Member Avatar for Edrown04

On Win XP Pro, all of the Desktop Icons suddenly disappeared. Now I when I drag an Shortcut to the Desktop, it won't stick.

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Short add-on to the helpful replies from and — since confirmed that toggling the visibility fixed it, that’s the likely culprit. For future troubleshooting when icons disappear or dragged shortcuts “won’t stick,” the following checks cover causes the earlier replies didn’t mention.

First, verify the desktop actually contains the files. Browse in Explorer to C:\Documents and Settings\<your-username>\Desktop and C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop. If your shortcut appears there but not on the screen, Explorer/desktop rendering or the icon cache is the problem. If the file never appears in those folders after you drag it, it’s a permissions or profile issue.

Next, check for profile/redirect/policy problems. If the profile is temporary (you’re logged into a temp profile) or the Desktop folder has been redirected by a domain policy, new items won’t persist for your normal account. On standalone machines check NTFS permissions on your Desktop folder; on domain machines ask the admin about folder redirection or desktop restrictions (local group policy can also hide desktop items).

Quick remedies that often fix persistent or intermittent disappearances: restart Explorer (end/restart explorer.exe), rebuild the icon cache (%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\IconCache.db), run sfc /scannow if system files seem corrupted, or use System Restore if the problem started after a change. Be careful editing the registry or group policy — back up first. These steps cover the less obvious root causes if the simple visibility toggle comes back or dragging still doesn’t stick.

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Member Avatar for frenemy

right-click on your desktop > arrange icons > show desktop icons

if this isn't what you're referring to, right-click on the taskbar > properties > start menu > classic start menu > apply

Member Avatar for amadpig

On Win XP Pro, all of the Desktop Icons suddenly disappeared. Now I when I drag an Shortcut to the Desktop, it won't stick.

You haven't accidently hidden desktop Icons have you?

Right click on the desktop & select "Arrange Icons By" & make sure "Show Desktop Icons" is checked.

Just a thought :D

Member Avatar for Edrown04

Actually, I didn't do it, but a friend did and could not explain to me what she had done to cause them to disappear. Thnks for the help it should solve the problem and make me look smart.

Member Avatar for amadpig

yw, pleased it helped

:D

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