Windows 10: Pinned applications on taskbar revert to generic icon

Hi there, I've noticed that my Taskbar icons more frequently revert to a generic one, rather than the actual app's icon. Here's what I mean: Seems like only Microsoft product icons are working as intended, even then Visual Studio isn't appearing correctly either. The issue seems to just affect pinned applications, naturally the ones I find myself using the most:Any ideas? Appreciate any help you can provide.

:)

 

windows 10 home missing pin to taskbar for installed applications

I added a third step to the first suggestion, which worked for me:

1. Choose start> All apps,

2. Scroll to the application you want to pin, right click and then click
Pin to taskbar.

3. When the desired icon tile appears in the desktop box, left click on it and drag it into the task bar.

 

windows 11 taskbar icons are generic for some apps

I am having this issue and steps above did not help.

The DISM checks were fine (both completed successfully, no issues found)

and the Icon cache rebuild, completely successfully. However the issue persists.

I have a quick fix that helps, but after doing this, the issue has reappeared for me on subsequent reboots.

QUICK FIX (basically unpin and re-pin the icon)

• Click the generic icon to start the associated program.
  
• Right click on the same taskbar icon and select "Unpin from taskbar" (For me, this allows the correct icon to show, and since the program is running... the icon stays in place)
  
• Then, so that you do not lose the icon, before closing the associated program, right click the same taskbar icon again and choose "Pin to taskbar"
  
• Then you can close the associated program.
  

Hope this helps someone in the short term. In the long term, I am still looking for a fix.

 

Pinned Icons In Taskbar, But No Pinned Shortcut Files Remain

Windows 10, Version 21H1 (OS Build 19043.1466)

About a week ago I noticed a pinned file in my taskbar. I right-clicked it and chose delete from the context menu. A white file replaced it. Here I a week later and the file still remains. I intentionally added another this morning, deleted it, and another white file appeared (as pictured).

1. I tried to delete the file a second time by right-clicking and choosing delete. But the file couldn't be found.
   
   
   
   
   
2. I checked %AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar but no files are present.
3. I tried rebuilding the icon cache and restarting. The new white file that appeared this morning did go away. But a single white file still remains. The file disappeared when Explorer.exe was restarted. It did not take rebooting to get it to disappear.
   
   
   

Any ideas on what I might try next?