Program icons not showing properly but display a blank sheet of paper

Lasky · 30 Jan 2019

Hello...

I have recently just built a new PC and found that my .exe files are not showing thier icons in "Explorer" but do show when I click properties. I am not sure what is going on, but from Windows seven threads of a similar nature, it is because of the icon cache being corrupt. but this is a new installation, and cant be...

What is causing this and how do I fix it? Here is a screenshot to show what I mean...

Does anyone know what could be causing this and how to fix it?

Thanks.

UPDATE:

And it is happening to more and more programs, slowly all vanishing, this is FRUSTRATING!

dalchina · 31 Jan 2019

Hi, you might try the exe reg file in the table here - the file includes
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\DefaultIcon]
@="%1"
Restore Default File Type Associations in Windows 10 | Tutorials

Reset icon cache:
How to Fix Blank Icons on Windows 10?

On another track: comments following the delete icon cache database text give a trick using Stardock software.
https://www.mydigitallife.net/fix-bl...ns-on-desktop/

Lasky · 31 Jan 2019

dalchina, I think I have managed to narrow it down to the instant I install Norton Security on my PC. After this, they all start going funny, just like in the images I posted above.

dalchina · 01 Feb 2019

And have you tried uninstalling it, or checking related reports?

A good way to protect yourself is to use disk imaging. Create a base disk image as soon as possible after a clean install, then e.g. differential images at documented intervals as you install programs and make configuration changes. That way you can go back to a defined point by restoring an image, then repeat your list of actions, and thus hopefully identify the cause of a problem.

Lasky · 01 Feb 2019

Turns out that it was not Norton.

I am lost as to what it could be.

dalchina · 01 Feb 2019

Try creating a new user for test purposes. If you see the same problem logged in as that user, it's a Windows issue. If not, it's related to your user profile.

Lasky · 01 Feb 2019

This is the point here, I did create a new user, I am not sure why, but they appeared to be working again. I did an "sfc /scannow" command and no violations were found. I did it three times!