Windows 10: Shortcut icons keep changing

Shortcuts used to be indicated by a fairly unobtrusive arrow in the corner. A few days ago they changed to an overly visible white arrow in a green circle in the lower middle of the program icon. Then they changed to a gray X in the corner. Now they're back to the arrow in the green circle. What's going on?

:)

 

Desktop shortcut icons keep changing from arrow to nothing or other image on WIndows 10

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Desktop shortcut icons keep changing from arrow to nothing or other image on WIndows 10

I tried that on 10/3. Here's what I reported then: When I tried that the only option available to me (in choose what to keep) was to keep nothing, so I aborted that process.

 

1. Try right click at the desktop > click Refresh.

2. Go to your Resolution window, change it to a different resolution and then back.
Settings > System > Display > right side, click Advanced Display Settings > change the resolution and then back to Recommended setting.

 

So they change whenever the resolution changes? I play several games that muck about with the resolution. I wish they didn't but they do so I guess that's why they're changing, right? Because that's what I was asking-not how to 'fix' them but rather why they keep changing. Thanks.

 

Well, if resetting resolution does fix the problem, wouldn't you say that is also " why " they keep changing ?

 

Not necessarily. I've had issues on other computers that refreshing the desktop fixed even though I know it wasn't the cause. Taken with my games that do change the resolution though it's a pretty fair guess. Thanks.

 

This is old enough that I'm not sure others will find this but I finally found the answer. At least part of it and it's got nothing to do with the resolution. The arrow in the green circle is OneDrive indicating the local file is in sync with the online file. Which is total garbage since I don't have any online files-and I'm not too sure that shortcuts should be synced anyway. I don't use OneDrive at all but Microsoft in their infinite greed won't let me uninstall it. I did find an article telling me how to entirely disable it though. I'll give that a try & hope that it gets rid of the icon overlays. (It's amazing how using the right terms can let you find helpful articles.)

The gray X that also appears isn't mentioned as a OneDrive overlay but I'm willing to be it indicates that OneDrive's most recent check of the sync status either failed or is incomplete.

 

Since when is giving away a free function considered greed? And you can fully disable it. So I don't see a problem here.
If this is greed, then you should see the added apps/functions Google has on Android. But I don't this Googel is greedy eathier.

 

Maybe it's my paranoia but I'm pretty certain that MS is getting paid for this 'free' function. Same with Google. We might not pay (other than in frustration) but it's greed that drives any profit-making company.