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Windows 10 is a versatile and user-friendly operating system that offers a host of customization options. One of the ways users can personalize their Windows 10 experience is by adding icons to their desktop for quick access to their favorite files, folders, or programs. These icons can be customized in terms of size, position, and appearance to suit the user’s preferences.
However, there are times when users might find that certain icons on their desktop are highlighted or have a colored background, which can be distracting or undesirable. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as an active selection, a recently opened file, or a software glitch. Whatever the cause, this blog post will guide you through the process of removing highlighted icons on desktop Windows 10.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Removing Highlighted Icons on Desktop Windows 10
Removing highlighted icons on desktop Windows 10 might seem like a simple task, but it can prove to be challenging if you are unfamiliar with the various methods available to achieve this. Here are three methods that you can use to remove highlighted icons on desktop Windows 10:
- Method 1: Changing the icon view settings
- Method 2: Rebuilding the icon cache
- Method 3: Resetting the desktop icon layout
Method 1: Changing the Icon View Settings
The first method involves changing the icon view settings in Windows 10. By adjusting the view settings, you can customize the appearance of the icons on your desktop and remove any highlighting. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Right-click on an empty area of your desktop to open the context menu.
2. Hover your mouse over the "View" option to open a submenu.
3. In the submenu, click on "Large icons" or "Medium icons" to change the view size.
4. If the icons are still highlighted, try selecting a different view size, such as "Small icons" or "List".
5. Repeat the steps until the highlighted icons are removed.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Quick and easy method to remove highlighted icons. | 1. May not work if the highlighting is caused by a software glitch. |
| 2. Allows you to customize the size and appearance of the icons. | 2. Changing the view settings may affect the layout of other icons on your desktop. |
| 3. No technical knowledge or troubleshooting required. | 3. Limited in its ability to remove certain types of highlighting, such as active selections. |
Method 2: Rebuilding the Icon Cache
If changing the icon view settings doesn’t remove the highlighted icons, you can try rebuilding the icon cache. The icon cache is a database that Windows uses to store the icons for files, folders, and programs on your computer. Sometimes, the icon cache can become corrupted, leading to issues with the appearance of icons on the desktop. Here’s how you can rebuild the icon cache:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type "cmd" and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
3. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter: CD /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local
4. Then, type the following command and press Enter: DEL IconCache.db /a
5. Close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Rebuilding the icon cache can resolve issues caused by corrupted cache files. | 1. Requires the use of Command Prompt and basic knowledge of command-line operations. |
| 2. Simple and effective method to remove highlighting caused by corrupted cache. | 2. May not work if the highlighting is caused by a different issue. |
| 3. Does not affect other settings or customizations on your computer. | 3. The icon cache will be automatically rebuilt after the restart, which may take some time. |
Method 3: Resetting the Desktop Icon Layout
If the previous methods don’t work, you can try resetting the desktop icon layout. This method involves deleting a specific registry key responsible for storing the desktop icon layout. Here’s how you can reset the desktop icon layout:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type "regedit" and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop
4. Right-click on the "Desktop" key and select "Delete" from the context menu.
5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Resetting the desktop icon layout can resolve issues caused by a corrupted layout. | 1. Requires the use of Registry Editor and caution must be exercised when modifying registry keys. |
| 2. Effective method to remove highlighting caused by a corrupted layout. | 2. May not work if the highlighting is caused by a different issue or software glitch. |
| 3. Does not affect other settings or customizations on your computer. | 3. The desktop icons will be rearranged to their default positions after the restart. |
Alternatives: What to Do If You Can’t Remove Highlighted Icons
If none of the above methods work or you’re unable to remove the highlighted icons on your desktop, here are some alternative solutions you can try:
1. Update your display drivers: Outdated or incompatible display drivers can sometimes cause issues with the appearance of icons on your desktop. Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer and download the latest drivers for your specific model.
2. Run a system file checker scan: The system file checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows tool that scans for and repairs corrupted system files. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type the command "sfc /scannow" to initiate the scan.
3. Create a new user account: Sometimes, user profile corruption can lead to issues with the appearance of icons on the desktop. Create a new user account and see if the problem persists. If the highlighted icons are not present in the new user account, you can transfer your files and settings to the new account.
Bonus Tips
Here are three bonus tips to enhance your desktop customization experience:
1. Organize your icons into folders: If you have a cluttered desktop with numerous icons, consider organizing them into folders. This can help you maintain a neat and tidy desktop while still having quick access to your files and programs.
2. Use third-party icon packs: Windows 10 offers a limited selection of icon styles. If you want to further customize the appearance of your icons, you can install third-party icon packs that provide a wide range of design options.
3. Create shortcut keys for frequently used programs: To quickly launch your favorite programs without using the mouse, you can create custom shortcut keys. Right-click on the program’s shortcut, select "Properties," and assign a key combination in the "Shortcut key" field.
5 FAQs about Removing Highlighted Icons on Desktop Windows 10
Q1: Why are some of my desktop icons highlighted?
A1: Highlighted desktop icons can occur due to active selections, recently opened files, or software glitches. The highlighting provides visual feedback regarding the selected or active items.
Q2: Can I change the color or appearance of the highlighted icons?
A2: Windows 10 does not provide native options to change the appearance of highlighted icons. However, you can try methods such as changing the view settings, rebuilding the icon cache, or resetting the desktop icon layout to remove the highlighting.
Q3: Will removing the highlighted icons affect my other desktop customizations?
A3: No, removing the highlighted icons using the methods mentioned in this blog post will not affect other desktop customizations. Your other settings, such as wallpapers, taskbar position, or theme, will remain unchanged.
Q4: Is it possible to remove highlighting for specific icons only?
A4: Windows 10 does not provide an option to selectively remove highlighting for specific icons. The highlighting is typically applied to all selected or active icons on the desktop.
Q5: What should I do if the highlighted icons reappear after removing them?
A5: If the highlighted icons reappear after removing them, it could be due to another underlying issue. In such cases, try alternative solutions like updating display drivers, running a system file checker scan, or creating a new user account.
In Conclusion
Removing highlighted icons on desktop Windows 10 can be achieved through various methods, such as changing the icon view settings, rebuilding the icon cache, or resetting the desktop icon layout. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can regain control over the appearance of your desktop icons and personalize your Windows 10 experience to suit your preferences. Remember to explore alternative solutions and utilize bonus tips to further enhance your desktop customization.