How to Repair Windows XP Icons

Windows XP displays the wrong icons for programs, files and folders when its icon cache is corrupted.

Windows XP's icon cache can become corrupted. Icons could randomly change into different icons or become completely blank. Fortunately, Windows XP automatically recreates the icon cache when the color depth of the display is changed. Thus, you can repair broken Windows XP icons by changing the display's color depth setting.

Instructions

1. Open the "Display Properties" window by right-clicking the Windows XP desktop, then clicking "Properties."

2. Click the "Settings" tab at the top of the "Display Properties" window.

3. Click the box under "Color Quality" in the "Display Properties" window and click a new setting. For example, click "Medium (16 bit)" if the current setting is "Highest (32 bit)."

4. Apply your changes by clicking "Apply."

5. Click "Yes" when prompted by the "Do You Want to Keep These Settings?" dialog.

6. Click the box under "Color Quality" in the "Display Properties" window and click the original setting. For example, click "Highest (32 bit)" if it was the original setting.

7. Apply your changes by clicking "Apply."

8. Click "Yes" to the "Do You Want to Keep These Settings?" prompt.

9. Close the "Display Properties" window by clicking "OK."

References

• Microsoft Support: Icons Randomly Change to Different Icons