Wrong or missing program icons in windows 7 start menu

A quick summarization of the suggestions in the thread:

Dena B:

If the icons show properly using another user account, it is possible your user profile has been corrupted.  Try the steps in this document to fix your profile.

geniefleer:

I fixed my icons by navigating to the .exe files for each program and creating desktop shortcuts from them instead of from the start menu.

Tom_SE7EN:

Yep, I've added some folders to the start menu to sort it by application type and to keep it small. Now if you have shortcuts where no path to the corresponding .exe file is given and moving it to another location the shortcut will loose its icon. You can circumvent this behaviour: Reboot the OS before moving any shortcuts. After a reboot you can move the shortcuts without loosing their icons.

Syn-Tzu:

Sending a shortcut to desktop then moving it to your desired folder works great to fix this.  But sometimes the problem is worse.  I've notice that on some programs, for whatever reason, after they are installed, the .exe loses it's icon.  This has happend to me for programs in both 'Program Files' and 'Program Files (x86)'.  I have found a solution but it requires some knowledge of Resource hacking.  You'll need either 'Reshacker' or 'Restorator'.  Run one of those programs and navigate to the .exe of the program that's lost it's icon (shows generic icon instead).  Open up the icon resource and extract the program icon and save it somewhere as an .ico.  Then use the assign option (Restorator) and assign the icon back to the .exe.  Complicated for some but those who know how to resource hack will get this.  Worked for me.  I installed both Adobe PS CS3 and CS5 and both lost their icons.  This solution fixed them both.

the real h4m33d:

i have the same problem in win 7 64.  i think i've found the problem and a solution.  when a program installs for all users and you then move the start menu folders, it moves the folders to your local user account start menu.  if you move the folders to the same place for all users (instead of just you), you can then go into the shortcut and fix the icon and the icons will show up.

artnoir:

I found a solution for this. At least it worked for me (win 7 x64).

First, open Notepad and paste the below code:

taskkill /F /IM explorer.exe

cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local

attrib –h IconCache.db

del IconCache.db

start explorer

save the file as a .bat file on your desktop.

Then open explorer and navigate to C:\users\username\appdata\local\ (make sure you've select to view hidden folders) and delete IconCache.db.

Lastly, double click on the .bat file that you saved on your desktop and all icons should be restored.

Unonemuous:

I too came across this issue after renaming a folder which contained icons, weird things was only 3 out of the 20 icons were missing. I solved the problem by deleting the file:

C:\Users<User Profile>\AppData\Local\IconCache.db

Hope this helps someone...

Brien Malone:

I had this problem only with VLC and I'm running Windows 7 32-bit, so I'm not sure why some posters are blaming Windows for this. I didn't change or copy any files related to VLC after installation, so I'm not sure what caused the problem.

My IconCache.db wasn't locked by any processes, so I just renamed it and restarted explorer.exe. No batch file needed. Worked perfectly!

Skoobie Du:

A slightly better version, IMO, is the following:

@Echo Off

PushD %LocalAppData%

TaskKill /f /im explorer.exe

Del /a:h IconCache.db > nul 2>&1

Start explorer.exe

PopD

The PushD and PopD commands allow you to run the batch file from the command prompt without having to change back to your previous directory manually. I also removed the need for the Attrib command. Your version will work, so nothing against it.

Nisei:

Thanks for the solution artnoir but I think you've found this somewhere else?

What you're describing is actually twice the same thing, except that one is manual and the other really simple.

You don't need to delete the IconCache.db file manually, that's what the bat file is for. So just copy/paste the lines in notepad, save as [name].bat and double click that file whenever you want to refresh the icons. No need to make hidden folders visible etc.

It might be worth your time looking over the thread in case I missed out on any other suggestions or tips that might help resolve your issue.  *If none of the above help, it is probably best for you to create your own thread.*Not only will a new thread give your question more attention to the community, but it will allow you to control which suggestions are marked as answers. 

Be sure to include all necessary information that will help with diagnosing your particular issue, including but not limited to: PC make & model, PC specifications, OS type, a description of what led to the problem you are facing, what steps you have taken in trying to resolve the issue, etc. .  The more specific and detailed you can be, the better it will help with providing you valuable suggestions for troubleshooting your conundrum.

I am going ahead and locking this thread.  Thanks to all of those who helped out with their suggestions!

 

 

I found a solution for this. At least it worked for me (win 7 x64).

 

First, open Notepad and paste the below code:

 

taskkill /F /IM explorer.exe

cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local

attrib –h IconCache.db

del IconCache.db

start explorer

save the file as a .bat file on your desktop.

Then open explorer and navigate to C:\users\username\appdata\local\ (make sure you've select to view hidden folders) and delete IconCache.db.

 

Lastly, double click on the .bat file that you saved on your desktop and all icons should be restored.

work #1 Thanks

Thanks so much for this - it worked brilliantly for me. None of the other entries here were any use.