Vista - Covered desktop icons

**John Hoffman** · 03-21-2009

This particular vista problem was solved for many people over a year ago, but after trying ALL of the suggestions, my desktop icons are still covered with the generic icons. I have increased the size of the original icons so I can get some work done, but the covers are still annoying.

The problem began when I installed the most recent automatic update for my OS from Microsoft last Thursday (03/19/09). I then took my machine back to a previous restore point, but the problem remained. I figured, "what the hell?," and put the updates back in place.

I am runing Vista Ultimate 64-bit on a Custom-built PC (2008) with a Q6700 CPU, 512 GT5800 video card, and 4 megs of DDR2 RAM. I fancy myself to be somewhat sophisticated, but this issue has kicked my ass for three days.

Thanks in advance for any further suggestions you may have.

John Hoffman
Oshkosh, WI

**Brink** · 03-21-2009

Hello John,

Can you post a screenshot of this to help see what may be the issue?

Thank you,
Shawn

**John Hoffman** · 03-21-2009

I don't have screenshot software available. I took a picture and here's the JPG.

**mansrm81** · 03-21-2009

Its the shortcut overlay arrow that is missing follow this tutorial to fix it.

Shortcut Arrow

**John Hoffman** · 03-21-2009

I appreciate your post. Unfortunately, while the program you suggested installed flawlessly, I got an error message when I tried to apply and exit. FML.

John Hoffman
Oshkosh, WI

**mansrm81** · 03-21-2009

Did you run the program with run as admin by right clicking on the shortcut.

**John Hoffman** · 03-21-2009

When I right-click on some of my desktop icons, such as MS Word, or Chessmaster, I get an extensive menu, including run as administrator. The Vista Icon program, when right-clicked, does not offer an option to run as an administrator. I went in and gave myself full control, but the same error message appeared when I tried to apply changes.

**John Hoffman** · 03-21-2009

I went off to see what Mr. Bill's Vista page (Official Microsoft web site) had to offer. One of the viewers had suggested using WinBubble ( WinBubble 1.76, "Customization and Tweaks, Not Just for Geek's But For ALL" - UnlockForUs ). I tried this, and it worked! Praise Jeebus! Pass it on! The software seems more sophisticated than TweakUI, but that's only my opinion.

**Brink** · 03-21-2009

I'm happy that you got it sorted John. Did you try Method Two first at that link before the program that worked?

**John Hoffman** · 03-21-2009

I tried solution #2, but the process did not care to co-operate for me. I was seriously considering living with messed-up icons! Mr. Bill's solution worked for me on the first shot. I even removed TweakUI from my drive. Thanks for your coaching, because it motivated me to keep plugging until something worked!

John Hoffman
Oshkosh, WI

03-21-2009	#1 (permalink)
John Hoffman Vista Ultimate X64 11 posts	Covered desktop icons This particular vista problem was solved for many people over a year ago, but after trying ALL of the suggestions, my desktop icons are still covered with the generic icons. I have increased the size of the original icons so I can get some work done, but the covers are still annoying. The problem began when I installed the most recent automatic update for my OS from Microsoft last Thursday (03/19/09). I then took my machine back to a previous restore point, but the problem remained. I figured, "what the hell?," and put the updates back in place. I am runing Vista Ultimate 64-bit on a Custom-built PC (2008) with a Q6700 CPU, 512 GT5800 video card, and 4 megs of DDR2 RAM. I fancy myself to be somewhat sophisticated, but this issue has kicked my ass for three days. Thanks in advance for any further suggestions you may have. John Hoffman Oshkosh, WI
My System Specs

03-21-2009	#2 (permalink)
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 26,035 posts	Re: Covered desktop icons Hello John, Can you post a screenshot of this to help see what may be the issue? Thank you, Shawn
My System Specs

03-21-2009	#3 (permalink)
John Hoffman Vista Ultimate X64 11 posts	Re: Covered desktop icons I don't have screenshot software available. I took a picture and here's the JPG. Attached Thumbnails
My System Specs

03-21-2009	#4 (permalink)
mansrm81 Vista Ultimate 64bit SP2/ 1,863 posts	Re: Covered desktop icons Its the shortcut overlay arrow that is missing follow this tutorial to fix it. Shortcut Arrow
My System Specs

03-21-2009	#5 (permalink)
John Hoffman Vista Ultimate X64 11 posts	Re: Covered desktop icons I appreciate your post. Unfortunately, while the program you suggested installed flawlessly, I got an error message when I tried to apply and exit. FML. John Hoffman Oshkosh, WI
My System Specs

03-21-2009	#6 (permalink)
mansrm81 Vista Ultimate 64bit SP2/ 1,863 posts	Re: Covered desktop icons Did you run the program with run as admin by right clicking on the shortcut.
My System Specs

03-21-2009	#7 (permalink)
John Hoffman Vista Ultimate X64 11 posts	Re: Covered desktop icons When I right-click on some of my desktop icons, such as MS Word, or Chessmaster, I get an extensive menu, including run as administrator. The Vista Icon program, when right-clicked, does not offer an option to run as an administrator. I went in and gave myself full control, but the same error message appeared when I tried to apply changes. Last edited by John Hoffman; 03-21-2009 at 12:37 PM.. Reason: bad typo
My System Specs

03-21-2009	#8 (permalink)
John Hoffman Vista Ultimate X64 11 posts	Re: Covered desktop icons I went off to see what Mr. Bill's Vista page (Official Microsoft web site) had to offer. One of the viewers had suggested using WinBubble ( WinBubble 1.76, "Customization and Tweaks, Not Just for Geek's But For ALL" - UnlockForUs ). I tried this, and it worked! Praise Jeebus! Pass it on! The software seems more sophisticated than TweakUI, but that's only my opinion.
My System Specs

03-21-2009	#9 (permalink)
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 26,035 posts	Re: Covered desktop icons I'm happy that you got it sorted John. Did you try Method Two first at that link before the program that worked?
My System Specs

03-21-2009	#10 (permalink)
John Hoffman Vista Ultimate X64 11 posts	Re: Covered desktop icons I tried solution #2, but the process did not care to co-operate for me. I was seriously considering living with messed-up icons! Mr. Bill's solution worked for me on the first shot. I even removed TweakUI from my drive. Thanks for your coaching, because it motivated me to keep plugging until something worked! John Hoffman Oshkosh, WI
My System Specs

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