Strange, inert icon appearing on desktop


  1. goldrich
    Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Strange, inert icon appearing on desktop


    Starting yesterday I found a small icon on my desktop. It floated above all windows, was unmovable, and didn't respond to mouse clicks. When I rebooted, it was gone, but today I have the same problem -- with a different icon!

    Here's what today's looks like:
    Strange, inert icon appearing on desktop-image.png
    How can I get rid of it?

    Thanks --

    -- Fred Goldrich
    Dell laptop
    Windows 10 Home, Version 1607, Build 14393.953
    Intel Core 15, 4 GB RAM
    Last edited by goldrich; 10 Apr 2017 at 13:12. Reason: Added system specs
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  3. lmaneke
    Posts : 564
    Windows 10 Pro x64 21H1
       New #2

    Makes me wonder if you have an app that may be malfunctioning and causing the issue.

    I would go to task manager, and click on the startup tab, and disable all the startup programs. Reboot and see if it appears. If it is gone, then start turning back on each program one at a time and reboot, basically a process of elimination.

    If disabling all programs doesn't work, try creating another user profile and see if the same icon appears.

    Odd issue.
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  4. goldrich
    Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    This time, after rebooting, it hasn't yet come back. I'm keeping an eye on the desktop to try to pin down just what sets it off.

    In the mean time, it would be great if someone just happened to recognize the icon!

    Thanks for your help. I'll post a follow-up as the situation develops.
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  6. Bree
    Posts : 31,622
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       New #4

    goldrich said:
    In the mean time, it would be great if someone just happened to recognize the icon!
    It looks like a horizontal mini scroll bar, available in the 'virtual scrolling' settings for a Synaptics touchpad, for example...

    ...There should be mouse setting to disable mini scrollbar in touchpad. This depends on the device manufacturer....
    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...b-43c1fac6d079
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  7. goldrich
    Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    That's a great hint, thanks! My laptop has a Synaptics touch pad, but I prefer to use my mouse. From time to time I touch the keypad -- either for convenience, or by accident because it sits between me and the keyboard!

    I'll keep an eye on that and see what I can figure out.
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