As a Windows 10 user, you may have experienced the dreaded red X on your desktop icons. It’s a frustrating problem and it can be difficult to remove. But don’t worry, here we’ll explain how to remove the red X from your desktop icons in Windows 10 so you can get back to business. We’ll cover the most common solutions and provide helpful tips to make sure the problem doesn’t happen again. So, let’s get started and get rid of that pesky red X! To remove the Red X on Desktop Icons in Windows 10, follow these steps: Right-click on the Desktop and select Personalize. Go to Themes > Desktop Icon Settings. Uncheck the box next to the icon you want to remove the Red X from. Click Apply and OK. Introduction to Removing Red X on Desktop Icons Windows 10 Do you have a red X on the desktop icons of your Windows 10? This can be a very annoying problem, but fortunately, it’s usually easy to fix. In this article, we’ll explain what causes red X on desktop icons and provide some simple solutions to help you get rid of it. What Causes Red X on Desktop Icons? The most common cause of red X on desktop icons is a corrupted icon cache. This is a file that contains information about the desktop icons, and if it becomes corrupted, it can cause the icons to display incorrectly. Other possible causes include missing or corrupted system files, outdated drivers, and malware. Corrupted Icon Cache A corrupted icon cache can be caused by Windows updates, newly installed programs, or changes to the display settings. To fix it, you’ll need to delete the icon cache file. This will force Windows to rebuild it, and your icons should start displaying correctly again. Missing or Corrupted System Files If the icon cache file isn’t corrupted, then the problem may be caused by missing or corrupted system files. To fix this, you can use the System File Checker (SFC) tool. This will scan your system and replace any missing or corrupted system files. Outdated Drivers Another possible cause of red X on desktop icons is outdated drivers. To fix this, you’ll need to update your drivers. You can do this manually by searching for the correct driver on the manufacturer’s website, or you can use a driver update tool to do it automatically. Malware If none of the above solutions work, then the problem could be caused by malware. Malware can cause all kinds of strange symptoms, and if it’s the cause of your issue, then you’ll need to scan your system with an anti-malware program. How to Fix Red X on Desktop Icons? Now that you know what causes red X on desktop icons, let’s take a look at some solutions. Delete Icon Cache File The first thing you should do is delete the icon cache file. This will force Windows to rebuild the file and may fix the issue. To do this, open the Run window (Windows key + R) and type “%LocalAppData%\IconCache.db”. This will open the folder containing the icon cache file. Delete the file and then restart your computer. Run System File Checker If deleting the icon cache file doesn’t fix the issue, then you should run the System File Checker (SFC). This will scan your system for missing or corrupted system files and replace them with the correct version. To run SFC, open the Command Prompt window (Windows key + S) and type “sfc /scannow”. Update Drivers If SFC doesn’t find any issues, then you should try updating your drivers. You can do this manually by searching for the correct driver on the manufacturer’s website, or you can use a driver update tool to do it automatically. Scan for Malware If none of the above solutions work, then the problem could be caused by malware. To fix this, you’ll need to scan your system with an anti-malware program. We recommend using a reputable program like Malwarebytes. Conclusion Red X on desktop icons can be a very annoying problem, but it’s usually easy to fix. In this article, we explained what causes red X on desktop icons and provided some simple solutions to help you get rid of it. Try deleting the icon cache file, running SFC, updating your drivers, and scanning for malware to fix the issue. Few Frequently Asked Questions Q1. Why do desktop icons have a red X in Windows 10? A1. The red X on desktop icons in Windows 10 usually indicates that the icon is missing or corrupt. This can be the result of a system failure, a virus, or some other issue that causes the icon to become disabled. The red X can also be caused by a missing or corrupted shortcut, or if the user has accidentally deleted the icon. Q2. How do I remove the red X on desktop icons in Windows 10? A2. To remove the red X from desktop icons in Windows 10, you need to repair the icon by replacing it with a valid version from a trusted source. First, you should try to restore the icon from a backup, if you have one. If that does not work, you can download the icon from a website, such as Microsoft’s website, or you can use the System File Checker tool to replace the corrupt icon. Q3. How do I restore a desktop icon in Windows 10? A3. To restore a desktop icon in Windows 10, you can use a backup or download the icon from a website, such as Microsoft’s website. If the icon was removed, you can use the System File Checker tool to replace the missing icon. To run the System File Checker, press Windows + X, select Command Prompt (Admin), and type sfc /scannow. Q4. What is the System File Checker tool? A4. The System File Checker (SFC) is a Windows utility that scans and repairs corrupted system files. It can be used to repair corrupted or missing system files, including desktop icons. To run the System File Checker, press Windows + X, select Command Prompt (Admin), and type sfc /scannow. Q5. How do I use the System File Checker? A5. To use the System File Checker, press Windows + X, select Command Prompt (Admin), and type sfc /scannow. This will scan and repair any corrupted or missing system files, including desktop icons. After the scan is complete, reboot your computer to apply the changes. Q6. Are there any other methods to remove the red X on desktop icons in Windows 10? A6. Yes, there are other methods to remove the red X on desktop icons in Windows 10. You can use the Windows Registry Editor to repair the icon. To do this, press Windows + R, type regedit, and press enter. Then, navigate to the following location: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile. Right-click on the lnkfile key and select Permissions. Make sure that the SYSTEM user has full control. Finally, reboot your computer to apply the changes. The Red X on the desktop icons can be a nuisance and make your Windows 10 experience less enjoyable. Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of it. Whether you choose to change your icon size, delete the icon cache, or try a registry fix, you can easily get rid of the Red X and get back to enjoying your Windows 10 desktop.