Revert to a backup?
the shortcuts are looking like that there was an installation error with the software, but if office runs proberly it coulnd’t be that problem.
you could try this: right click on desktop => new => folder, then name it: name.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} - then you got the so called “god mode” (i’m not kidding) and the item of your folder will change in a system control panel icon. for “name” you can insert a name you want, but the .{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} has to be exactly the same - including the dot before {.
if you’ve done that and start the new control panel, you will see an overview with a huge list where you can check, set and control EVERYTHING what’s win 7 doing - but be warned: wrong settings could lead your system to malfunction. but don’t worry, it’s easy to use if you don’t set too much - a lot of the functions you’ll know already from the “normal” control panel.
the other thing you could check ist the microsoft management console (mmc). just click on start => in the search field of the start menu type mmc and press enter. when the mmc opened hit “file” and then “add/delete snap in”. in the opening window select “services” in the left menu and “add”. then close the window with “ok”. in the next window just click “finish”. in the mmc you will see “services” in the left field. click it and then you will see a whole list of services in the middle field of the mmc that are starting automatically, manually or are deactiveted when running windows. just check if the right services are activated/deactivated. you can do so if you double click on a service. in the opening window there you can set the values of a service. the services are also described very good if you just click them with a single mouse click.
another thing is just to click start and enter “msconfig” in the search field, press enter and click in that window on the tab “services” but i prefer to use the mmc because it’s better to use. but in the msconfig you can check your autostart-programs and activate those you need and deactivte those you don’t need to start automatically with windows. you will find them on the tab “systemstart”.
but i got to warn you again: wrong setting in the mmc or the msconfig coul lead your system to malfunction, too. so try carefully and click only that wht you know you’re clicking.
i hope the hints are of some help and if not, you got to check your registry with “regedit” and the dll’s and windows values there - but that goes very deep into the system and could also crash it and would be the last option if any other hints or workarounds don’t help.
also i must say that i’m wondering that people are using tune up utilities and stuff like that when running windows 7 - it does not much more then the tools are already build in with windows and they’ve done a lotta optimizations with windows 7 that it will run faster and more safe and stable. but i think cleaning programs for the trash are windows collecting are making still making sense, but only for that tune up or other tools like that are not needed. for that only there are so much tools who are much slimmer and faster and who don’t need an installation, for example “Clear Prog”.
Both of these guys are right, and both techniques should work. I personally use Tune-Up Utilities to fix errors like this, and I’ve used the program for 3 years. Using this method should work just fine. The program is offered as a trial version in English as well, when you download it you don’t have to fill out the email field if you don’t like using trial software, just click accept and download. I also have a keygen for anyone who wants to use it for free. This is a great program for a lot more than just repairing your icon cache. Version 2010 cleans, defrags, and optimizes your system. I use the advanced system control utility to completely customize windows inside and out. But this is up to you. And if anyone was wondering i am running Windows 7 Ultimate x64 bit.
ANYWAY.
The manual method might be eaiser if your only missing a few icons. Simply right click on the icon (if its a shortcut) and select properties, then click on the shortcut tab and click the change icon button. Navigate to where the program is located (e.g. c\program files\steam) and click on the steam.exe to replace the icon. Just follow this procedure for whatever else you are missing. If this doesn’t work, then you might be better off repairing your icon cache like someone else said using Tune-Up Utilites.
I really think there should be a pc help section in this forum, i love doing this stuff o_0
I am unsure what did it, whether a third time of refreshing the icon cache, a reboot for the 5th time after doing a bunch of things, or the installation of the free trial icon program…
But now I can change my icons.
Strange times indeed.
A big thank you to everyone here by the way. IN CASE this problem resolved as a result of that stupid free trial program, and IN CASE 6 months from now that ability all goes away…
This thread is now available for times that the kitty catz goes crazy over the icons again.
Again, a big thank you to all that participated in this experiment of insanity.