How to clear the Windows Icon Cache on Windows 10 or Windows 8.x

Follow this procedure to clear and rebuild the icon cache in Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or Windows 8:
  1. Close all applications that are currently open.
  2. Click Start and search for Command Prompt
  3. Right-click Command Prompt in the results list and select Run as administrator
  4. At the command-prompt, carefully type or copy and past the following command and press Enter:
    taskkill /f /im explorer.exe NOTE: This action will end the Windows Explorer process, which will result in a black screen. Do not be alarmed as this will only be temporary.
  5. At the command-prompt, carefully type or copy and past the following command and press Enter:
    del %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\iconcache*
  6. At the command-prompt, carefully type or copy and past the following command and press Enter:
    explorer.exe This command will restart Windows Explorer.
  7. Close the Command Prompt
THIS ARTICLE APPLIES TO:
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 8.1
  • Windows 8

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