Rebuild the icon cache by ending Windows Explorer via Task Manager and running commands in an elevated Command Prompt to delete IconCache.db and restart Explorer. 2. If unresolved, manually delete all IconCache.db and iconcache_*.db files in C:\Users[YourUsername]\AppData\Local after enabling hidden files visibility, then restart. 3. Update graphics drivers through Device Manager or download the latest version from the manufacturer’s website. 4. Run sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt to repair corrupted system files. 5. Reset desktop icon settings by right-clicking the desktop, adjusting View options, or re-enabling icons in Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings, which resolves duplicate, missing, or corrupted icons caused by a corrupted icon cache or related system issues.

If your desktop icons in Windows 10 are showing up as duplicates, not displaying properly, or appear corrupted (like blank or generic icons), it’s usually due to a corrupted icon cache. The good news is this is a common and fixable issue. Here’s how to resolve it step by step.

1. Rebuild the Icon Cache (Most Common Fix)

Windows stores a cache of icons to load them faster. When this cache gets corrupted, icons may not display correctly. Rebuilding it usually fixes the problem.

Steps:

• Close File Explorer:

  • Press Ctrl Shift Esc to open Task Manager.
  • Find Windows Explorer under the Processes tab.
  • Right-click it and select End task. Your taskbar and desktop will disappear — this is normal.

• Open Command Prompt:

  
  • In Task Manager, go to File > Run new task.
  • Type cmd, check Create this task with administrative privileges, then click OK.

• Run these commands one by one (press Enter after each):

  taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
  cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local
  del IconCache.db /a
  start explorer.exe

• Wait a few seconds. Explorer will restart, and Windows will rebuild the icon cache automatically.

?? Note: If the IconCache.db file doesn’t delete immediately, make sure hidden files are visible and that no programs are using it. You can also try restarting and repeating the process.

2. Clear Additional Icon Cache Files (If the First Step Didn’t Work)

Sometimes, Windows creates multiple cache files. You may need to delete them manually.

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer and go to:

   C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local

   (Replace [YourUsername] with your actual user name.)

2. Delete all files starting with:

   • IconCache.db
   • iconcache_*.db (these are thumbnail caches for different DPI settings)

3. Restart your computer or restart Explorer via Task Manager.

4. Windows will recreate these files with fresh icons.

? Tip: To see these files, you must enable viewing of hidden items:

• In File Explorer, go to View > Options > Change folder and search options.
• Under the View tab, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives.

3. Check for Graphics Driver Issues

Corrupted or outdated graphics drivers can also cause display issues with icons.

What to do:

• Press Win X and select Device Manager.
• Expand Display adapters.
• Right-click your graphics card and choose Update driver.
• Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

If updating doesn’t help, visit your PC or GPU manufacturer’s website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) to download the latest driver.

4. Run System File Checker (SFC)

System file corruption could indirectly affect how icons are rendered.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

   • Press Win X > Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).

2. Type:

   sfc /scannow

3. Wait for the scan to complete (can take 15–20 minutes). If it finds and fixes corrupted system files, restart your PC.

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Bonus: Reset Desktop Icon Settings

If icons are misplaced or hidden:

• Right-click the desktop > View.
  • Make sure Auto arrange icons, Align to grid, and Show desktop icons are checked/unchecked as desired.
• Or go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings and re-enable any missing icons (like This PC, Recycle Bin).

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Most of the time, clearing the icon cache solves the problem. If not, combining it with driver updates and system checks usually gets things back to normal.

Basically, it's not serious — just a glitch Windows can’t always fix on its own.

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