OS Issue : Windows 7 Taskbar pinned applications icon corruption

13. May 2009, 10:30 PM

The problem that existed in the Windows 7 beta, where the icons for applications pinned to the Taskbar could become corrupted, has been carried through to the release candidate. Despite claims on some sites that the corruption occurs every three days, it appears to be random in nature. The only icons that appear to be unaffected are those associated with Office 2007.

Icon cache corruption problems have been present in Windows since 95 was released. In Vista 64 I regularly encountered the problem with icons in the system tray (notification area.) Caching icons to improve performance makes sense, but I wonder why this apparently simple technical issue has been the cause of so much trouble over the years.

The simplest fix in Windows 7 is to switch the size of the icons used for pinned applications, apply the change, switch the size back again, and reapply the change. This approach forces the icon cache to be regenerated twice, temporarily resolving the problem.

I am currently testing a fix I have developed which I hope will provide a permanent solution. Once I am satisfied that the fix is indeed permanent then I will provide further details.

PsychEroc · 14. May 2009, 02:50 AM

The only problem I've had is that my user-pinned Start Menu icons have disappeared (also happened in betas). Interestingly, the actual folder containing the icons still has the icons, they're just not showing up in the Start Menu. So, maybe their not being registered.

15. May 2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsychEroc

The only problem I've had is that my user-pinned Start Menu icons have disappeared (also happened in betas). Interestingly, the actual folder containing the icons still has the icons, they're just not showing up in the Start Menu. So, maybe their not being registered.

Interesting. I haven't used this feature as yet, I mimic the old 'Open'/'Open All Users' method using shortcuts to the directories where the Start Menu items are stored. I'll give it a try and let you know how I get on.

Rik

martbd · 15. Jun 2009, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsychEroc

The only problem I've had is that my user-pinned Start Menu icons have disappeared (also happened in betas). Interestingly, the actual folder containing the icons still has the icons, they're just not showing up in the Start Menu. So, maybe their not being registered.

To fix this prob, create a new account and transfer the Startmenu folder to this new account plus any other personal folders and files to it, then run chkdsk /x /r and thats it .

15. Jun 2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martbd

To fix this prob, create a new account and transfer the Startmenu folder to this new account plus any other personal folders and files to it, then run chkdsk /x /r and thats it .

Thanks for the tip, although I'd only use this as a last resort. To date I've found the easiest solution is Customise the Start Menu and change the Use large icons setting, apply this, and then change it back to the original setting and reapply.

I'm still looking for other possible solutions. They'll be posted here if I find any.

allheart55 · 29. Sep 2009, 05:55 AM

This is an awesome freeware replacement for "Quick Launch"...anyone missing this try the Free Launch bar:

http://www.freelaunchbar.com/

It is also Windows 7 RTM and Vista 64 bit compatible. Right click the task bar and disable the "links" and

"desktop bar" and enable "Free Launch Bar"... you can add to it with icons from the desktop or drag and

drop them just as you would Quick Launch. No corruption, no worries....

I have been using it since the beta, the RC and am now using it with the RTM, 64 bit.

Jojo Yee · 29. Sep 2009, 08:06 AM

Another alternative is to use the Toolbar that comes with Win2k to Win7 to launch the programs. Don't need to download and run any other programs.

See How to Create a Program Launcher.

29. Sep 2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jojoyee

Another alternative is to use the Toolbar that comes with Win2k to Win7 to launch the programs. Don't need to download and run any other programs.

See How to Create a Program Launcher.

Jojoyee, what a simple yet fantastic tip. I'll link to it from the article on 64 bit freeware. Nice one.

Rik

29. Sep 2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allheart55

This is an awesome freeware replacement for "Quick Launch"...anyone missing this try the Free Launch bar:

http://www.freelaunchbar.com/

It is also Windows 7 RTM and Vista 64 bit compatible. Right click the task bar and disable the "links" and

"desktop bar" and enable "Free Launch Bar"... you can add to it with icons from the desktop or drag and

drop them just as you would Quick Launch. No corruption, no worries....

I have been using it since the beta, the RC and am now using it with the RTM, 64 bit.

I plan to have a look at this, it sounds interesting.

Thanks for the heads up.

Rik

StevenD · 15. Nov 2009, 03:12 AM

I just noticed this kind of thing happen just this afternoon. Icons for three applications in the task bar do not render. When I right click on the task bar and uncheck show small icons check box and click either Apply or Ok two of the icons render but one of them still doesn't. When I go to the folder of the application the icons don't render there as well. When I go back and click to show small icons they revert back to not rendering. I have never had this happen and am not a tech sort of person. This is just bugging me.

StevenD

13. May 2009, 10:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
rikmayell Guest Posts: n/a	OS Issue : Windows 7 Taskbar pinned applications icon corruption The problem that existed in the Windows 7 beta, where the icons for applications pinned to the Taskbar could become corrupted, has been carried through to the release candidate. Despite claims on some sites that the corruption occurs every three days, it appears to be random in nature. The only icons that appear to be unaffected are those associated with Office 2007. Icon cache corruption problems have been present in Windows since 95 was released. In Vista 64 I regularly encountered the problem with icons in the system tray (notification area.) Caching icons to improve performance makes sense, but I wonder why this apparently simple technical issue has been the cause of so much trouble over the years. The simplest fix in Windows 7 is to switch the size of the icons used for pinned applications, apply the change, switch the size back again, and reapply the change. This approach forces the icon cache to be regenerated twice, temporarily resolving the problem. I am currently testing a fix I have developed which I hope will provide a permanent solution. Once I am satisfied that the fix is indeed permanent then I will provide further details.

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14. May 2009, 02:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
PsychEroc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 216	The only problem I've had is that my user-pinned Start Menu icons have disappeared (also happened in betas). Interestingly, the actual folder containing the icons still has the icons, they're just not showing up in the Start Menu. So, maybe their not being registered.

29. Sep 2009, 05:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
allheart55 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 9	This is an awesome freeware replacement for "Quick Launch"...anyone missing this try the Free Launch bar: http://www.freelaunchbar.com/ It is also Windows 7 RTM and Vista 64 bit compatible. Right click the task bar and disable the "links" and "desktop bar" and enable "Free Launch Bar"... you can add to it with icons from the desktop or drag and drop them just as you would Quick Launch. No corruption, no worries.... I have been using it since the beta, the RC and am now using it with the RTM, 64 bit.

29. Sep 2009, 08:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
Jojo Yee Maestro di Search Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7,809	Another alternative is to use the Toolbar that comes with Win2k to Win7 to launch the programs. Don't need to download and run any other programs. See How to Create a Program Launcher.

15. Nov 2009, 03:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
StevenD Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	I just noticed this kind of thing happen just this afternoon. Icons for three applications in the task bar do not render. When I right click on the task bar and uncheck show small icons check box and click either Apply or Ok two of the icons render but one of them still doesn't. When I go to the folder of the application the icons don't render there as well. When I go back and click to show small icons they revert back to not rendering. I have never had this happen and am not a tech sort of person. This is just bugging me. StevenD