Are the desktop icons on your computer loading very slowly? If they are then you will face a problem of lengthier booting time on your computer. You can solve this issue just by following these easy fixes on your computer.
Table of Contents
Fix-1 Delete all iconcache files from Appdata-
1 – Open File explorer .
2 -Copy the path given below
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
3 -Paste it in the address bar of file explorer
4. Now, in Explorer folder, select all the files (iconcache / thumbcache) and then press the ‘Delete‘ key from your keyboard to empty the folder.
Close File Explorer window.
You will need to restart your computer.
After rebooting check the loading time of icons on your desktop.
Fix-2 Add a string value in Registry Editor-
1. Click on the search box on the bottom-left corner for the “regedit” from the search box.
2. Then, click on the “Registry Editor“.
The Registry Editor window will be opened.
NOTE–
The preliminary process before you go for the actual solution involves creating a backup of the Registry Editor. To do so, after you have opened the Registry Editor, click not the “File” on the menu bar and then click on the “Export“.
Don’t forget to save the backup in a secure place.
3. Now, expand the headers on the left-side in this way-
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
4. Now, right-click on “Explorer” and then sequentially click on “New>” and then on “String Value“.
5. Name the new string as “Max Cached Icons“.
6. Now, on the right-hand side of the Registry Editor window, double click on “Max Cached Icons“.
7. In the Edit String window, put “4096” in the ‘Value data:‘ option.
8. Click on “OK” to save the changes on your computer.
Close the Registry Editor window and then reboot your computer to save the changes on your computer.
After restarting your problem will be solved.
Fix-3 Delete Iconcache from Local folder-
Iconcache is the cache containing temporary info of cache, deleting it will resolve this issue.
1. Press Windows key+R to launch Run window.
2. To access the temp folder, you need to type “%temp%” and then hit Enter.
3. In the Temp folder, click on “Local” on the address bar to go back to the designated folder.
4. In the Local folder, on the menu-bar, click on “View“.
5. Then, click on “Options“.
6. Now, go to the “View” tab.
7. Now, check the option “Show hidden files, folders, and drives“.
8. Now, click on “Apply” and OK” to save it.
You will see the hidden folders/ files on your computer.
9. Now, scroll down and find the “Iconcache” file. If it is not there try to locate IconCache.db file.
10. Right-click on the “Iconcache” file (Or IconCache.db file) and then click on “Delete” to delete it from your computer.
Close File Explorer window.
Restart your pc to let the changes take effect.
After rebooting check the loading time of icons on your desktop.
Sambit is a Mechanical Engineer By qualification who loves to write about Windows 10 and solutions to weirdest possible problems.
SpLiT says
Setting the Max Icons to 4096 (from a value of 2000 that was already there) fixed the problem I was having with it taking ages to populate my custom taskbar toolbars with their icons.
Jamie says
Yay, the 3rd one worked for me! The icons weren’t loading in my OneDrive. Thank you for this.
Marc says
“Nicholas says
AUGUST 15, 2020 AT 11:18 PM
I have tried the second step although everytime I deleted the .db files I get a message saying “can’t delete as file is open in windows explorer”
And help would be really appreciated!”
The only way to delete these file is with Command Prompt. Open Command Prompt, type:
CD C:\Users\%your username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
then open the task manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), search Windows Explorer and righ-click on it, click End Task, (the desktop will become dark) then close the task manager. Then in the command prompt windows type del *.db (all the iconcache and thumbcache files with .db extension will be deleted)
Then open again the task manager (Ctrl+shift+esc), click on the File tab, Run New task, and type Explorer to open it again.
Nicholas says
I have tried the second step although everytime I deleted the .db files I get a message saying “can’t delete as file is open in windows explorer”
And help would be really appreciated!
Sambit Koley says
Hi Marc.
Try these steps-
1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run window.
2. Paste this location in the Run window and hit Enter.
C:\Users\%your username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows
Replace the ‘your username’ with your account name. For me, the command looks like-
C:\Users\Sambit\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows
Now, as you are directed to the Explorer folder, try the next steps following the next steps.
Marc says
FIX 2:
There is no “explorer” subfolder in the > AppData > Roaming > Microsoft > Windows folder.
Gary Harber says
Perfect, ABsolutely PERfect.
My websites now load instantly from the shortcuts, all thanks to your easy to follow instructions.
I make a point of getting the details up on my phone at the same time as I view (and work on the problem) on my Laptop.
Thanks again
All the best, sincerely
Gaz.