Icons Overlaid - Windows 10 Pro 21H1

Hello again,

Ovrnight most of my desktop icons have been overlaid with a 'no icon' icon/file or clipboard-type icon.

The Desktop Restore programme does nothing - the overlays remain.

These are on all icons except apparently the Microsoft ones like Recycle Bin, Control Panel etc.

How can I fix this untidy mess ?

( Windows 10 Pro 21H1)

Regards

Jim.

dalchina said:

Please post a screenshot thus:


Many times when this sort of thing is posted the cause is related to one of
- backup programs
- synchronisation issues
- encryption

Certain things like Onedrive, for example, use a set of different overlays.

A little research on the type of symbol (which I can't see) usually helps.

I am trying to attach an expanded section of the desktop screen:

clip.jpg

Many thanks for your reply.

Regards

Jim

dalchina said:

Thanks. I notice you have something there called Bart Backup.

Do you use any other encryption, backup or synchronisation tools as I mentioned previously?

Have any of these just been installed or activated, or uninstalled or deactivated?

Did you have any such overlays previously that were not blank, i.e. were meaningful symbols?

A more likely possibility that your shortcut arrow icon has been corrupted. See
Please Wait... | Cloudflare
White 'File' icon showing over top of normal desktop icon - Windows 10 Forums

That put me on the right track, where I discovered the overlay was due to a corrupted arrow overlay.

Used WinAeroTweaker to restore to shortcut arrow then no arrow. Who needs the arrow? !

Thank you for your suggestions.

Regards to All

Jim