Deleting thumbnail cache turns Windows Apps like Calculator, Settings and Microsoft Store into Blank Icons

Me when the 20 Reputation points
2026-08-15T02:38:21.7966667+00:00

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User's image as the title stated, this happened after i deleted thumbnail cache from the storage interface in settings. I've tried things like, deleting iconcache from explorer, running DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, restarting computer. Nothing works.

Help me find a solution pls, thx.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage
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Answer accepted by question author
TaoLi 111.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-08-15T12:11:14.1266667+00:00

Thanks for confirming. Since rebuilding the icon cache and re-registering the apps did not work, please continue with these steps:

Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

Go to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\IconHandler

Double-click (Default) and make sure the value is:

{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}

Then go to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}

Make sure (Default) is:

Shortcut

Open:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\InProcServer32

Make sure (Default) is:

C:\Windows\System32\windows.storage.dll

These are the values Microsoft documents for blank shortcut icons.

Restart the PC after correcting any wrong value.

If all three values are already correct, create a new Windows user account and sign into it to test the icons. Microsoft provides the account steps here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-signin/manage-user-accounts-in-windows

If the icons are also blank in the new account, I would stop changing caches or registry entries and perform an in-place repair installation of Windows 10:

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10

Download/create Windows 10 installation media, open the USB/ISO from inside Windows, run setup.exe, choose Change what to keep > Keep personal files and apps > Install. This reinstalls Windows system components without removing your installed programs or personal files.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-08-15T02:38:40.9433333+00:00

    This symptom matches a broken icon cache or an IconHandler registration problem for shortcuts and app icons.

    Since deleting IconCache.db and running DISM did not help, use this order:

    1. Clear the icon cache again using the documented method.
      • Save open work.
      • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
      • In Processes, right-click Windows Explorer > End task.
      • In Task Manager, select File > Run new task.
      • Type cmd.exe and create the task with administrative privileges.
      • Run: 
             CD /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local
     DEL IconCache.db /a
      • In Task Manager, select File > Run new task.
      • Type explorer.exe and press Enter.
    2. Re-register Shell Experience Host.
      • Open Windows PowerShell as administrator.
      • Run: 
             Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like "*ShellExperienceHost*"} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
      • Restart Windows.
    3. Check the IconHandler registry values.
      • Warning: registry changes can cause serious problems if done incorrectly. Back up the registry first.
      • Open Registry Editor.
      • Go to: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\IconHandler
        • Verify (Default) is {00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}.
      • Go to: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}
        • Verify (Default) is Shortcut.
      • Go to: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\InProcServer32
        • Verify (Default) is C:\Windows\System32\windows.storage.dll.
    4. If icons are still wrong, use an administrator account to delete the affected user profile’s IconCache.db.
      • This is recommended because the cache file can be overwritten with corrupted icon data during logoff if deleted from the same account.

    For the scenario shown, Step 2 is especially relevant because built-in apps such as Calculator, Settings, and Microsoft Store are affected.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. TaoLi 111.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-15T03:35:48.6866667+00:00

    Since clearing IconCache.db and DISM did not help, this is likely the Windows AppX registration/icon data rather than the normal icon cache.

    Open PowerShell normally ( Administrator) and run:

    
Get-AppxPackage | ForEach-Object {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

    Restart Windows afterward. Microsoft specifically recommends re-registering built-in/Store apps when their registration is damaged.

    If the icons are still blank, test with a new Windows user account. If they display correctly there, the issue is limited to the current user profile rather than Windows itself.

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