Office Icons are all missing/replaced by generic white icons

Anonymous
2010-08-03T08:01:12+00:00

For some reason all my office products (word, excel, outlook, access etc.) icons in the start menu and desktop task bar have all been replaced by the generic white icons.

I am unable to uninstall or repair this. I believe (from what I've read on the internet) that it is connected to the "C:\windows\installer" folder and the Office installer files.

Can this problem be solved without having to re-install windows ( as that is the only way I think its possible to be albe to reset the office suite).

Cheers,

Jurgens

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2011-09-24T16:39:18+00:00

I had the same issue as everyone here and I think I've FINALLY figured out a solution!

Go to c:/Program Files/Microsoft Office/Office 14

Right click on each program icon individually and unpin from BOTH your Taskbar and/or Start Menu. (e.g. EXCEL.EXE, MSACCESS.EXE, MSPUB.EXE, OUTLOOK.EXE, POWERPNT.EXE, WINWORD.EXE, etc.)

Then right click and select  "Pin to Start Menu" (not to Taskbar).

Do this for each program you want to eventually make it onto your Taskbar.

Now go to Start and then for each program (that should now show in start menu with the actual Microsoft Office icon), right click and select "Pin to Taskbar".

You can then Remove each one from the Start Menu if you wish by right clicking again and selecting "Remove from this List".

Your icons should now be back to their original format.

I've rebooted my system several times so far and the icons have remained.

Hopefully this will work for everyone else as well!

Good Luck!!!

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-07-24T19:24:17+00:00

    For some reason all my office products (word, excel, outlook, access etc.) icons in the start menu and desktop task bar have all been replaced by the generic white icons.

    I am unable to uninstall or repair this. I believe (from what I've read on the internet) that it is connected to the "C:\windows\installer" folder and the Office installer files.

    Can this problem be solved without having to re-install windows ( as that is the only way I think its possible to be albe to reset the office suite).

    Cheers,

    Jurgens

    Please let me speak to someone I would be able to explain my problems 

    I need help will you help me please

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-07-24T19:22:02+00:00

    For some reason all my office products (word, excel, outlook, access etc.) icons in the start menu and desktop task bar have all been replaced by the generic white icons.

    I am unable to uninstall or repair this. I believe (from what I've read on the internet) that it is connected to the "C:\windows\installer" folder and the Office installer files.

    Can this problem be solved without having to re-install windows ( as that is the only way I think its possible to be albe to reset the office suite).

    Cheers,

    Jurgens

    Please let me speak to someone I would be able to explain my problems

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2018-07-11T19:44:50+00:00

    Run a Quick Repair on your Microsoft  Office installation. This usually fixes your icons but if one still has no icon then right-click the file, Open With another program (check "do this with all .*** files). Close the file. Right-click the file again, choose Open With. Change this back to the correct Office app and make sure the check box is checked. This should fix the remaining icons.

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