Why Desktop Icon Reappears after Delete?

Why desktop icons reappear after deleting?

The desktop icon can help you rapidly browse computer systems and find the files you're looking for. Desktop icons and files that resurface after deletion are unpleasant difficulties that many users are experiencing. There are several reasons why "deleted desktop items keep reappearing." 

Possible causes of desktop icon reappears after delete:

How to safely remove shortcuts from desktop

Does the desktop icon persist after deletion?  Deleted files return on the desktop? How can I erase desktop shortcuts without their reappearing?  Here are some suggestions to help you.

Fix 1. Remove/add desktop shortcuts in Desktop icon settings

Windows Settings is a Microsoft Windows component that enables users to customize their user preferences, configure their operating system, and manage devices.

Step 1. Open Windows Settings by clicking the “Win + I” button and click the “Personalization” button.

Step 2. Click the “Themes” button.

Step 3. Click “Desktop icon settings” on the right.

Step 4. Don’t tick the desktop icon you desire to delete. Then click Apply > OK.

Fix 2. Utilize the elevated command prompt to reset the recycle bin.

Users frequently transfer their undesirable desktop icons to the Recycle Bin, as previously mentioned. However, if the Recycle Bin appears to be vacant but is not, and its icon is grayed out, it is likely to be damaged. Utilizing the elevated command prompt, it is feasible to reset the Recycle Bin to prevent desktop files and icons from being deleted.

Step 1. Type “cmd” in the search bar and “Run as administrator” to open the command prompt window.

Step 2. Type “rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin” in the window and hit “Enter” or press “OK” to begin the process. You can also replace the letter C with your chosen drive letter.

Fix 3. Modify permissions to remove from desktop

The Recycle Bin may also become grayed out if you are eager to remove it from the desktop without admin privileges. In particular, it is prohibited to alter the desktop icon without authorization. Not to note the removal of desktop shortcuts.

Step 1. Right-click on the desktop icon you want to remove. Then select Properties > Security.

Step 2. Locate your username and click the “Edit” button.

Step 3. Check the Allow box next to Full Control. After clicking the “Apply” button, remember to click “OK” to close it.

Fix 4. Modify system permissions to delete icons

If the aforementioned modification is unsuccessful in removing shortcuts from the desktop, it may be necessary to modify the system permissions. Once this is accomplished, you are prepared to eliminate shortcuts from the desktop.

Step 1. Right-click on your chosen desktop icon > select Properties > click Security > tap Advanced.

Step 2. Click the “Change” button beside the Owner.

Step 3. In the Select Users or Groups window, enter your username to replace Everyone. Then click Check Names > OK.

Step 4. Go back to the Advanced Security Settings window, and click the “Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this project” and “OK” buttons.

Fix 5. Rebuild desktop icon cache

If the desktop icon is damaged, it may reappear after it has been deleted. In this scenario, the damaged icon can be resolved by rebuilding the icon cache. This task can be completed by adhering to the steps outlined below.

Step 1. To access File Explorer, press the Windows + E key combination.

Step 2. Locate the following location path in the upper address bar: C:\Users\bj\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

Step 3. Right-click on all files that begin with "iconcache" and select "delete" to eliminate them. Afterward, proceed to resume your computer to confirm that the issue has been resolved.

Fix 6. Scan viruses & malwares

A virus infection can result in a variety of computer-related issues, including data loss, computer crashes, and hard drive corruption. Additionally, it may result in the issue of "shortcuts persistently appearing on desktop Windows. In this scenario, Windows Defender, the integrated antivirus software, can be employed to conduct a virus or malware scan on your computer.

Step 1. Open Windows Settings and click Update & Security.

Step 2. In the left panel, select Windows Defender. Then click Open Windows Defender Security Center > Virus & threat protection.

Step 3. Click Quick Scan.

Wait for the scanning process to conclude and adhere to the on-screen instructions to eliminate viruses.

Bonus tips: Recover deleted desktop icons/files Windows

Certain users have a propensity to optimize their interface by eliminating icons. However, they may require assistance in identifying the original files or folders associated with their deleted desktop icons after the deletion. Therefore, how can one retrieve lost shortcuts from their desktop?

Initially, you may verify the items that are recoverable in the recycle bin. If your desired desktop icons, files, or folders are not present in this transient storage location, it is advisable to seek assistance from professional data recovery software, such as AOMEI FastRecovery.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool start to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first for finding your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovering ends.

Conclusion

Hope the solutions in this post can fix the desktop icon that reappears after delete. If you lost desktop files accidentally, you can try AOMEI FastRecovery to retrieve them back.