dead desktop icons

[chuckbowers]

My icons inexplicably die, and are immune to clicking and dragging. However, the identical apps open easily from the start menu. I purged spyware and adware as suggested in another post, but the problem remains. Help!!

 

[LeHaM]

You're pc just isn't locking/freezing up is it??
My pc locks up a lot which in tern kills my icons..

 

[davehc]

If you right click an icon, and select propeties, does it show the correct path?
If so, it looks like maybe your .lnk associate has been lost. You can get this back through some very extensive registry editing. But I have attached a .reg file which may help.
Unzip it and run it. You may need to restart the computer so that the registry can be read again.
As you have read so many time, it is wise to make a backup of your reg, before commiting any changes. If you do not know how to do this:
Type regedit in the Start.
Left click, in order to select the whole reg, Computer (At the top)
Open "File" and choose "Export"

Choose a suitable location and give the saved file a suitable name.
When and if you have problems, with any editing you do, always follow this procedure. Choose import, instead of export and the registry is restored to its stae before alterations.

 

[chuckbowers]

If you right click an icon, and select propeties, does it show the correct path?
If so, it looks like maybe your .lnk associate has been lost. You can get this back through some very extensive registry editing. But I have attached a .reg file which may help.
Unzip it and run it. You may need to restart the computer so that the registry can be read again.
As you have read so many time, it is wise to make a backup of your reg, before commiting any changes. If you do not know how to do this:
Type regedit in the Start.
Left click, in order to select the whole reg, Computer (At the top)
Open "File" and choose "Export"

Choose a suitable location and give the saved file a suitable name.
When and if you have problems, with any editing you do, always follow this procedure. Choose import, instead of export and the registry is restored to its stae before alterations.

Thanks. In trying your suggestions, i restarted and was surprised that the icons worked (properiies and all) - for a short while. Then they bogged down again. Does this tell us anything?

 

[acfalk]

If you right click an icon, and select propeties, does it show the correct path?
If so, it looks like maybe your .lnk associate has been lost. You can get this back through some very extensive registry editing. But I have attached a .reg file which may help.
Unzip it and run it. You may need to restart the computer so that the registry can be read again.
As you have read so many time, it is wise to make a backup of your reg, before commiting any changes. If you do not know how to do this:
Type regedit in the Start.
Left click, in order to select the whole reg, Computer (At the top)
Open "File" and choose "Export"

Choose a suitable location and give the saved file a suitable name.
When and if you have problems, with any editing you do, always follow this procedure. Choose import, instead of export and the registry is restored to its stae before alterations.

Dear Dave,
I appreciate your advise here was given almost four years ago, but nevertheless, I have a need of some help as I have six 'dead' icons on the desktop of my PC. None respond to right button, ie., show the correct path.
Your posted note mentions an attached .reg file. I don't see this file. Can you please repost. Thanks.
AC Falk
Stans, Switzerland
(e-mail address removed)

 

[TrainableMan]

acfalk, You could try the Windows Club Icon Cache Rebuilder but it sounds like this may be a bit more serious such as a screwed up registry or possibly a virus.

I suggest you scan for a virus:

Download TDSSKiller and RKill from our Freeware DB. If you do not have an anti-virus then download, install, and allow to update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM). Then reboot your system into safe mode without networking (Reboot and, when it says "Starting Windows," Press F8; If you get a message asking continue in safe mode or perform a system restore, choose continue in safe mode). Now run TDSSKiller and after that run RKill and after that run a full virus scan. The first two will take maybe 5 minutes each but a full virus scan can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on your hard drive size and number of files.

Booting in safe mode makes sure only minimal services/programs are started. TDSSKiller is designed specifically to look for rootkits. RKill is designed to stop the stealthing programs that hide/protect/regenerate some nasty viruses. Running these first will help ensure your A/V has the absolute best chance of cleaning up infected files.


But if it is not a virus and if icon cache rebuilder doesn't work, then my recommendation would be to back up your data & settings to an external hard drive with Windows Easy Transfer and then do a complete reinstall.