Windows icon cache does not exist

Question

I've just performed a fresh install of Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit, and have installed all updates and SP1. After installing IObit Smart Defrag, I noticed the icon for that software was the generic application icon in Windows, rather than that of the actual software. So naturally, I assumed I need to rebuild the icon cache, as is widely explained all over, and I've done it a million times.

However, when I navigate to C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\, There is no file IconCache.db. I have restarted and this file still does not exist. Obviously I replaced [Username] with the actual username, and have selected to show hidden/system files. I've even tried a command prompt, and that too reports that the file does not exist when I tried deleting it from there. So this file really isn't there.

What is wrong and how do I fix this? It seems this new Windows install has no icon cache at all, and I am seeing random other applications showing the same generic icon...

EDIT

Adding to the confusion... These applications which are showing the generic Windows icons indeed do have a proper icon. I right-click the EXE and go to Properties, and it has the correct icon displayed there. However, across Windows Explorer, including the Taskbar, these application icons are not showing. And that cache file does not exist.

EDIT

I've done a trial... I created a new user account on this system (Administrator) as this cache is on a per-user basis. Unfortunately this new user also has no icon cache. It's not that I just can't see the file - the file really isn't there, no matter what method I try to delete it (Windows Explorer, Command Prompt, even my own custom code).

EDIT

As suggested in comments in an answer, I checked the registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\ to only discover everything is missing from here. The only key here is Directory, whereas another normal install has hundreds of file extensions listed here.

Solution 1

A colleague of mine did a trial... He opened the Control Panel, and opened Default Programs. Windows appeared to do some work for a minute before it brought up the list of extensions. Then I checked the registry, and these registry entries were there. Once I rebooted Windows, BAM IconCache.db is there. Also, all the programs which weren't showing their proper icons were fixed. It appears the Windows Install didn't perform this task, and it had to be done manually through the Control Panel.

Solution 2

Some files will not show even if you show hidden.

To make sure you delete the icon cache, do this:

1. Open task manager.
2. In the Processes tab, click on explorer.exe and click End Process. You then get a confirmation dialog. Click "End Process" to confirm.
3. From the File menu (don't close task manager yet), choose New Task (Run...).
4. Run a command prompt (cmd).
5. In there, paste del %userprofile%\AppData\Local\IconCache.db /a
6. The the command prompt window, then type explorer.exe to reload the explorer and the UI
7. Check now, your icons should be fixed.

Comments

[Jerry Dodge]

I already tried the command prompt, that's when I concluded the file really does not exist.

[Overmind]

You should check registry file icons (by extension). That will show if something is wrong with the registry. Goto HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\‌​Explorer\FileExts . Check there what is the default icon and what rules apply.

[Jerry Dodge]

The only key under the FileExts folder is just Directory, whereas on a good install there are hundreds of file extensions listed here.

[Jerry Dodge]

Check my answer :D

[Jerry Dodge]

+1 though for hinting to that registry key, although in the comments.

[DavidPostill]

Please edit your answer and just include the steps required to fix the problem. The rest is just distracting commentary.