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Desktop Icons Flashing: Best 7 Solutions Curated by Experts
Check out expert solutions confirmed to work by users
6 min. read
Updated onApril 17, 2024
updated onApril 17, 2024
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Key notes
Flashing desktop icons was quite prominent on one of the older versions of Windows, as an update brought calamity to the users. The future releases seemingly resolved it, but some users still face the problem.
With the desktop icons flickering, users were unable to perform any operation, and it drastically affected the Windows experience. But the problem is easily fixable, and we will walk you through everything there’s to know when the desktop icons are blinking.
Why do my desktop icons flicker?
Here are some of the reasons why the icons are flashing on the desktop in Windows 10:
How do I fix the desktop icons flashing?
Before we try the slightly intricate solutions, here are a few quick ones that helped many users:
If these don’t work, try the solutions listed next.
1. Delete the IconCache.db file
If desktop icons keep flashing in Windows, it could be a corrupt icon cache to blame, and you could quickly fix it by deleting theIconCache.dbfile. Don’t worry, Windows will automatically create a new file right away.
2. Update the display drivers
In many cases, it was an outdated graphics driver that led to flashing desktop icons, and updating it fixed the problem. But Windows doesn’t always lend a helping hand when updating the drivers.
What you need to do is get yourself a proper driver provided by the GPU OEM. You can use aspecialized third-party driver updaterto automatically scan for the latest compatible driver for your GPU and other important software.
3. Run the DISM and SFC scan
The two scans, DISM and SFC, will help identify and fix corrupt system files along with a few other problems with the OS.
4. Uninstall conflicting applications
There are various applications that could be responsible for flashing desktop icons.Webex Productivity Toolswas one. Basically, look for apps that change the way your computer functions or modify the graphic settings.
5. Modify the Registry
After you have modified the Registry, the desktop icons shouldn’t be flashing anymore. In case they still do, head to the next method.
6. Create a new user profile
Many users reported that creating a new user account did the trick when all other methods failed to work. This is primarily due to acorrupt user profile.
If everything works out, all you have to do is move the files from the previous account to the new one. For that, you could use a USB drive, an external hard drive, or aneffective backup tool.
7. Perform an in-place upgrade
If nothing so far has worked, your only option is to perform an in-place upgrade. The best part about it, you wouldn’t lose any files, apps, or configured settings. Everything would be the same after the repair, except the flashing desktop icons problem would disappear.
Before you leave, do not forget to check how tochange icons in Windowsand set your favorite ones for any folder or app.
If you have any queries or have fixed the problem with another solution, drop them in the comments section below.
More about the topics:icon,windows 10 fix,Windows 11
Aleksandar Ognjanovic
Aleksandar’s main passion is technology. With a solid writing background, he is determined to bring the bleeding edge to the common user. With a keen eye, he always spots the next big thing surrounding Microsoft and the Windows OS.
Focused on Windows errors and how to solve them, he also writes about the OS’s latest features as well as its interface.
In his free time, he likes to read, listen to music, and enjoy the nature. Hiking is one of his newly found passions.
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