Icons are missing on my desktop?

Question

I have a windows 7 laptop. A few days ago I shut it down and when i turned it on the next morning over half of my icons on my desktop had disappeared. The places they used to be in had a gap so my recycle bin was in the top left corner with a full row of blank spaces underneath it. Next to that row was all my microsoft office programs. I dont know how to get the icons back. I have tried the right-click, view and I have ticked the box to 'show desktop icons' but still no change. The program icons which are missing are still on my laptop and I can access them via the start menu. Everything else works fine, it is just this problem. What do I do?
Thanks very much.

Answer 1

This could be a glitch in your file system or your computer running a cleanup operation. Windows may clear what it deems to be unused icons from your desktop. Unlike older versions of Windows, 7 does not allow you to alter how this process works. Alternatively, this process may be triggered by a third party program installed by you or your computer manufacturer.



To get icons back, just drag the program link from the start menu to your desktop. Think about making a folder in your documents to store your desktop shortcuts in so it is easier to resolve should it happen again.



Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Verify that you do not have a virus. One of the viruses that is causing havoc this year is one that hides icons on the desktop.



Try to "View Hidden Files and Folders".



Go to My Computer. At the top, go to Tools > Folder Options (If you're on W7 or Vista, you may have to press the ALT key to display the menu).

Select the View Tab, in Folder Options.

In the Center, find the option that says "Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives" and choose it. Click apply.



If you can see your icons; you have a virus that hid your files.



I would scan with Malwarebytes (www.google.com) and CCleaner to start removing the virus.

Answer 3

...try the recycle bin if it might be there, it might be accidentally deleted,, or if you know the program/ program provider, you can find the original icons under "program files" in the c: drive,, don't move these icons rather just create a shortcut on the desktop,

or you can also find them in the start menu,,

...if not you can use system restore to undo the changes made to your computer but you have to first check for programs that can be affected during the process,,

...else, it might be other problems concerning your pc, might be a virus, or others,,

Answer 4

First, attempt restarting the computer. Wait. a protracted time. Like 10-quarter-hour. If it would not load like familiar, do your CTRL-ALT-DELETE ingredient, yet rather of working your classes at as quickly as, interior the Run container style (without expenditures) "explorer". Wait lower back. it would practice each little thing as familiar; it may open My records. Restart the computer. If it nonetheless does it, i'm sorry yet i'm baffled. a minimum of you know the thank you to get on your laptop by ability of calling explorer at as quickly as. I do have a feeling that in case you wait it is going to end what that's doing. now and lower back once you install a clean software, it would desire to configure it. this would take a protracted time and provides no seen comments, this is why i propose you to attend. desire it works!