Before moving on with the solutions, make sure to uninstall any shortcut managing application (like Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor). Moreover, check if the problematic files/folders are not backed up to a tape device (that may take some time to complete). Furthermore, make sure that your system, backup drive, and cloud storage has enough space available. You may try if any of the following workarounds resolve the issue:
Solution 1: Change the Folder Options of Your System
There are different folder options on your system that can trigger the current icons issue. In this context, changing the folder options may solve the problem.
Enable/Disable Desktop Icons
Enable Hidden Items
Restart Explorer from the Task Manager
Solution 2: Edit the Power Settings of Your Network Card
The grey X’s on the icons could be caused by the wrong configuration of the power settings of your network card as it can suspend different network (especially cloud services) related operations and thus cause the issue. In this scenario, changing the power settings of your network card may solve the problem.
Solution 3: Change the File/Folder Permissions
The icons issue could be a result of invalid permissions and editing the files/folders permissions may solve the problem. Warning: Proceed with caution as editing the files/folders permission can cause some serious issues for you. If not, then check if changing a default app for any of the problematic files/folders resolve the issue.
Solution 4: Delete the IconCache Files
The icons may show grey X’s if the icon cache of your system is corrupt. In this case, rebuilding the Icon Cache may solve the problem. But keep in mind this may impact computer performance till the icon caches are rebuilt and indexed. If the issue is still there, then you may try the undermentioned commands to solve the problem. But make sure to close down all other applications as your system will immediately restart after these commands.
Solution 5: Edit the Overlay Applications
The issue could a result of a conflict between the overlay applications (mainly the cloud services) to run their respective icons’ overlays. In this context, editing the overlay applications or removing the conflicting ones may solve the problem. It is practically impossible to cover-up all the scenarios, so, we will only discuss some applications for illustration and you have to take similar steps with the application you are using. But before trying any of the under mentioned steps make sure all the applications (Dropbox, Boxcryptoer, Carbonite, OneDrive, Google Backup & Syne, etc.) are updated.
Pause and Resume Sync (OneDrive):
Disable File Sync Status (Norton)
If not, then check if removing the desktop from the backup of your cloud application resolves the issue.
Disable Files On-Demand (OneDrive)
Repair/Reset the Installation (Malwarebytes)
If not, then check if resetting the OneDrive resolves the issue.
Reconnecting and Reinstalling Cloud Applications (OneDrive)
If not, then you may have to repeat the same with other cloud applications. If the issue persists, then you may have to uninstall all the cloud storage and then install one by one (till you find the problematic one).
Solution 6: Use the Registry Edits
If none of the solutions has resolved the icons issue so far, then some registry edits may let you solve the problem. Warning: Advance at your own risk as editing your system’s registry requires a certain level of knowledge/proficiency and if done wrong, you may cause undying damage to your data/system. Launch the Registry Editor with administrative privileges and make the following edits one by one to check if that resolves the issue. Before moving on with the edits, make sure to back up your system’s registry.
Set Shell Icons Value to the Defaults:
Force Autoreconnect of Offline Files:
Reinitialize the Cached Offline Files:
Rename/Remove the ShellIconsOverlays:
If the issue persists, check if creating another user profile resolves the issue. If not, then use Autoruns to check which of the application is causing the issue or you may try a 3rd party application to manage the shortcut icons.
