Solved Very Minor Desktop Icon issue


I'm leery of using any kind of registry cleaner
Good for you. Stay away from them
Avast ...Dell...MS suggest some updates,
Avast incorporates and rebrands a third party driver updater/scanner into it's software. Stay away from that, too. Preferably get your drivers from your manufacturer if at all possible., WU as second choice but it doesn't always install the latest drivers. Using Dell Support Assist or Command Update would be the easiest way to go if you have either app installed. I use Dell Command Update.
operating systems are just becoming too complicated for anyone (or any group of thousands of software developers at MS) to wrap their heads around!
Consider it an adventure....like climbing Mt. Everest or swimming with sharks. ;-)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
it only happens on the left side of the screen.
Whaaaat? Neither you nor the OP has completed your user profile. We do not know what version of 11 you are running. Are you running an insider build? If so, that could be your problem. We need to know what we are working with before we can give answers that might apply to you.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
I'm neither the OP or the person suggesting the problem is with the left side of the screen, but for the record, I experienced the issue in this thread running Windows 11 Home, 22H2, OS Build 22621.1265 on a Dell Inspiron (3511) laptop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-1135G7 @ 2.40GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    12 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated IrisXE
    Sound Card
    Integrated/Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe Micron 2210 NVMe 512GB
    PSU
    N/A
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    N/A
    Keyboard
    N/A
    Mouse
    MS Optical Mouse 2.0 USB
    Internet Speed
    800 Mbps down, 20 Mbps up
Whaaaat? Neither you nor the OP has completed your user profile. We do not know what version of 11 you are running. Are you running an insider build? If so, that could be your problem. We need to know what we are working with before we can give answers that might apply to you.
Latest version of windows 11.. not insider or anything like that. An MS employee told me to try the right side and it works. It might be an issue related to widgets or whatever the bar is that comes from the left with WIN + W keys.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5700X
    Motherboard
    ASUS Crosshair VII Hero
    Memory
    32GB 3600MHZ CL16
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX3070TI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG27GP850-B
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Case
    Fractal Design Meshify 2
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15s
    Keyboard
    ASUS Strix Flare
    Mouse
    Glorious Model D- Wireless
    Browser
    MS Edge
When this first started to happen, my initial thought was perhaps it was widget related. So I turned off the widgets. Didn't help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-1135G7 @ 2.40GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    12 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated IrisXE
    Sound Card
    Integrated/Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe Micron 2210 NVMe 512GB
    PSU
    N/A
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    N/A
    Keyboard
    N/A
    Mouse
    MS Optical Mouse 2.0 USB
    Internet Speed
    800 Mbps down, 20 Mbps up
When this first started to happen, my initial thought was perhaps it was widget related. So I turned off the widgets. Didn't help.
Well MS knows of this issue now. For now i'm just going to move all my icons to the right side of the screen. I don't think the issue can be fixed any other way than through a new update.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5700X
    Motherboard
    ASUS Crosshair VII Hero
    Memory
    32GB 3600MHZ CL16
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX3070TI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG27GP850-B
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Case
    Fractal Design Meshify 2
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15s
    Keyboard
    ASUS Strix Flare
    Mouse
    Glorious Model D- Wireless
    Browser
    MS Edge
The issue seemed to go away on my computer for the last two days, but now it's back. Gotta love this software crap!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-1135G7 @ 2.40GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    12 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated IrisXE
    Sound Card
    Integrated/Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe Micron 2210 NVMe 512GB
    PSU
    N/A
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    N/A
    Keyboard
    N/A
    Mouse
    MS Optical Mouse 2.0 USB
    Internet Speed
    800 Mbps down, 20 Mbps up
Seems since the last update mine has been void of this issue. I waited this long to post because I wanted to make sure I was seeing this change in my system. Left side seems to be working fine for me now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    N/A
    CPU
    AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 965 Processor 3.40 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-770T USB3
    Memory
    12gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX950
    Sound Card
    Realtek 888
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD Vulcan Z
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    500
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I am having exacly the same problem in Windows 11.

It involves the Desktop Icons, they work fine when selected EXCEPT if the PC is left for a while, then they dont respond to hover or selection, they do after a while and they will continue to be ok until the PC is left for a while again.

As far as I can tell, this only applies to the Desktop. Other icons in folders work ok.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
I am having exacly the same problem in Windows 11.

It involves the Desktop Icons, they work fine when selected EXCEPT if the PC is left for a while, then they dont respond to hover or selection, they do after a while and they will continue to be ok until the PC is left for a while again.

As far as I can tell, this only applies to the Desktop. Other icons in folders work ok.
Do they work on the right side of the screen?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5700X
    Motherboard
    ASUS Crosshair VII Hero
    Memory
    32GB 3600MHZ CL16
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX3070TI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG27GP850-B
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Case
    Fractal Design Meshify 2
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15s
    Keyboard
    ASUS Strix Flare
    Mouse
    Glorious Model D- Wireless
    Browser
    MS Edge
I am having exacly the same problem in Windows 11.

It involves the Desktop Icons, they work fine when selected EXCEPT if the PC is left for a while, then they dont respond to hover or selection, they do after a while and they will continue to be ok until the PC is left for a while again.

As far as I can tell, this only applies to the Desktop. Other icons in folders work ok.
Some process in the background keeps the system busy and it takes time to release the resources and respond.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 64-bit (build 22631.3235)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    VDSL 50 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro v23H2 (build 22631.3235)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    Gainward NE5105T018G1-1070F (nVidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti 4GB GDDR5)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Patriot Burst Elite 480GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Stock Intel CPU Fan, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Mouse
    Sunnyline OptiEye PS/2
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Internet Speed
    100Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4
Some process in the background keeps the system busy and it takes time to release the resources and respond.
So why does the right side work just fine if you put the icons there? It is a bug with widgets. That is what i got from an MS tech support employee.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5700X
    Motherboard
    ASUS Crosshair VII Hero
    Memory
    32GB 3600MHZ CL16
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX3070TI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG27GP850-B
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Case
    Fractal Design Meshify 2
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15s
    Keyboard
    ASUS Strix Flare
    Mouse
    Glorious Model D- Wireless
    Browser
    MS Edge
Disable widgets and restart the computer, confirm it works ok. Then try to enable widgets. If the issue reappears I would disable widgets until the next updates which might fix it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 64-bit (build 22631.3235)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    VDSL 50 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro v23H2 (build 22631.3235)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    Gainward NE5105T018G1-1070F (nVidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti 4GB GDDR5)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Patriot Burst Elite 480GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Stock Intel CPU Fan, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Mouse
    Sunnyline OptiEye PS/2
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Internet Speed
    100Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4
Disable widgets and restart the computer, confirm it works ok. Then try to enable widgets. If the issue reappears I would disable widgets until the next updates which might fix it.
Well i have not found a way to completely disable widgets. They come back after a restart.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5700X
    Motherboard
    ASUS Crosshair VII Hero
    Memory
    32GB 3600MHZ CL16
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX3070TI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG27GP850-B
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Case
    Fractal Design Meshify 2
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15s
    Keyboard
    ASUS Strix Flare
    Mouse
    Glorious Model D- Wireless
    Browser
    MS Edge
Convert your Microsoft account to local account. This will disable widgets. I have installed 8gadgetpack and I use Windows 7 desktop gadgets for the same tasks (weather, calendar, time, notes) instead of widgets.
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 64-bit (build 22631.3235)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    VDSL 50 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro v23H2 (build 22631.3235)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    Gainward NE5105T018G1-1070F (nVidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti 4GB GDDR5)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Patriot Burst Elite 480GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Stock Intel CPU Fan, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Mouse
    Sunnyline OptiEye PS/2
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Internet Speed
    100Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4
So why does the right side work just fine if you put the icons there? It is a bug with widgets. That is what i got from an MS tech support employee.
I also confirm that this problem is NOT present if icon(s) are on the right hand side of the desktop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
To those who are having this issue, look at this link. After reading this, it seems as if the Search box is to blame: Redirecting Hope this helps!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Aurora R11
To those who are having this issue, look at this link. After reading this, it seems as if the Search box is to blame: Redirecting Hope this helps!
Hi Gremlin, this is a different issue, I have two rows of icons from top to bottom on the desktop, this problem concerns any desktop icon in any posistion. It only happens if you leave the pc idle for about 20 minutes or more. It resolves after mulit attempts and will remain resolved until you leave the pc idle again for 20 mins +.

Its not a background process running either because it does not happen at all if the icons are on the right.

The small unresposive area that was a windows 11 issue is a different problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Hi Gremlin, this is a different issue, I have two rows of icons from top to bottom on the desktop, this problem concerns any desktop icon in any posistion. It only happens if you leave the pc idle for about 20 minutes or more. It resolves after mulit attempts and will remain resolved until you leave the pc idle again for 20 mins +.

Its not a background process running either because it does not happen at all if the icons are on the right.

The small unresposive area that was a windows 11 issue is a different problem.
Hey Rotty, try this.. I just did this and the problem is solved. I went into the Taskbar Settings, if you right click on the taskbar and then click on Taskbar Settings, that will take you into another menu. From the top if the Search Button is on, turn it off. If its off, turn it on and then turn it back off again. That did the trick for me. I know that the problem started right when Microsoft did the last Windows 11 update, so I know without a shadow of a doubt the problem is the update. But, try that trick. Hope that helps..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Aurora R11
Hey Rotty, try this.. I just did this and the problem is solved. I went into the Taskbar Settings, if you right click on the taskbar and then click on Taskbar Settings, that will take you into another menu. From the top if the Search Button is on, turn it off. If its off, turn it on and then turn it back off again. That did the trick for me. I know that the problem started right when Microsoft did the last Windows 11 update, so I know without a shadow of a doubt the problem is the update. But, try that trick. Hope that helps..
Hi Gremlin, thanks for reply, i tried this, unfortunately it didnt work for me but appreciate your idea. I think your right about that update.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11

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