Delete symbol cache in Windows - how it works
If you have problems with your icons in Windows, you should delete the icon cache. In this practical tip we will show you how.
Delete icon cache under Windows 7 via CMD
If you have exchanged the program symbols or there are empty, white icons on the desktop, you can delete the symbol cache. In Windows 7 and Vista, the best variant is via the command prompt, since "Explorer.exe" does not run:
- Start the Task Manager with the key combination [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Esc] and end the process "Explorer.exe". Do not close the task manager afterwards!
- In the Task Manager menu, click "File"> "Run New Task" and enter "cmd.exe" on the command line.
- In the CMD window, enter the command line "CD / d% userprofile% \ AppData \ Local" and "del iconcache.db / a". Then type "exit" and confirm again with [Enter].
- Start a new task in the Task Manager using the "File" menu. Now enter the command "explorer.exe" and click on "OK". Now the icons should be displayed correctly again.
Delete symbol cache under Windows 8 - Here's how
Windows 8 no longer stores all of the icons in the "iconcache.db" database, but creates a separate file for each size. The files can be found in the path "C: \ Users \ your name \ AppData \ Local \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Explorer". Since the files are read-only, they cannot be easily deleted. To do this, you must first create a batch file:
- Create a new text document and copy the code "@echo off taskkill / f / IM explorer.exe CD / d% userprofile% \ AppData \ Local \ Microsoft \ Windows del / f / s / q Explorer \ iconcache *. * Start explorer.exe ".
- So that you know what the commands mean, here is a brief explanation: "/ f" also deletes read-only files, "/ s" deletes all files also in subdirectories, "/ q" prevents the request because of the placeholders.
- Save the file as a .bat file. The bat file must not be on the desktop, it is best to save it in the folder "C: \ Users \ your name \".
- Start the created file with a double click. The icon cache is now automatically deleted,
- If the desktop then appears without icons, wallpapers and taskbar, restore it with just a few steps: Start Task Manager with [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Esc] and run a new one via the "File" menu Task off. In the command line, type "explorer.exe" and confirm with [Enter].
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Read on the next page how to clear the DNS cache too.