Icons change incorrectly in Windows

Article ID: 2396571
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Important Before you run this the Fix It, save your data, and close the application. After you run the Fix It, your computer will restart after 10 minutes.
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SYMPTOMS

Some icons in the following locations are randomly changed to other icons on a computer that is running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7:
  • My Computer
  • Windows Explorer
  • Desktop
  • Quick Launch bar
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CAUSE

This issue occurs because the icon cache is not updated correctly.
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RESOLUTION

Diagnose and fix the problem automatically

The Diagnose and repair Windows File and Folder Problems automatically troubleshooter may automatically fix the problem described in this article.
This troubleshooter fixes many problems.Learn moreRun now

Let me fix it myself

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
322756
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ )
How to back up and restore the registry in Windows


To fix this problem, follow these steps:
  1. Close all open windows if a Close Open Programs Interaction dialog box is displayed.
  2. Create the Max Cached Icons registry key and set the value of that key to 2048. To do this, follow these steps:

    1. Click Start and type Regedit in the Search box and click Regedit from the list
    2. Locate and click to select the following key in the registry:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer
    3. On the Edit menu, click New, and then click String Value
    4. Type MaxCachedIcons for the registry key name and press Enter on the keyboard
    5. Double-click on the Max Cached Icons registry key and type 2048 in the Value data: box and then click OK
    6. Close the Registry Editor

  3. Delete IconCache.db thats located in the following path:

    Windows XP
    %userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data
    Windows Vista or Windows 7
    %userprofile%\AppData\Local
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MORE INFORMATION

How the MATS package works to fix this problem

Click here to understand how the MATS package works to fix this problem

Other issues that the MATS package fixes

2394521
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2394521/ )
Can't empty the Recycle Bin in Windows XP or in Windows Vista
949109
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949109/ )
"The file or folder does not exist" error in Windows Vista
934160
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/934160/ )
"Network or file permission" or "folder does not exist" error
2394740
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2394740/ )
Can't select multiple items after upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista
813711
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/813711/ )
Changes to the size, view, icon or position of a folder are lost
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Properties

Article ID: 2396571 - Last Review: June 28, 2012 - Revision: 17.0
Keywords: 
kbtshoot kbprb kbexpertisebeginner kbexpertiseinter kbsurveynew kbmatsfixme KB2396571
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