Solved Itunes and Whatsapp Icons missing from Desktop shortcut

After a recent Windows 11 24H2 update, the Icons for both Itunes and WhatsApp are both missing. Both links work, just no Icon.

The typical help from AI is to locate the iTunes directory C:\Program Files\iTunes and create a shortcut from there.

This location does not exist not does the one for WhatsApp. They seem to be located in a hidden folder C:\Program Files\WindowsApps which is owned by Microsoft TrustedInstaller and even as administrator I can't see inside that folder (It's my computer for heavens sake!).

Is there any way to restore these icons short of reinstalling iTunes and WhatsApp - would that even fix the problem?
If I do reinstall WhatsApp, will I have to set up the phone and contacts all over again?

I also tried dragging the Apps from the Start Menu directly to the desktop which appears to say it is copying to the desktop, but it does not work. This does not seem to work for anything else on the Start Menu either. It is possible to create Desktop Shortcuts for some Apps by right clicking on the App in the Start Menu and opening the File Location etc, but iTunes and WhatsApp do not have that option.

You installed these from the Microsoft Store?

If so, the iTunes path would be similar to: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\AppleInc.iTunes_[version number]

What’s app would be something like: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\WhatsAppInc.WhatsApp_[version number]

Try this:

1. Press Win + R
2. Type “shell:AppsFolder” and press Enter
3. Find WhatsApp or iTunes in the list
4. Right-click and select "Create shortcut"
5. Click "Yes" when asked to create shortcut on desktop

Thanks for the replies. Yes I installed from Microsoft Store. I can't actually see into the C:\Program Files\WindowsApps folder - don't have the permissions.
However, I tried the Win + R option that was suggested and followed the instructions. It worked and the Icons are now restored.
I'll make a note of this in case this happens again.
Looks like I won't have to rebuild the Icon Cache.

I'll make this thread of closed, and thanks for the help.

p.s. The new WhatsApp Icon is not as good as the old one - its just a green circle with a green phone in it. It does not stand out as well against the background as well as the completely lime green one did. Pity, but at least its there.

2 things you could try

1. Run this Powershell script. Change the path for the icon file where it says “PATH_TO_YOUR_ICON_FILE.ico”




2. Manually (Most of which you’ve already done)

1. Press Win + R
2. Type `shell:AppsFolder` and press Enter
3. Find WhatsApp
4. Right-click and select "Create shortcut"
5. Click "Yes" to create on desktop
6. Right-click the new desktop shortcut
7. Select Properties
8. Click "Change Icon"
9. Browse to your .ico file
10. Click OK and Apply


- Microsoft Store apps have limitations on icon customization
- The icon change only affects shortcuts, not the main app
- You'll need a .ico file for the new icon
- The original app icon in the Start Menu will remain unchanged

This is a good site for png, ico files etc.

Search for your png/icon click on it, then select what format you want e.x.

• PNG
• SVG
• ICO
• ICNS

You may need to close the initial popup download box, to get to the above options.

Thanks again for the replies. I could create my own Icon as I have Axialis Librarian, but I think I'll leave the icon as it is. Its good enough and maybe they'll change it back at some point.