with no affect on the issue.





When I mouse over a desktop shortcut just the text area is highlighted - not even a blank or invisible icon is highlighted:





While saving images for screenshots for this post I also noticed icons in File Explorer are missing as well.





But when I use the file upload feature here to upload the screenshots I took, the icons are there:





Also, while working with images for this post, in Paint's Save file dialog weird black icons flashed on and off in the left Folder Tree:





Other things I've tried/done:

• I have also updated the driver for my video card - no effect
• Creating a test user - same issues for that account
• Running sfc /scannow in and escalated Cmd window - no issues found

Everything else seems to be working fine, though. I've started several programs, including the game and all seems normal (images and functionality) in the System Tray.

Thanks for anyone's help.

:)

 

Missing dekstop icons

Hi Dee,

One of the possible reasons why you're desktop icons are missing is because your computer is on Tablet mode. When Tablet mode is enabled, icons may disappear from your desktop screen. For us to isolate your concern, we'll be needing answers to the following:

• Have you checked if Tablet mode is turned off by going to Settings >
  System > Tablet mode?
• Did you make any changes on your computer prior to the issue?
• Does the issue persist after restarting your computer?

Keep us posted and we'll be willing to assist you further.

 

Missing dekstop icons

i have lost all the icons on my desk top

Original subject/title: desktop icons

Moved from: Windows / Windows 10 / Desktop, Start, & personalization / Desktop

 

Kind of similar, except when you click on Desktop in the file viewer nothing shows up in the folder either. If you make a new folder it doesn't come up

 

How to Rebuild a Broken Icon Cache in Windows 10

 

Thanks. I was very hopeful that this would fix my issue, but alas, it did not. I also tried the thumbcache cleanup, but I didn't really expect that to affect my particular issue.

I'm hoping you (or anyone) has some other tricks up your sleeve!