Broken icons for native Windows app search


  1. Posts : 18
    Windows 10
       #1

    Broken icons for native Windows app search


    I'm having an odd problem that when I search for native (!) Microsoft apps from the start menu, the result presents with a broken icon. I say "native", because this happens with "Settings" and "Clock", but not with "Excel".

    However, this problem does manifest itself if partial names are typed. See screenshots/examples below.

    I'm running on Win 10 Pro - 21H2 - Build 19044.1865.

    If I search for Settings/Clock, I get the following broken icons:

    Broken icons for native Windows app search-s1.png

    Broken icons for native Windows app search-s2.png

    I do know though that the icon is there, because I can right-click the (broken) icon and Pin-to-Start, and it appears fine--as it does in the Start menu:

    Broken icons for native Windows app search-p1.png

    Broken icons for native Windows app search-p2.png

    However, other searches for non-native/Windows apps work fine:

    Broken icons for native Windows app search-s3.png

    BUT, it seems that in some cases, the icon is broken if there's a small, partial match, but the icon presents itself when there is a more complete match:

    Broken icons for native Windows app search-s4.1.png

    Broken icons for native Windows app search-s4.2.png

    I have tried a lot of things to try to fix this.

    I read somewhere that Google Drive might be a culprit, so I uninstalled that (though I need it for work) but continue to have the issue.

    I've read about deleting the icons from the iconcahe (%homepath%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer)--that was without success.

    I've tried to restore the system health with:

    dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
    sfc /scannow


    I've also tried:

    Win-R
    ie4uinit -show


    No luck. In all cases, I've done a restart after each attempt.

    I've run out of ideas short of a full reinstall.

    One thing that might be a culprit is that I think this problem may have started when I plugged my laptop to use my external monitor. However, I can't be sure, and even if I use my laptop in stand-alone mode, I still get these broken icons.

    Thinking this might have been the culprit, I tried--without success--to go to a restore point before I ever plugged it into the external monitor and continued to have the same issue whether I was plugged into the external monitor or not.

    What's going on, why, and any ideas on how to fix it?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, presently only 1 thing occurs that may provide a little more information:

    You have attempted general system repairs with no success.

    Please create a completely new user for test purposes. Log in as that user. Do you see the same problem?
    If not, the problem is user account/confguration specific and general system repairs will not help.
    If you do, two possibilities follow:
    a. the same 3rd party program or setting is having the same effect
    b. it is a general Windows issue which a general repair may or may not fix

    In the last case you could try an in-place upgrade repair install, but no guarantees.

    Do you have either
    - a System Restore point created before this happened? (I have one created daily on schedule- tutorial available)
    - a recent disk image you can use to restore your sytem to a previous good state? E.g. Macrium Reflect / Aomei Backupper - free/paid - + large enough external storage for image files?

    The routine use of disk imaging is endlessly recommended- allow you to recover even if your imaged disk fails- and can save so much of your and someone else's time

    This excellent free tweaker with full explanation (overlaps many tenforums tutorials) offers:
    Broken icons for native Windows app search-1.jpg

    Search index: you could try rebuilding that:
    Rebuild Search Index in Windows 10
    but that's only a thought - I've not seen this problem before.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 18
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for the suggestions @dalchina.

    BUT... I just figured it out. I mentioned above that I thought this had something to do with me attaching an external display. Turns out that was the culprit.

    Something happens with the scaling of the icons on different resolutions.

    I found two sources that were helpful and with some constant trying, I was able to resolve the issue: By going into Settings -> Display -> Scale and Layout, and changing the the "size of text, apps, and other items" by one notch (25%) up or down, and then back, it fixes the issue.

    In researching this problem, I found two solutions that suggested the same, here:

    - The 2nd answer here: Some Windows 10 UWP icons not displaying on search, or in settings - Super User

    And the 2nd method here: Fix: Icons not showing Correctly in Windows 10 Search - Appuals.com (I'm pasting the solution here in case that article is ever nuked):

    Broken icons for native Windows app search-sol1.png
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    Thanks, the icon scaling approach is curious. Glad you found a fix.

    Please note the important backup approaches I mentioned.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 18
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I've got it on my list to research this weekend. Thanks.

    > - a System Restore point created before this happened? (I have one created daily on schedule- tutorial available)

    I'd love a pointer to this please.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    Broken icons for native Windows app search-1.jpg
    Broken icons for native Windows app search-2.jpg
    Broken icons for native Windows app search-3.jpg
      My Computers


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:42.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums