- FIX: Windows 10 app icons are not showing correctly
- SOLVED: Windows 10 app icons not showing
- 1. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter
- 2. Repair or reset apps
- 3. Run SFC scan
- 4. Rebuild the icon cache
- 5. Additional solutions
- Understand the different apps included in Windows 10
- Provisioned Windows apps
- System apps
- Installed Windows apps
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Today, while going through the latest updates on my primary Windows 10 laptop and my secondary Windows 8.1 laptop, I realized that there were some issues with the apps icons. As you can see for yourself in the screenshot below, the thumbnails for certain apps is missing, which isn’t necessarily a big issue, but if it were to happen to even more apps, or to all of them, then we must agree that it would’ve looked kind of ugly, isn’t it so?
SOLVED: Windows 10 app icons not showing
- Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter
- Repair or reset apps
- Run SFC
- Rebuild the icon cache
- Additional solutions
What I must say, however, is that my “old” laptop hasn’t been yet updated to the latest Windows Store look, so this could be a potential problem. Meanwhile, I scoured the forums to find some solutions and here’s what I found.
1. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter
If there is something wrong with your Windows 10 Apps, the first thing you need to do is run the built-in app troubleshooter. With the help of this tool, you can quickly fix various issues affecting your apps, including app freezes, crashes or missing app icons.
In order to launch the app troubleshooter, go to Settings, click on Update & Security and then select troubleshoot. Locate the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter and run it.
2. Repair or reset apps
Another quick solutions consists in repairing or resetting the problematic apps. This solution often works especially if only certain app icons are not showing up. Here are the steps to follow:
- Go to Settings > select Apps
- Go to Apps & Features and select the problematic app
- Select Advanced options and first try to repair the app.
- If the app icon is still missing, you can also use the reset option.
3. Run SFC scan
If the problem persists, try running a System File Checker scan. Corrupted or missing system files may also cause some app icons not to show up.
To run SFC, simply launch Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the sfc /scannow command. Hit Enter and wait for the scanning process to complete.
4. Rebuild the icon cache
If your Windows 10 icons are not showing correctly even after following the instructions listed below, try rebuilding your icon cache.
- Go to C:Users%username%AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsExplorer
- Delete all the icon files listed in the respective folder in order to rebuild and purge the icon cache.
- Restart your PC and check if the app icons are available.
5. Additional solutions
- Change your display resolution
- Uninstall recently installed software and updates, especially if the problem occurred shortly after you installed the latest updates.
- Uninstall the problematic apps
- Run an in-depth antivirus scan
- Create a new user account and check if the app icon problem persists
- Disable Tablet Mode
- Disconnect your second monitor if you’re using one.
Have you experienced a similar problem, by any chance? And if so, what have you done to solve it? My advice is to make sure you have deployed the latest update which brings a new and much needed visual revamp to the Windows Store, as that might prove to be quite helpful.
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Understand the different apps included in Windows 10
The following types of apps run on Windows 10:
- Windows apps — introduced in Windows 8, primarily installed from the Store app.
- Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps — designed to work across platforms, can be installed on multiple platforms including Windows client, Windows Phone, and Xbox. All UWP apps are also Windows apps, but not all Windows apps are UWP apps.
- «Win32» apps — traditional Windows applications.
Digging into the Windows apps, there are two categories:
- Apps — All other apps, installed in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps. There are two classes of apps:
- Provisioned: Installed in user account the first time you sign in with a new user account.
- Installed: Installed as part of the OS.
- System apps — Apps that are installed in the C:\Windows* directory. These apps are integral to the OS.
The following tables list the system apps, installed Windows apps, and provisioned Windows apps in a standard Windows 10 Enterprise installation. (If you have a custom image, your specific apps might differ.) The tables list the app, the full name, show the app’s status in Windows 10 version 1709, 1803, and 1809 and indicate whether an app can be uninstalled through the UI.
Some of the apps show up in multiple tables — that’s because their status changed between versions. Make sure to check the version column for the version you are currently running.
Provisioned Windows apps
You can list all provisioned Windows apps with this PowerShell command:
Here are the provisioned Windows apps in Windows 10 versions 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909, and 2004.
| Package name | App name | 1803 | 1809 | 1903 | 1909 | 2004 | Uninstall through UI? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft.3DBuilder | 3D Builder | Yes | |||||
| Microsoft.BingWeather | MSN Weather | x | x | x | x | x | Yes |
| Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller | App Installer | x | x | x | x | x | Via Settings App |
| Microsoft.GetHelp | Get Help | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.Getstarted | Microsoft Tips | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.HEIFImageExtension | HEIF Image Extensions | x | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.Messaging | Microsoft Messaging | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.Microsoft3DViewer | Mixed Reality Viewer | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHub | Office | x | x | x | x | x | Yes |
| Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection | Microsoft Solitaire Collection | x | x | x | x | x | Yes |
| Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes | Microsoft Sticky Notes | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.MixedReality.Portal | Mixed Reality Portal | x | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.MSPaint | Paint 3D | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.Office.OneNote | OneNote for Windows 10 | x | x | x | x | x | Yes |
| Microsoft.OneConnect | Mobile Plans | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.Outlook.DesktopIntegrationServices | x | x | |||||
| Microsoft.People | Microsoft People | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.Print3D | Print 3D | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.ScreenSketch | Snip & Sketch | x | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.SkypeApp | Skype | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.StorePurchaseApp | Store Purchase App | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.VP9VideoExtensions | x | x | x | x | No | ||
| Microsoft.Wallet | Microsoft Pay | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.WebMediaExtensions | Web Media Extensions | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.WebpImageExtension | Webp Image Extension | x | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.Windows.Photos | Microsoft Photos | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.WindowsAlarms | Windows Alarms & Clock | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.WindowsCalculator | Windows Calculator | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.WindowsCamera | Windows Camera | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps | Mail and Calendar | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.WindowsFeedbackHub | Feedback Hub | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.WindowsMaps | Windows Maps | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorder | Windows Voice Recorder | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.WindowsStore | Microsoft Store | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.Xbox.TCUI | Xbox Live in-game experience | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.XboxApp | Xbox Console Companion | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.XboxGameOverlay | Xbox Game Bar Plugin | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay | Xbox Game Bar | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider | Xbox Identity Provider | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.XboxSpeechToTextOverlay | x | x | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.YourPhone | Your Phone | x | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.ZuneMusic | Groove Music | x | x | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.ZuneVideo | Movies & TV | x | x | x | x | x | No |
The Store app can’t be removed. If you want to remove and reinstall the Store app, you can only bring Store back by either restoring your system from a backup or resetting your system. Instead of removing the Store app, you should use group policies to hide or disable it.
System apps
System apps are integral to the operating system. Here are the typical system apps in Windows 10 versions 1709, 1803, and 1809.
You can list all system apps with this PowerShell command:
| Name | Package Name | 1709 | 1803 | 1809 | Uninstall through UI? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| File Picker | 1527c705-839a-4832-9118-54d4Bd6a0c89 | x | x | No | |
| File Explorer | c5e2524a-ea46-4f67-841f-6a9465d9d515 | x | x | No | |
| App Resolver UX | E2A4F912-2574-4A75-9BB0-0D023378592B | x | x | No | |
| Add Suggested Folders To Library | F46D4000-FD22-4DB4-AC8E-4E1DDDE828FE | x | x | No | |
| InputApp | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.AAD.Broker.Plugin | Microsoft.AAD.Broker.Plugin | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.AccountsControl | Microsoft.AccountsControl | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.AsyncTextService | Microsoft.AsyncTextService | x | x | No | |
| Hello setup UI | Microsoft.BioEnrollment | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.CredDialogHost | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.ECApp | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.LockApp | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft Edge | Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.MicrosoftEdgeDevToolsClient | x | x | No | ||
| Microsoft.PPIProjection | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.Win32WebViewHost | x | x | No | ||
| Microsoft.Windows.Apprep.ChxApp | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.Windows.AssignedAccessLockApp | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.Windows.CapturePicker | x | x | No | ||
| Microsoft.Windows.CloudExperienceHost | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager | x | x | x | No | |
| Cortana | Microsoft.Windows.Cortana | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.Windows.Holographic.FirstRun | x | x | No | ||
| Microsoft.Windows.OOBENetworkCaptivePort | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.Windows.OOBENetworkConnectionFlow | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.Windows.ParentalControls | x | x | x | No | |
| People Hub | Microsoft.Windows.PeopleExperienceHost | x | x | x | No |
| Microsoft.Windows.PinningConfirmationDialog | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.Windows.SecHealthUI | x | x | x | No | |
| Microsoft.Windows.SecondaryTileExperience | x | No | |||
| Microsoft.Windows.SecureAssessmentBrowser | x | x | x | No | |
| Start | Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | x | x | x | No |
| Windows Feedback | Microsoft.WindowsFeedback | * | No | ||
| Microsoft.XboxGameCallableUI | x | x | x | No | |
| Windows.CBSPreview | x | x | No | ||
| Contact Support* | Windows.ContactSupport | * | Via Settings App | ||
| Settings | Windows.immersivecontrolpanel | x | x | x | No |
| Print 3D | Windows.Print3D | x | x | Yes | |
| Print UI | Windows.PrintDialog | x | x | x | No |
The Contact Support app changed to Get Help in version 1709. Get Help is a provisioned app (instead of system app like Contact Support).
Installed Windows apps
Here are the typical installed Windows apps in Windows 10 versions 1709, 1803, and 1809.
