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Question

Icons flicker when opening folders in apps then turn back.

Mar 24, 2018 8:57AM PDT

My desktop icons are turning into blank pages and quickly back to normal when I try to open a file browser from within any application. I've gone through everything with Microsoft and HP to troubleshoot it and reinstall all of the relevant hardware drivers. I just installed this Windows a few days ago. I have another updated Windows 10 machine where this happens, too but with much less frequency and they blink much more quickly. On that machine, often it doesn't happen at all. It only has two non-MS apps installed, this one has like 10...all heavy duty 3D and 2D graphics applications.

Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Yep.
Mar 24, 2018 9:25AM PDT

Seen that in Windows 1 to 10. It's a thing.

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Thanks
Mar 24, 2018 12:12PM PDT

Didn't happen before....just re-installed windows the other day then it started. If you don't think it can lead to any kind of corruption then I'm cool. I had all kinds of issues on my previous installs caused by MS tech support tinkering with my windows and it was a rabbit hole nightmare. Thanks. I'd still like to get rid of it if I can and I appreciate your time.

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It's been annoying folk since about Windows 2.x
Mar 24, 2018 12:49PM PDT

At home and office (a little over 100 machines) we do our own installs. But this annoying thing has not been one that I track down.

If this is that bothersome it's probably time to bail on Windows for Linux or Apple. I may upset folk here but there are areas that Windows is just going to be annoying. This is one of them.

If we were to chat over lunch I could get into why Windows File Explorer and the Desktop does this but it's too much to type here.

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mac
Mar 24, 2018 1:47PM PDT

I can't use apple due to an CG app that I run to engineer my models for 3d printing. I'd switch in a second.

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Answer
Here's the most common reason for flicker which is...
Mar 24, 2018 1:13PM PDT

The folder icon refreshing. If you say have an icon in the desktop pointing to an app or folder and you open that folder, Windows MIGHT (the rules are unclear when this is triggered but often when WFE rebuilds the cache) rebuild the thumbnail cache. The icon on the desktop will refresh to be sure it's current.

Also this happens when you have a lot of folders or files and the BAGS is too small.
https://www.askvg.com/how-to-fix-annoying-folder-view-type-problem-in-windows-vista/ notes this registry value.

So a clean install will be fine, then the user loads up the PC and this will happen.

Not a bug.

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thanks
Mar 24, 2018 1:51PM PDT

I'm accessing files on my c drive only related to the file browser within the app that I'm using and all of the desktop icons turn to the blank page icon and back. I don't feel secure enough to mess with the registry but I really appreciate your time, help, and expertise.
Thanks!

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Which is pretty much what happens when the bags run out.
Mar 24, 2018 1:57PM PDT

You can google about MRU BAGS for more detail. I hope you understand I try to keep it light and point where to learn more.

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appreciate it
Mar 24, 2018 1:59PM PDT

No, I appreciate it. I'm a whiz at 3d sculpting but am shaky on the windows and hardware end...trying. Thank you, really.