Windows 10 Update KB5099539 changed my start menu icons to gray squares and list apps to white. No Icons.

Question

Windows 10 Update KB5099539 changed my start menu icons to gray squares and list apps to white. No Icons.

Thomas Snyder 20

Screen Shot 07-27-26 at 02.30 PM

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Answer accepted by question author

John DeV 170.1K Independent Advisor

Hi, good day!

To help narrow down the cause, could you please confirm whether this started immediately after installing KB5099539? Also, do the correct icons still appear on your desktop or in File Explorer, or is the issue limited to the Start menu?

I look forward to receiving your update and I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue. Do keep me informed by clicking "Add comment" below.

Thomas Snyder 20 Reputation points

2026-07-27T21:52:29.2066667+00:00

Yes, immediately after installing update KB5099539. Installed 7/15/2026.

Correct Icons still appear on desktop. I ran Rebuild_Icon_Cache.bat a few times and that did not fix the icons on the start menu. Icons are correct in my User files. The Icons are not correct in Programs files.

Another problem is "Open File Location" for shortcuts in the Start Menu List in Windows Explorer does not work. Cannot find a way to reinstall or reregister Windows Explorer.

4 additional answers

Your answer

Thomas Snyder 20 Reputation points

2026-07-27T21:52:29.2066667+00:00

Yes, immediately after installing update KB5099539. Installed 7/15/2026.

Correct Icons still appear on desktop. I ran Rebuild_Icon_Cache.bat a few times and that did not fix the icons on the start menu. Icons are correct in my User files. The Icons are not correct in Programs files.

Another problem is "Open File Location" for shortcuts in the Start Menu List in Windows Explorer does not work. Cannot find a way to reinstall or reregister Windows Explorer.

Answer 1

Thomas Snyder 20

Using MBR not UEFI boot loader. Tried reinstalling Windows 10 22H2 from USB disk and ISO file CD. Neither will install.

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Answer 2

Thomas Snyder 20

Cannot uninstall the Update. Deleted the Software Distribution file.

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Answer 3

Thomas Snyder 20

Yes this started immediately after installing KB5099539, 7/15/2026.

Yes, the correct icons still appear on desktop. Screen Shot 07-27-26 at 05.40 PM

0 comments

Answer 4

Since the issue started immediately after installing KB5099539, I recommend uninstalling the update to see if it resolves the problem. If the Start menu icons and "Open file location" function return to normal after removing the update, it would strongly suggest the update triggered the issue.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/updates-lifecycle/how-to-uninstall-a-windows-update

If uninstalling the update fixes it, please report the problem through the Feedback Hub app so Microsoft can investigate. In the meantime, you can temporarily pause Windows Update to prevent KB5099539 from reinstalling automatically until a fix or revised update is available.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/updates-lifecycle/pause-updates-in-windows

Please let us know whether uninstalling the update resolves the issue.