Windows 10: red x on icons. .

I have red x on desktop icons. These are personal directory shortcuts. I disabled Icloud from the computer and the red x persists on the icons. How do I fix this probem so that I can use these shortcuts on the desktop.Also when I try to delete the icon off the desktop, it warns me that I would be deleting the whole directory. I don't want to do that.Howard

:)

 

red x on connection icon

It's an issue that can occur depending on several factors, but I'd try the steps outlined here first: Windows shows
red “X” on network icon, but I'm connected

 

HDDs icons with big red X

Rebuilding the icon cache was the first thing I tried. Actually, I did that before starting this thread. I also tried SFC /scannow and DISM — both TNA. Even Icaros didn't fix it.

As to the OneDrive suggestion, unfortunately it made things worse.

First I unlinked my PC from OneDrive. Before I restarted the system I checked the desktop and found that the icons changed and showed the apps and folder icons with some sort of system default overlay.
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Then I restarted the system and the issue was still there.

But now I have the executables shortcuts icons shown on the desktop as a blank icon. The exception is the IrfanView shortcut icon, which, like the other icons, shows a sort of blank overlay (it seems to be related to the arrow overlay). PDF files and internet shortcuts also show that. Images and files shortcuts icons (like TXT) are normal.
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Desktop now




The taskbar too shows a blank icon for most shortcuts.
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This new thing can be seen elsewhere on the system, but with some details. When Explorer is set to show Small icons, List, and Details, those new issues appear. The other viewing options show the icons normally.
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Explorer in Details view




Explorer in Large icons view




Well, I guess the problem is with icons only, not related to HDDs and stuff.

 

HDDs icons with big red X

I found the solution! Well, sort of...

The problem was IconPackager. I decided to install it again, but got error messages saying I couldn't modify, repair or uninstall it. Which means its previous uninstallation wasn't complete and left... leftovers.
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I searched about that error 2343 and found this forum post where a guy suggested using the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter from Microsoft.

The result was that I could install IconPackager again and apply one of its packages.

Now the desktop icons are almost all (but not all) back to normal. And the HDDs icons too—without the big red X!
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The only snag is that the Microsoft Store and Mail taskbar icons are now black. And the desktop folders icons are "blank".
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Well, at least it's the lesser of two evils!

But now I have to check more on IconPackager to know why it does such a mess.

Thank you, guys. Case solved.