Why Do Windows 10 Desktop Icons Have White Xs? Find Out How to Remove Them

Demystifying the Mysterious White X’s on Windows 10 Desktop Icons

As Windows 10 users, we’ve all seen those cryptic white X’s mysteriously appear on desktop icons. While mildly annoying, these X’s actually provide valuable insight into potential issues. After consulting dedicated Windows experts on forum discussions, we uncovered several hidden meanings behind the white X’s – along with proven solutions to banish them for good!

The White X’s Significance

The white X’s indicate that Windows has detected a problem syncing the file or folder represented by the icon. This could be caused by several different issues:

• A corrupted icon cache preventing Windows from displaying the correct icon
• Invalid permissions blocking access to the file or folder
• Incorrect power settings suspending components needed to update icons
• Problematic overlay icons enabled through OneDrive or Office

While the white X doesn’t identify the specific cause, it signals Windows is unable to sync changes to the icon. Once we resolve the underlying issue, the X disappears and proper syncing resumes.

How do I get the ‘this PC’ icon on my Desktop?

Select “Computer” from the listed options and then click “Apply” to add it to your desktop. The My Computer icon was a fixture on Windows desktops for decades, but it was removed and renamed with the introduction of Windows 10. Now properly called “This PC,” the icon must be added back manually. Here’s how to get the This PC icon on your desktop.

How do I move icons from Windows 10 to Windows 10?

Click Desktop. This folder is on the left side of File Explorer. Click your icons folder. Doing so selects it. If you just downloaded one icon, select the icon instead. Click Home. This tab is in the upper-left corner of the File Explorer window. Click Move to. It’s in the “Organize” section of the toolbar at the top of the File Explorer window.

Refreshing Icons to Remove X’s

The quick and easy solution is simply refreshing the icons. Right-click your desktop, select "Refresh", and reload the icon cache. If the X’s vanish, the problem was likely a temporary glitch. Enjoy your clean desktop!

However, for persistent X’s, refreshing provides only temporary relief. The X’s inevitably return until addressing the root cause. Let’s explore some methods to banish those white X’s forever!

Purging the Corrupted Icon Cache

One common culprit triggering the white X’s is file corruption in the icon cache. This database stores the icon images for every file and folder on your system. If this cache gets corrupted, Windows struggles displaying accurate icons.

To purge the corrupted cache:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “%localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer” and press Enter.
3. Locate the iconcache* files and delete them.
4. Restart your computer to rebuild the icon cache.

Once the cache reloads from scratch, those pesky X’s should disappear for good!

Adjusting Incorrect Permissions

If the icon cache fix doesn’t work, improper permissions likely cause the issue. The account accessing the desktop icons needs full Read/Write permissions.

How do I add a desktop icon to Windows 10?

Select Start , open Settings , then under Personalization , select Themes . Under Themes, scroll down and select Desktop icon settings. Choose the icons you would like to have on your desktop, then select Apply and OK. Need more help?

How do I add Windows 10 desktop icons?

You have several options if you want to add Windows 10 desktop icons for programs you have already installed. You can: Drag and drop the executable directly from the folder it is installed in. Right-click and select Send to, Desktop (create shortcut). Usually, programs will install an icon automatically but that isn’t always the case.

What does a blue Icon over a folder mean?

The blue one is for your work or school account, the white one is for your personal account. Learn how to add an account in OneDrive. A chain or link icon over a folder means it’s a shortcut to another folder that has been shared. A brown box over your Windows Desktop icons can be caused by an issue with Windows Explorer.

Check permissions on both the apps/folders themselves and their parent directories. If permissions look good, try editing them anyway to rule out a glitch. Grant yourself full control and see if the white X vanishes.

Adjusting permissions resolves many mystery desktop issues beyond just the white X’s!

Disabling Problematic Power Settings

Power settings can also interfere with proper icon syncing and trigger X’s. Specifically, the "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" setting for your network adapter card.

This setting suspends components needed to update desktop icons when the computer is idle. Simply disabling this option typically eliminates further X issues.

Turning Off Annoying Overlay Icons

Finally, overlay icons enabled through OneDrive and Office applications often generate white X’s. These overlays display sync status right on desktop icons, frequently bugging out and causing X’s.

Disabling the overlay icons requires just a few quick steps:

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
2. Select “Settings” then navigate to the “Accounts” tab.
3. Uncheck the box for “Use Office to sync Office files that I open.”

This prevents sync overlays from enabling in the first place. Without overlays wreaking havoc, the white X’s disappear.

How do I change the icons on Windows 10?

On Windows 10, switch to the “Themes” tab on the left-hand side. Scroll down and click the “Desktop icon settings” link. Whichever version of Windows you’re using, the “Desktop Icon Settings” window that opens next looks the same. Select the check boxes for the icons you want to appear on your desktop, and then click the “OK” and “Apply.”

What if I don’t see desktop icons in Windows 11?

If you don’t see any desktop icons at all, right-click the Windows desktop, point to “View,” and ensure “Show Desktop Icons” is checked. If this option isn’t checked, Windows will hide all your desktop icons, including the This PC or My Computer icon. Windows 11, by default, also keeps most of the important icons off your desktop.

Bid Farewell to White X’s Forever!

With all these tweaks in your toolbelt, you’re ready to troubleshoot those mysterious white X’s on Windows icons and restore a cleanly syncing desktop. No more annoyance, only seamless icon harmony!

We highly recommend checking forum discussions to discover even more expert Windows tips and tricks. The hive mind knowledge of dedicated users solves virtually any Windows issue imaginable.

Let us know in the comments if you encounter any other perplexing Windows desktop problems. We love brainstorming solutions together and helping each other master this operating system we all rely on daily. The Windows community stands strong!

References

1. https://www.alphr.com/what-is-x-on-icon-windows/
2. https://superuser.com/questions/971215/why-do-all-my-desktop-icons-all-have-a-red-x-in-the-lower-left

How do I change the icon size in Windows 10?

Right-click the desktop. Hover over “View”, then uncheck “Show desktop icons” to hide them. Right-click the desktop, hover over “View”, then select a new icon size. To change icons, right-click the folder or shortcut. Click “Properties” → “Customize/Shortcut” → “Change Icon”. Open Start .

How do I create a desktop shortcut on Windows 10?

Change its icon if you wish now. The simplest way to create a desktop shortcut for your favorite program is to right-click on its .exe file and select Send To > Desktop (Create shortcut). You will see that its shortcut has been created on your Windows desktop. If you instead select Create shortcut, its shortcut will be created in the same location.

Why do I see a gray X on Windows 10?

This is not a OneDrive icon, but a corrupted Windows shortcut icon. If you see a gray X over your Windows Desktop shortcuts, try these tips: Right-click on your Desktop and select Refresh. Uninstall any backup applications that are not longer used. Restart your computer after each uninstallation.