Rebuilt iconcache.db new icons still white

Suddenly one day the icons on my desktop and laptop were white. I thought perhaps a virus or malware and installed malwarebytes. My laptop and desktop both have the issue and a third computer I was working on to try to fix the icon issue. I already had Bitdefender installed. Running Malwarebytes I found one issue, I researched the icon issue and ran the following:
"ie4uinit.exe -show
taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
DEL /A /Q "%localappdata%\IconCache.db"
DEL /A /F /Q "%localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\iconcache*"
DEL /F /S /Q "%localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\localstate\AppIconCache\*.*"
shutdown /r /f /t 00"
Unfortunately when I create a new icon or use a URL to create an icon on my desktop it still is an incomplete in the way it looks. Usually when one creates a link say from Malwarebytes the icon will reflect the source. The link works but there is something preventing it from being created properly. Thank you in advance for any advice in how to repair without reinstalling Windows. That's my next step and really don't want to do that!

 

Something is VERY WRONG if you suddenly have 3 computers with the same corruption problem.

Were Windows and Bitdefender fully updated prior to the problem?

What did Malwarebytes find? FTR, I like and use Malwarebytes on all our computers here, in addition to their primary security solution, as a double checker. However, Malwarebytes occasionally labels innocent/safe items as "issues" when they are not. These "false positives" are what Malwarebytes typically claims is them just being cautious and want users to verify all is good. Its annoying but better safe than sorry. For example, Malwarebytes frequently calls 2 wanted and safe programs on my systems as "PUPs" (potentially unwanted programs).

In any case, a false positive (calling something safe as suspicious/malicious) is way WAY better than a "false negative" (failing to identify a malicious file or malicious activity as bad.

I don't blame you for not wanting to reinstall Windows. There are so many potential problems with doing that beyond the fact (unless you backed everything up) you lose all your installed programs and personal files. But also, reinstalling often does not fix the problem and when it does, you typically don't learn what caused the issue in the first place, or how to prevent it from recurring. I have also seen where the reinstall works, but then the issue returns when the user restores all their backed up programs and personal files.

And the fact is, unless your whole network is infected (and I doubt that), with this happening on multiple computers it would seem it is something you or another user of these computers are doing.

I would try to rebuild the cache again. However, instead of messing with command prompts, I use Winaero Tweaker. I have been using this neat little tool for 10+ years with never an issue. The feature in Winaero is called "Reset Icon Cache" (just search for "reset" to locate it quickly). What is nice about Winaero Tweaker is when you double-click on the Tool, it tells you exactly what it is going to do and lets you see how it works before you actually tell it to Reset Icon Cache.

If still no luck, from an elevated command prompt, run system file check by entering the command sfc /scannow.

 

My apologies for not replying sooner. I see warnings about using Winaero Tweaker. I did use malwarebytes and found "PUP". Deleted that and have since uninstalled the s/w. I usually only use an antivirus and has worked for a long time. I'll investigate the WT again but for now will just live with white icons. I will probably rebuild my system and go from there. Will also make sure all my data is scanned as well. Thank you!!

 

And yes Windows and bitdefender were both updated...thanks...

 

Name just about anything and I can find warnings against using it. Don't believe it? Google bitdefender bsod or malwarebytes crashing windows 10.

You've been around this site a long time, Barb. I've been around, as a member of the WindowsBBS Team, helping posters fix their computer problems even longer!!! I am sure you've seen me about. I would not suggest a tool haphazardly, or still be on the Team if I gave bad advice.

I know that some immediately put up their walls when they hear "tweak". This is why, just to ease potential doubts, I specifically went into detail about Winaero to illustrate (1) that I've been using it for years without issue, and (2) how it works. That is why I specifically said,

Not all tweaker tools are alike.

Winaero Tweaker suffers from the same misinformation and rumormongering as CCleaner does. Uninformed people hear CCleaner and immediately think registry cleaner and conclude it is therefore evil. Nonsense! Not all registry cleaners are alike either. Neither tool would still be around nearly 15 years and more than 20 years respectively if they posed the risks some want us to believe they do.

Ironically, the method you used in your first post is actually dangerous!!! Why? Because the potential for input/syntax errors while using the command prompt is many times greater than anything Winaero Tweaker does. Winaero not only lets you see what's going to happen before you initiate an option, it eliminates the potential of typos. AND, on top of that, it even lets you undo any changes with its reset features. There is no undo with command prompt entries. You hit enter and its done. And there is no way to back our unless you know exactly what file was deleted (assuming you have a copy to restore it with), what setting was changed and how it was changed.

I am not saying to never use the command prompt. I use it often and even suggested it above with SFC. But if there is a tool that makes changes and, more importantly, safer, I use, and recommend that instead.

Good luck.

 

Thank you and sorry again for not responding more quickly. I've made no progress. I did use Winaero and the problem still exists. What you said about using the command lines makes sense however that's water under the bridge. I may rebuild my system if it bothers me enough but not right away. When I do my data is all on external drives except for whatever I've stored on my C: drive and it's not too much and that's backed up as well. My pictures are on Amazon Photos with unlimited storage connected to a prime account. I am also going to establish an account in the cloud so I should have everything covered to save my data. I believe the problem was a result of an update. It's happened before Redirecting. Thanks again for all your insight.

 

Sorry that did not help. Did you try SFC?

 

Yes. I'll rebuild windows. Appreciate your time and energy!

 

Is there perhaps a registry fix to alleviate reinstalling the OS?

 

Yes for most icons I changed I can see the full chrome icon. If I select it the icon will change to the Chrome icon. I could easily live with it the way it is and yet I'd prefer to fix this if possible.