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How to Fix Windows Icons That Are Too Small or Unevenly Sized

2024/01/30
PC Repair

Key Notes

  • Rebuilding the icon cache resolves discrepancies in icon sizes.
  • Clearing the thumbnail cache may correct size issues with game shortcuts.
  • Converting URL shortcuts to executable shortcuts can fix icon size inconsistencies.

Resolving Icon Size Discrepancies on Windows 10/11

Are you facing an issue where some desktop icons on your Windows PC appear smaller than others, particularly affecting gaming shortcuts? This guide provides step-by-step solutions to restore uniformity among your desktop icons.

Main Solutions for Icon Size Issues

Step 1: Rebuild the Icon Cache

Windows maintains an icon cache to improve performance, but this can become corrupted, leading to abnormal icon sizes. To rebuild it, follow these steps:

  1. Close all open applications.
  2. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by typing ‘command’ in the Windows Search bar and selecting Run as administrator.
  3. Execute the following command to terminate File Explorer: taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
  4. Type the next commands line by line, pressing Enter after each: 
    cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer attrib -h iconcache_*.db from iconcache_*.db
  5. Restart the File Explorer process by executing: start explorer.exe

Pro Tip: Rebuilding the icon cache can fix a variety of icon display issues.

Step 2: Clear Thumbnail Cache

Clearing the thumbnail cache can resolve issues where icons are rendered incorrectly as thumbnail previews. Here’s how:

  1. Open Command Prompt with administrative rights.
  2. Execute the following commands one after another: 
    taskkill /f /im explorer.exe cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer attrib -h thumbcache_*.db del thumbcache_*.db start explorer.exe

Pro Tip: Consider using a dedicated utility like Thumbnail and Icon Cache Rebuilder for convenience.

Step 3: Convert URL Shortcuts to Normal Shortcuts

Some game shortcuts may appear smaller due to being of the ‘.url’ format. Here’s how to convert them to ‘.lnk’ format:

  1. Download the Url-Shortcut-to-Lnk-Converter from GitHub.
  2. Open the software and input the directory path containing your problematic game icons.
  3. Ensure the ‘Use Custom Icons’ option is checked, and input paths for any custom icons (.ICO files).
  4. Click on Convert to finalize the process.

Pro Tip: Ensure your icons have the same name as the corresponding shortcuts for proper functionality.

Step 4: Modify Icon Size using Registry Editor

Adjusting icon sizes in the Registry Editor is an advanced solution but effective. Here’s what to do:

  1. Open the Run dialog with Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
  2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics.
  3. Look for Shell Icon Size. If it’s missing, create a new String Value and set it to your desired size (default is 32).
  4. Then, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop, locate IconSize, modify its value to your preferred size, and change the base to Decimal.
  5. Restart your PC for changes to take effect.

Pro Tip: Always back up your registry before making changes to prevent system issues.

Additional Tips

  • Verify and update your graphics drivers regularly.
  • After fixing icons, restart your computer to ensure changes are applied globally.
  • Maintain icon standardization by checking that all icons have appropriate files.

Summary

This guide provided insight into why some desktop icons on Windows 10/11 may appear smaller than others, outlining effective strategies such as rebuilding the icon cache, clearing the thumbnail cache, converting URL shortcuts, and modifying sizes through the Registry Editor. Implementing these steps should help restore consistency among your desktop icons.

Conclusion

Implementing the solutions outlined in this guide can effectively resolve discrepancies in icon sizes on your desktop. Consistency in icon presentation contributes to a visually appealing and organized workspace. If issues persist after trying these methods, consider further diagnostic steps or consult technical support.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How can I adjust icon sizes directly from the desktop?

Right-click on an empty area of your desktop, hover over View, and select between Large icons, Medium icons, or Small icons to adjust their sizes.

What should I do if none of the steps resolve my icon size issue?

If issues persist after following all steps in this guide, consider reaching out to Microsoft support or check forums focusing on Windows troubleshooting for assistance.

PC Repair