How to Completely Rebuild the Icon Cache in Windows 8.1 and 10

This updated guide examines How to Completely Rebuild the Icon Cache in Windows 8.1 and 10 and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 2:

Using File Explorer

1. Press the Start button at the bottom-right corner of your screen.
2. Type folder options and select the result that matches your search. This will allow you to change file viewing settings so that you can see hidden files like IconCache.
3. Go to theViewtab.
4. Scroll down under Advanced settings: and click the circle next to Show hidden files, folders, and drives .
5. Uncheck the boxnext to Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) .
6. Click or tap theOKbox to save your changes and close folder options.
7. Open File Explorer. File Explorer lets you see all the files on your computer, including system files like the icon cache.
   • Note: In Windows 7 and earlier, it is called Windows Explorer.
8. In the address bar of File Explorer, type%userprofile% /AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsExplorer .
9. Select all of the files (by pressingCtrl+Asimultaneously).
10. Delete the files (either by right-clicking and selectingDelete) or clicking✘ Deletein the ribbon.
    • If prompted by a window, click or tapYes.
    • A folder namedIconCacheToDeletemay appear after deleting all the other files. Leave it alone.
11. Restart your PC.

Method 2of 2:

Using Command Prompt

1. Close all open apps.
2. Open the Command Prompt. The quickest way to open the Command Prompt in any version of Windows is to:
   • Press the⊞Win+Rat the same time.
   • Typecmd.
   • Click/tapOKor hit↵Enter.
3. Type the commands in. Type the commands below into the Command Prompt, hitting enter after each line of code is entered. You can also highlight and copy them (either by right-clicking and pressingCopyor by pressingCtrl+C. Right-click in the Command Prompt and selectPaste.Ctrl+Vwon't work.
   • cd /d %userprofile%AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsExplorer
   • attrib –h iconcache_*.db
   • del iconcache_*.db
   • start explorer
4. Restart your PC.